The next edition in the series brings us to KINGSMAN, the second Triple Crown series winner in TK history. He showed tremendous promise at age 2, developed into a force at age 3, and was a champion at age 4. He won all the medium distances world cup races, ranging from 1500-1800m, from fast to slow ground, for his age group, something that has never been done before. Lets have a look at his racing career from two to six years old.
Pedigree
Kingsman, foaled at Manor Park Stud on April 3, 2015, is a nineteen hand roan colt sired by Fanatic and out of Serenity, a champion mare by Manor Park Stud’s top sire, Guaranteed. Serenity was the winner of four age world cups, the 2yo Long Breeders cup, Cox Plate, Aussie Clothing Down Under Long and Platinum Plate. She also produced Patrobas, a 7-time world cup winner and Savannah Flyer, winner of the Jewel of The Mile. It was unnecessary to go beyond the first generation to see the quality of Kingsman‘s breeding, but his name hinted at ancestors such as the Epic Breeders Cup winner Hairboy, and Sprinter Shield winner Jobim. Few racehorses possess conformation that is good enough to be compared to that of Kingsman. The well bred roan colt epitomizes everything horsemen seek with regards to appearance. For more information on his pedigree click here.
Racing at 2
Kingsman broke his maiden at first asking, by winning the Champagne Stakes at Mato Grosso Racecourse from the Dopey Donkey Digs runner Not Very Good. He was confidently handled by Matilda Lescano. He seized early control of the race, leading his ten rivals through an opening quarter in :24.967 with Mister Hankey tracking in second. He was still calling the shots through a half-mile in :49.019. Matilda revved Kingsman up in the last quarter, and kept on resolutely to the line to came home a four-length winner.
Not Very Good rallied to get second in a tight finish, while Endangered Prophet secured a place cheque in third.
Racing at 3
Four weeks later they met again, this time at Sydney Harbour Racecourse. The roan son of Fanatic was again triumphant, romping home by a big margin in the Australian Spring Guineas. He found the perfect partner in Nickole Bushweller and they would go on to dominate the medium cups at a later stage.
“While the Champagne was a good result it wasn’t until this race that I first thought Kingsman might be a little bit above average. In winning the Guineas he did so in the fastest ever time for the great race. A feat in itself but when you factor in the race was moved to be 7 weeks earlier than its old date to fit the new cup schedule it was an amazing run.” – Manor Park Stud
Next up was the 3yo Middle Breeders Cup, Kingsman extended his long stride near the last quarter mark and quickly opened a small advantage, then the 3-year-old son of Fanatic seemed to punch through to another amazing level, drawing off to score by a few lengths in the nine furlong race.
Racing at 4
Kingsman was particularly impressive defeating mudlarks in The Lowe Guineas, racing most of the way on the lead and turning away Quentin Silverwood in the stretch to win by a widening margin. The son of Fanatic covered nine furlongs over Sydney Harbour’s slow track in 1:51.044, cementing jockey Nickole Bushweller and trainer Manor Park Stud’s recently renewed relationship.
In a brilliantly confident display of reinsmanship in the Australian Cup, jockey Nickole Bushweller won his sixth world cup. He was happy to make the run, and when he did, he controlled the race perfectly. He kicked at the right time, and really the race was over from a long way out.
Excitement was high for The Jewel Of The Mile, as it was the last leg of the 4yo medium Triple Crown series. Kingsman wasted no time making things a three-horse skirmish, but that battle was quickly decided. After a opening quarter of :24.308 Kingsman put away his rivals, ending any thoughts of a stretch duel when he glided in the lead to trigger a stretch-long celebration. Kingsman has now achieved what no other horse, was ever able to do, that is to win the Lowe Guineas, Australian Cup and Jewel Of The Mile. In the process becoming the 2nd Triple Crown series winner.
“The Jewel Of The Mile final was the crowning glory of a great season. Kingsman handled the first two rounds so well confidence was sky high coming into the last leg and was probably the first time we tested him to anywhere near his maximum.” – Manor Park Stud
Racing at 5
The Pegasus Plate was contested on a fast track, and as usual Kingsman used his tactical speed to grab an early lead over Endangered Prophet. He did what he does best and cruised into his easy, effortless stride through a first quarter in :24.433 and a half in :48.4616. Not Very Good made her move in the final turn, with Rum ‘n’ Porn between them. Kingsman needed to be really, really good today to beat those two. He showed his will to win, to edge out his rivals, by a small margin.
“The race I thought the winning cup run was over. Still to this day I’m not sure what happened, possibly the fast ground, but he seemed to hit a flat spot for a few strides coming into the straight then picked up again in the final quarter. Crossing the line I actually thought we’d lost the race as Rum ‘n’ Porn’s finishing speed was so impressive.” – Manor Park Stud
Racing at 6
In the Movember Crown over good ground, Kingsman simply destroyed the field.
“You were born to win, but to be a winner you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.” – Zig Ziglar
In summary
As you scroll down the great horse-jockey partnerships, it raises the question whether the horse makes the jockey or a jockey’s success is measured solely by a great horse? Kingsman’s achievements are virtually insurmountable, but even though he was a natural athlete and racer, the part played by Nickole Bushweller as ‘supporting role’ shouldn’t be underestimated. More than once, Nickole has said how humbled he is to be given the opportunity to ride such an equine freak. “I just go along for the ride,” he quipped.
“The thing that stands out about him is not only the ability to win but to do so in such fashion rarely seen over the medium distance, usually these gaps are only seen in long/epic races. Add to that being the first horse to sweep the medium distance age cups is something very special indeed.” – Manor Park Stud
Kingsman is about out of answers, but only because racing is about out of questions. Speed? — Plenty, whenever needed. Stamina? — Name the distance and he’ll run it. Heart? — Oh, yeah baby. Class? — Absolutely. One blank left unfilled on the report is that beside History. This is up to outsiders. Where does he fit in the annals of Track King. Kingsman is not concerned personally, here, all he does is run. It is a free choice to those who watch him and hear of him to decide whether he is at or near the top of his kind.
Comparison of horses of different years is universally said to be impossible, and it is universally engaged in — with relish. All foals are born amid hope of success, a dream of glory, but not even the horse breeder — perhaps the most optimistic of human forms — has ever had any solid ground for looking at a new foal and musing: “Looks like the one for the Triple Crown. Probably go undefeated.”
You will have plenty nay-sayers. He had no competition; he is not Wild Smokey or one of the other great milers. Absolute rubbish, please take time out and go and have a look at the world records. He is up there with the best. If anybody watches Kingsman’s races, you will see that he will not allow any other horse past him. He’s the kind of horse that always has something left for whatever comes to him late.
We salute a CHAMPION racehorse!!!!