Marsyas (horse)
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| Marsyas II | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Trimdon |
| Grandsire | Son-in-Law |
| Dam | Astronomie |
| Damsire | Asterus |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 1940 |
| Country | France |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Marcel Boussac |
| Owner | Marcel Boussac |
| Trainer | Charles Semblat |
| Record | 27: 17-4-5 |
| Major wins | |
| Prix de Lutèce (1943) Prix du Cadran (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947) Prix Kergorlay (1944) Prix Gladiateur (1944) Prix Jean Prat (1944, 1945) White Rose Stakes (1946) Queen Alexandra Stakes (1946) Goodwood Cup (1946) Doncaster Cup (1946) Lowther Stakes (1946) | |
| Last updated on December 19, 2006 | |
Marsyas II (1940–1964) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the dominant stayer in France in the mid 1940's winning four consecutive editions of the 4,000 meter Prix du Cadran between 1944 and 1947. He proved equally successful when campaigned in Britain in 1946.
Background
Marsyas was a chestnut horse foaled at Marcel Boussac's Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard in Neuvy-au-Houlme in Lower Normandy. He was sired by the British-bred stallion Trimdon winner of the Ascot Gold Cup in 1931 and 1932. Marsyas'sdam was the very important mare, Astronomie, whose other progeny included the Ascot Gold Cup winners Caracalla and Arbar, and the Epsom Oaks winner Asmena.
Racing career
Considered one of the best stayer's ever to compete in France, Marsyas had an extraordinarily successful career both there and in England. Of his seventeen career starts, he was unplaced only once and that was in the 1944 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Having won many of France's other prominent races, including the 6,200 meter Prix Gladiateur, in 1946 his owner sent him to race in England where he won five important races in a row. After claiming victory in his sixth English race, less than a week later Marsyas competed in the Jockey Club Cup where he finished third.[1]
Stud record
Retired to stud, Marsyas met with good success but none of his progeny achieved his own level of racing success. One of his sons, Macip, won the Prix Royal Oak in 1955 and the Ascot Gold Cup in 1956. He died on May 30, 1964.
References
- ^ Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.