Embassy (horse)

Embassy (24 March 1995 – 2016 ) was a British champion Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She won three of her four starts as a two-year-old including the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes and the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes. She was named European Champion Two-year-old Filly at the Cartier Racing Awards, and was the highest rated two-year-old filly in the International Classification. At the end of her two-year-old season she was transferred to the Godolphin Racing team, but never ran again.

Embassy
Racing colours of Sheikh Mohammed
SireCadeaux Genereux
GrandsireYoung Generation
DamPass the Peace
DamsireAlzao
SexMare
Foaled24 March 1995
CountryUnited Kingdom
ColourBay
BreederSheikh Mohammed
OwnerSheikh Mohammed
TrainerDavid Loder
Record4: 3-1-0
Earnings£109,950
Major wins
Princess Margaret Stakes (1997)
Cheveley Park Stakes (1997)
Awards
European Champion Two-year-old Filly
Last updated on June 22, 2007

Background

Embassy was bred by her owner Sheikh Mohammed. She was sired by the sprinter Cadeaux Genereux out of Pass the Peace.[1]

Cadeaux Genereux won several major sprint races including the Nunthorpe Stakes and the July Cup. At stud he sired over 1,000 winners including Touch of the Blues (Atto Mile), Bijou d'Inde (St James's Palace Stakes) and Toylsome (Prix de la Forêt).[2] Pass The Peace won the Cheveley Park Stakes in 1988 and was also the dam of the Pretty Polly Stakes winner Tarfshi.

Embassy was trained for all her races by David Loder at Newmarket, Suffolk.

Racing career

1997: two-year-old season

Embassy began her career as the odds-on favourite for a maiden race at Newmarket. Pat Eddery tracked the leaders on Embassy before sending her into the lead a furlong out and winning by one and a quarter lengths from a field that included the future May Hill Stakes winner Midnight Line.[3]

Just over two weeks later, Embassy was stepped up to Group Three level for the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot, for which she was made joint-favourite with Miss Zafonic. Embassy moved into the lead inside the last quarter mile and went clear to win by two lengths.[4]

For her next start Embassy was sent to York for the Group Two Lowther Stakes, in which she was matched against the Queen Mary Stakes winner Nadwah and the highly regarded Cape Verdi. Embassy took the lead, but drifted left inside the final furlong and was caught on the line and beaten a short head by Cape Verdi, who was receiving three pounds.[5] Pat Eddery received some criticism from observers who felt that he had been too easy on Embassy in the closing stages.[6]

On her final start, Embassy met Cape Verdi again in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket in which she was ridden by Kieren Fallon. Since the York race Cape Verdi had been bought by Godolphin, and she started the 11/8 favourite ahead of Embassy on 5/2. Fallon held his filly up in the early stages before bringing her up to challenge for the lead a furlong out. Embassy quickened well and pulled clear of the field to win by two and a half lengths from Crazee Mental, with Cape Verdi fourth.[7] After the race Loder paid tribute to the filly's "tremendous acceleration" and the bookmakers made her 6/1 clear favourite for the following year's 1000 Guineas.[8]

1998: three-year-old season

Embassy was transferred by Sheikh Mohammed to the Godolphin racing team and joined the stable of Saeed bin Suroor. She spent the winter in Dubai and was returned to England the following spring. She was identified by Godolphin's racing manager, Simon Crisford as one of Godolphin's biggest hopes for 1998, despite a "minor scare" in training in March which required veterinary attention.[9] A disappointing performance in a private Godolphin trial in April saw her supplanted by Cape Verdi at the head of the betting for the Guineas.[10] Embassy was still expected to run in the 1000 Guineas, but a few days before the event it was announced that she had not made the expected progress and would miss the race.[11]

Embassy never recovered her form and her retirement was announced in August 1998.[12]

Race record
Date Race Dist (f) Course Class Prize (£K) Odds Runners Placing Margin Time Jockey Trainer
10 July 1997 Chippenham Lodge Maiden Stakes 6 Newmarket July M 6 10/11 13 1 1.25 1:14.00 Pat Eddery David Loder
26 July 1997 Princess Margaret Stakes 6 Ascot 3 23 5/2 7 1 2 1:16.80 Pat Eddery David Loder
21 August 1997 Lowther Stakes 6 York 2 45 11/4 9 2 short head 1:12.48 Pat Eddery David Loder
30 September 1997 Cheveley Park Stakes 6 Newmarket Rowley 1 63 5/2 8 1 2.5 1:12.26 Kieren Fallon David Loder

Assessment

In the International Classification for 1997, Embassy was given a rating of 118, making her officially the best two-year-old filly in Europe.[13]

She was also named European Champion Two-year-old filly at the Cartier Racing Awards.[14]

Stud career

At stud Embassy has produced at least four minor winners: Diplomatic, Grosvenor Square, Felicitous and Gleneagles.[15] She also produced Politesse, who was the dam of the Prix Maurice de Gheest winner King's Apostle.

Embassy was scheduled to be auctioned in December 2009 at Tattersalls, but was withdrawn from sale.[16]

Pedigree
Pedigree of Embassy (GB), bay mare, 1995[17]
Sire
Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
1985		 Young Generation
1976		 Balidar Will Somers
Violet Bank
Brig O' Doon Shantung
Tam O' Shanter
Smarten Up
1975　		 Sharpen Up Atan
Rocchetta
Languissola Soderini
Posh
Dam
Pass the Peace (IRE)
1986		 Alzao
1980　		 Lyphard Northern Dancer
Goofed
Lady Rebecca Sir Ivor
Pocahontas
Lover's Rose
1976		 King Emperor Bold Ruler
Irish Jay
Nonnie Dumbarnie
Rossenhall (Family: 8f)

References
  1. "Embassy pedigree". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  2. "Cadeaux Genereux Stud Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  3. "Chippenham Lodge Maiden result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  4. "Princess Margaret Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  5. "Lowther Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  6. "Embassy tipped to hold Cape". The Independent. 1997-09-30. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  7. "Cheveley Park Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  8. "Embassy raises standard". The Independent. 1997-10-01. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  9. "Embassy heads Godolphin team". The Independent. 1998-03-27. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  10. "Cape overshadows Embassy in desert". The Independent. 1998-04-13. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  11. "Godolphin delegation drops Embassy". The Independent. 1998-05-01. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  12. "Verdi to race on but Embassy is retired". 1998-08-22. Retrieved 2011-09-26 – via The Free Library.
  13. "Celebre earns place among greats". The Independent. 1998-01-14. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  14. "Cartier Awards – standings". Sportingpost.co.za. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  15. "Embassy Statistics". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  16. "Pass The Peace (GB) Statistics". Racing Post. Retrieved 2011-09-26.
  17. "Embassy pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
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