Mastercraftsman

Mastercraftsman
Racing silks of Derrick Smith
SireDanehill Dancer
GrandsireDanehill
DamStarlight Dreams
DamsireBlack Tie Affair
SexStallion
Foaled(2006-02-19)19 February 2006
Died13 August 2021(2021-08-13) (aged 15)
CountryIreland
ColourGrey
BreederLynch Bages Ltd.
OwnerDerrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor
TrainerAidan O'Brien
Record11:7-1-1
Earnings£976,946
Major wins
Railway Stakes (2008)
Phoenix Stakes (2008)
National Stakes (2008)
Irish 2,000 Guineas (2009)
St. James's Palace Stakes (2009)
Diamond Stakes (2009)
Awards
European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt (2008)

Mastercraftsman (19 February 2006 – 13 August 2021) was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. The four-time Group One-winning colt was trained by Aidan O'Brien and was ridden by Johnny Murtagh in all of his wins. He was out of mare Starlight Dreams and by top stallion Danehill Dancer.

Racing career

2008: two-year-old season

Mastercraftsman's career began in a six-furlong maiden at the Curragh in May 2008, where he won by half a length. He won two more races over 6 furlongs at the Curragh, the group 2 Railway stakes and group 1 Phoenix stakes. His second group 1 win came when stepped up in trip to 7 furlongs in the National Stakes. It was not until his first race outside Ireland that he was defeated. He was beaten into fourth place by the Freddy Head trained Naaqoos in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at Maisons-Laffitte in France. Nevertheless, wins in three important conditions races earned Mastercraftsman 2008 European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors.[1]

2009: three-year-old season

Mastercraftsman's first race of 2009 was the English 2000 Guineas ridden by Pat Smullen. The race was won by Sea the Stars with Mastercraftsman finishing in 5th place and behind Aidan O'Brien's other runner Rip Van Winkle. Success came in the Irish version of the classic with Mastercraftsman starting favourite and going on to win by 4 and a half lengths. A few weeks later he returned to England to win the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Mastercraftsman contested the International Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes finishing in 2nd and 3rd place respectively behind winner Sea the Stars. He easily won the Group 3 Diamond Stakes as odds on favourite before a trip to the Breeders' Cup. He was favourite to win his last race the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile but could only manage 4th place behind the Kentucky Cup Classic winner Furthest Land.[2]

Stud career

Mastercaftsman was retired to stand at Coolmore Stud in 2010.[3] He died from a suspected heart attack at Coolmore on 13 August 2021.[4]

Notable stock

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled Name Sex Major Wins
2011 Amazing Maria f Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild
2011 Kingston Hill c Racing Post Trophy, St Leger Stakes
2011 Saint Emilion g New Zealand Stakes
2011 Thee Auld Floozie f Thorndon Mile
2011 The Grey Gatsby c French Derby, Irish Champion Stakes
2012 Off Limits f Matriarch Stakes
2012 Valley Girl f Herbie Dyke Stakes
2013 A Raving Beauty f Just a Game Stakes
2014 Danzdanzdance f Captain Cook Stakes, Zabeel Classic
2015 Alpha Centauri f Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois
2015 Ya Primo g Derby de Chile, Gran Premio Latinoamericano
2016 Technician c Prix Royal-Oak
2019 Discoveries f Moyglare Stud Stakes
  1. ^ Racing Post
  2. ^ Racing Post
  3. ^ "Mastercraftsman retired; 2010 Coolmore fees". Blood Horse. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  4. ^ Thomas, James (13 August 2021). "Leading sire Mastercraftsman succumbs to suspected heart attack aged 15". Racing Post Bloodstock. Retrieved 13 August 2021.