Heroic (horse)
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| Heroic | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sire | Valais (GB) |
| Grandsire | Cicero |
| Dam | Chersonese (GB) |
| Damsire | Cylgad |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1 August 1921 |
| Died | 12 December 1939 (aged 18) |
| Country | Australia |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Arrowfield Stud |
| Owner | JB Corten then CB Kellow[1] |
| Trainer | Cecil Godby then Jack Holt |
| Record | 51: 21-11-4 |
| Earnings | £38,062[2] |
| Major wins | |
| Maribyrnong Plate (1923) Breeders' Plate (1923) Australian Derby (1924) Caulfield Guineas (1924) Champagne Stakes (1924) Chelmsford Stakes (1924) Ascot Vale Stakes (1924) Caulfield Stakes (1925) Memsie Stakes (1925, 1926) W. S. Cox Plate (1926) Newmarket Handicap (1926) Underwood Stakes (1926) William Reid Stakes (1927) C F Orr Stakes (1927) St George Stakes (1927) | |
| Awards | |
| Leading sire in Australia (1933 -1939) | |
| Honours | |
| Australian Racing Hall of Fame (2003) Heroic Championship at Randwick Racecourse | |
| Last updated on 23 August 2010 | |
Heroic (1921–1939) was an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse who won 21 races from 5 furlongs (1,000 metres) to 2 miles (3,200m) and was a leading sire in Australia.
Heroic was sired by Valais (by the 1905 Epsom Derby winner, Cicero), his dam was Chersonese (GB) by Cyglad. This made him inbred twice in the 3rd generation to Cyllene and in the 3rd and 4th generations (4x3) to Illuminata through the half-sisters Gas, dam of Cicero and Chelandry. Heroic was a brother to the useful sire, Thracian and a half-brother to the stakeswinner, Cimbrian.[3]
Heroic was an outstanding type of yearling that fetched the top price of 1,800 guineas at the Inglis’ bloodstock sales.[2]
Racing record
He was trained by Jack Holt who posthumously would become part of the 2001 inaugural class inducted in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
At two years: 1923-1924
Heroic’s stakes wins were:
- 1923 AJC Breeders Plate 5 furlongs
- 1923 VRC Maribyrnong Plate 5 furlongs
- 1924 AJC Champagne Stakes 6 f
- 1924 VRC Ascot Vale Stakes 6 furlongs
During this season he had a total of 10 race starts for 6 wins and 2 thirds.[4]
At three years: 1924-1925
His stakes wins were:
- 1924 AJC Australian Derby 12 furlongs
- 1924 Chelmsford Stakes over 9 furlongs, defeating Gloaming by 1½ lengths.
- 1924 VATC Caulfield Guineas 8 furlongs
Following this race Heroic’s nominations for the VRC Derby and Melbourne Cup were rejected. This was as a result of Heroic’s connections being disqualified because of their failure to allow a stable-mate to race on his merits.[4]
In February 1925, C.B. Kellow paid 16,000 guineas, a record price, for the great Heroic, who won a number of races for him afterwards including his only other win for the season, the weight for age (w.f.a.) AJC Autumn Stakes over 12 furlongs.[2]
At four years: 1925-1926
Heroic’s principal wins for this season were:
- 1925 VATC Memsie Stakes 9F
- 1925 w.f.a. Caulfield Stakes 9F
- 1926 VRC Newmarket Handicap with 9 st 8 lbs (61 kg)
- 1926 w.f.a. AJC Cumberland Stakes over 14 furlongs defeating the good horse, Windbag.
During this season Heroic had 18 starts for 4 wins and 9 placings.[2]
At five years: 1926-1927
Starting his five-year-old racing season in Melbourne Heroic won his first six starts against top horses. These wins were:
- 1926 w.f.a. Williamstown Underwood Stakes 8 furlongs
- 1926 VATC Memsie Stakes over 9F carrying 9 st 11 lbs (62 kg) and beating Manfred.
- 1926 w.f.a. W. S. Cox Plate 10F
- 1927 MVRC William Reid Stakes 6F
- 1927 Wmtn RC C F Orr Stakes 8F
- 1927 VATC St George Stakes 9F
He was then unplaced in the VRC Newmarket Handicap before he finished second to Spearfelt in the VRC Governors Plate. At his next start he won the VRC King's Plate. Taken to Sydney he failed to place in his next four starts and was retired.