Cairn Rouge (foaled 9 March 1977) was an Irish

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed. Thoroughbreds are c ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

and

broodmare A mare is an adult female horse or other equine. In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse three and younger. In Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four ...

. After showing promise as a two-year-old in 1979, Cairn Rouge improved to become one of the best three-year-old fillies in Europe in the following year. She won the

Irish 1,000 Guineas The Irish 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled to ...

and the

Coronation Stakes The Coronation Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 7 furlong and 213 yards (1,603 metres), and it is schedul ...

against horses of her own age and sex, before defeating strong

weight-for-age {{use dmy dates, date=October 2022 Weight for Age (WFA) is a term in thoroughbred horse racing which is one of the conditions for a race. History The principle of WFA was developed by Admiral Rous, a handicapper with the English Jockey Club. Rous ...

competition in the

Champion Stakes The Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlong ...

. She failed to win in five starts as a four-year-old, but showed good form when finishing second in a controversial race for the Champion Stakes. After a brief, unsuccessful period racing in North America she was retired to stud, where she had some success as a broodmare.

Background

Cairn Rouge was a small, lightly built, dark-coated bay mare with a white

star A star is an astronomical object comprising a luminous spheroid of plasma (physics), plasma held together by its gravity. The List of nearest stars and brown dwarfs, nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked ...

bred in Ireland by Janet Brady. She was one of the second crop of foals sired by the Goodwood Mile winner

Pitcairn The Pitcairn Islands (; Pitkern: '), officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, is a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four isl ...

, who also sired

Ela-Mana-Mou Ela-Mana-Mou (1976–2008) was a British Thoroughbred race horse and sire. In a career which lasted from 1978 until October 1980, he ran sixteen times and won ten races. He was one of the best British two-year-olds of 1978, when he defeated T ...

before being exported to Japan in 1978. She was the first foal of dam Little Hills, who won on the flat and over hurdles. Little Hills' grand-dam Stone Crop was a half-sister of the

Ascot Gold Cup The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4,014 ...

winner

Zarathustra Zoroaster,; fa, زرتشت, Zartosht, label=Modern Persian; ku, زەردەشت, Zerdeşt also known as Zarathustra,, . Also known as Zarathushtra Spitama, or Ashu Zarathushtra is regarded as the spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism. He is s ...

. As a

yearling Yearling may refer to: *Yearling (horse), a horse between one and two years old *''The Yearling ''The Yearling'' is a novel by American writer Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, published in March 1938. It was the main selection of the Book of the Mo ...

, Cairn Rouge was sent to the sales, but was bought back by her breeders for 3000

guineas The guinea (; commonly abbreviated gn., or gns. in plural) was a coin, minted in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Great Britain between 1663 and 1814, that contained approximately one-quarter of an ounce of gold. The name came from t ...

. She was sent into training with Michael Cunningham, who was best known for his successes in

National Hunt In horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Republic of Ireland, National Hunt racing requires horses to jump fences and ditches. National Hunt racing in the UK is informally known as "jumps" and is divided into two major distinct branches: ...

races.

Racing career

1979: two-year-old season

After finishing unplaced in a one-mile race on her debut, Cairn Rouge won a

maiden race In horse racing a maiden race is an event for horses that have not won a race. Horses that have not won a race are referred to as maidens. Maiden horse races are held over a variety of distances and under conditions with eligibility based on the se ...

over eight and a half

furlong A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and United States customary units equal to one eighth of a mile, equivalent to 660 feet, 220 yards, 40 rods, 10 chains or approximately 201 metres. It is now mostly confined to use in hors ...

s at

Galway Racecourse Ballybrit Race Track, also known as Galway Racecourse, is a horse race course in County Galway, Ireland. It is located in the townland of Ballybrit, in the environs of Castlegar, County Galway, Castlegar, just north of the N6 road (Ireland), N6 B ...

in September, beating Cassia by four

lengths Length is a measure of distance. In the International System of Quantities, length is a quantity with dimension distance. In most systems of measurement a base unit for length is chosen, from which all other units are derived. In the Intern ...

. In October she was sent to England to contest the Malton Stakes over seven furlongs at

York Racecourse York Racecourse is a horse racing venue in York, North Yorkshire, England. It is the third biggest racecourse in Britain in terms of total prize money offered, and second behind Ascot Racecourse, Ascot in prize money offered per meeting. It att ...

. She accelerated into the lead a furlong from the finish and won by one and a half lengths from Miss Taymore and Louise Moulton.

1980: three-year-old season

On her three-year-old debut, Cairn Rouge finished unplaced in a race over seven furlongs on very heavy ground on 17 March. In April she won the Mulcahy Stakes over seven furlongs at

Phoenix Park Racecourse Phoenix Park Racecourse is a former horse racing venue in Ireland. It was located in the townlands of Ashtown and Castleknock in the civil parish of Castleknock on the northern edge of the Phoenix Park in Dublin. The course was founded by JHH ...

, beating the highly regarded Monroe by three lengths. Cairn Rouge was then moved up in class for the

at the

Curragh The Curragh ( ; ga, An Currach ) is a flat open plain of almost of common land in County Kildare. This area is well known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the ...

on 26 May in which she was matched against the leading English fillies

Mrs Penny Mrs Penny (22 March 1977 – 1997) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She won six of her twenty-two races and was rated the best British filly of her generation at both two and three years of age. In 1 ...

and Millingdale Lillie. Ridden by Tony Murray, she started at odds of 5/1 in a field of eighteen fillies. Cairn Rouge took the lead inside the final quarter mile and accelerated clear of the field to win decisively by two and a half lengths from Millingdale Lillie. In June, the filly was sent to England for the Coronation Stakes (then a Group Two race) over one mile at

Royal Ascot Ascot Racecourse ("ascot" pronounced , often pronounced ) is a dual-purpose British racecourse, located in Ascot, Berkshire, England, which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain's 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races and ...

in which she faced the

1000 Guineas The 1000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 ...

winner Quick As Lightning at level weights. Ridden by Murray, Cairn Rouge started the 6/5 favourite and produced a strong late run on the inside to win by a neck from Quick As Lightning. At York on 19 August, Cairn Rouge was matched against colts and older horses for the first time in the

Benson and Hedges Gold Cup Benson may refer to: Animals *Benson (fish), largest common carp caught in Britain Places Geography Canada *Rural Municipality of Benson No. 35, Saskatchewan; rural municipality *Benson, Saskatchewan; hamlet United Kingdom *Benson, Oxfordshire ...

over ten and a half furlongs. The filly took the lead in the last quarter mile but was overtaken in the final strides and was beaten half a length by

Master Willie Master Willie (12 April 1977 – October 2001) was a British racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 1980 he finished second in The Derby and won the Group One Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. In the following year he added victories in the ...

. She was then sent to France and moved up in distance for the

Prix Vermeille The Prix Vermeille is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), an ...

over 2400

metres The metre (British spelling) or meter (American spelling; see spelling differences) (from the French unit , from the Greek noun , "measure"), symbol m, is the primary unit of length in the International System of Units (SI), though its prefi ...

Longchamp Racecourse The Longchamp Racecourse (french: Hippodrome de Longchamp) is a 57 hectare horse-racing facility located on the Route des Tribunes at the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, France. It is used for flat racing and is noted for its variety of interlaced tr ...

in September. Racing on ground which was firmer than she had previously encountered she fifth in a very strong field behind Mrs Penny, Little Bonny,

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

and Gold River. Cairn Rouge's final appearance of the season came in the Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at

Newmarket Racecourse Newmarket Racecourse is a British Thoroughbred horse racing venue in Newmarket, Suffolk, Newmarket, Suffolk, comprising two individual racecourses: the Rowley Mile and the July Course. Newmarket is often referred to as the headquarters of ...

in October when she started at odds of 6/1. Murray restrained the filly before producing her with a strong late run in the final quarter mile. She took the lead inside the final furlong and won by three-quarters of a length from Master Willie, with Nadjar in third and Rankin in fourth place.

1981: four-year-old season

In April 1981, Cairn Rouge was bought for $1.5 million by Craig Singer of

Lewisville, Texas Lewisville ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, predominantly within Denton County with a small part lying within Dallas County. As a suburban community within the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the 2020 census tabulated a population of 111 ...

. Cairn Rouge began her three-year-old season at Royal Ascot in June, when she started favourite for the

Prince of Wales's Stakes The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile 1 furlong and 212 yards (2,004 met ...

but finished fifth behind Hard Fought. The filly returned from the race with a minor injury which kept her off the racecourse for three months. She returned in the

Desmond Stakes The Desmond Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres), and it is scheduled t ...

at the Curragh over one mile in which she was beaten a short head by the three-year-old colt Belted Earl. In October Cairn Rouge attempted to repeat her 1980 win in the Champion Stakes in a field which included

To-Agori-Mou To-Agori-Mou (22 April 1978 – 1990) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who won the classic 2000 Guineas in 1981. He was the best British-trained two-year-old of 1980 when he won the Solario Stakes and was ...

Madam Gay Madam Gay (25 February 1978 – 1983) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. She showed some promise as a two-year-old in 1980 before developing into a top-class middle distance performer in the following year. Her only victory in a thirteen r ...

and The Wonder. She ran on strongly in the last quarter mile to finish second, two lengths behind the French-trained three-year-old

Vayrann Vayrann (foaled 7 April 1978) was an Irish-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 1981 he won four of his six races including the Prix Jean de Chaudenay, Prix du Prince d'Orange and Champion Stakes. His vict ...

. The winner failed a post-race drug test, but was allowed to keep the race following a private session of the Jockey Club's disciplinary committee on 7 June 1982. Cairn Rouge was sent to race in the United States in late 1981, where she was trained by George Getz. On 7 November she finished fourth behind

Providential Providential (February 6, 1977 – May 1998) was an Irish-born Thoroughbred racehorse who competed successfully in France and won the most important race on turf in the United States. Bred and raced by Bertram R. Firestone, he was sired by Ru ...

April Run {{Infobox racehorse , horsename = April Run , image = , caption = , sire = Run the Gantlet , grandsire = Tom Rolfe , dam = April Fancy , damsire = No Argument , sex = mare , foaled = 1978 , country = Ireland , colour = Bay , breede ...

and Galaxy Libra in the

Washington, D.C. International Stakes The Baltimore Washington International Turf Cup is an American Grade III invitational horse race run over one mile. Inaugurated in 1952, it was raced at Laurel Park Racecourse on the turf in Laurel, Maryland, at a distance of miles (12 furlongs ...

. In December she finished sixth behind

Super Moment {{Infobox racehorse , horsename = Super Moment , image = , caption = , sire = Big Spruce , grandsire = Herbager , dam = Seductive , damsire = Shantung , sex = Stallion , foaled = 1977 , country = United States , colour = Bay , breed ...

in the

Bay Meadows Handicap Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap was an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually since 1934 at Bay Meadows Racetrack in San Mateo, California. Held in late September, the Bay Meadows Breeders' Cup Handicap is currently an ungraded stakes ...

Assessment

In 1979, the independent

Timeform Timeform is a sports data and content provider located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. Founded in 1948, it provides systematic information on form to punters and others involved in the horse racing industry. The company was purchased by ...

organisation gave Cairn Rouge a rating of 99, twenty-one pounds below the top-rated two-year-old filly Aryenne. In 1980 she was rated 127 by Timeform, four pounds below the top-rated three-year-old filly

. In the official International Classification she was rated the fourth best three-year-old filly in Europe behind Detroit, Mrs Penny and

Shoot A Line Shoot A Line (foaled 2 April 1977) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. After winning her only race as a two-year-old she developed into one of the best fillies in Europe in 1980, winning the Cheshire Oaks, Ribblesdale Stakes, Iri ...

. She was also the highest-rated Irish three-year-old of either sex. In the following year she was rated 126 by Timeform and was officially rated the third-best older female horse in Europe behind Gold River and Detroit.

Breeding record

Cairn Rouge produced at least nine foals between 1983 and 1998, five of whom won races: *Tikanova (bay filly, foaled 1983, sired by

Northern Dancer Northern Dancer (May 27, 1961 – November 16, 1990) was a Thoroughbred who, in 1964, became the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He then became one of the most successful sires of the 20th century. He is considered a Canad ...

), unraced. Female-line ancestor of

Epoca d'Oro Epoca d'Oro, (Japanese: エポカドーロ, foaled 15 February 2015) is a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. After finishing third on his only appearance as a two-year-old in 2017 he showed steady improvement in the following spring, winning two mi ...

. *Ajuga (chestnut filly, 1985, by

The Minstrel The Minstrel (11 March 1974 – 3 September 1990) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingd ...

), won one race, dam of Prolix (

Dee Stakes The Dee Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 70 yards () at Chester in Ma ...

), Bad Bertrich Again (

EuropaChampionat The EuropaChampionat was a Group 2 flat horse race in Germany open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It was run at Hoppegarten over a distance of 2,400 metres (about 1½ miles), and it was scheduled to take place each year in August. The event was ...

). Female-line ancestor of

Persuasive Persuasion or persuasion arts is an umbrella term for Social influence, influence. Persuasion can influence a person's Belief, beliefs, Attitude (psychology), attitudes, Intention, intentions, Motivation, motivations, or Behavior, behaviours. ...

and

Creative Force Creative Force (30 March 2018 – 17 May 2023) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. After winning one of his two starts as a juvenile in 2020 he was gelded. In the following year he improved to become one of the best sprin ...

. *Roupala (bay filly, 1986, by

Vaguely Noble Vaguely Noble (1965–1989) was an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in the United Kingdom and France. The colt is best known as the winner of the 1968 Group One Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when he defeated the best horses from Engla ...

), won one race, dam of Vortex (

Criterion Stakes The Criterion Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), ...

) and ancestress of 2022

Saudi Cup The Saudi Cup (Arabic: كأس السعودية) is an international horse race held at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the richest horse race ever held, with a $20 million purse. Race details The race is notable for ...

winner Emblem Road *Devils Rock (chestnut colt, 1990, by

Devil's Bag Devil's Bag (1981–2005) was an American champion Thoroughbred racehorse who was syndicated as a two-year-old for US$36 million, the highest price for any 2-year-old in racing history. Background Bred by Canadian E. P. Taylor at his Windfie ...

), won one race *Red Victory (brown colt, 1991, by Al Nasr), failed to win in five races *Di Hwang (bay colt, 1994, by

Sadler's Wells Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue in Clerkenwell, London, England located on Rosebery Avenue next to New River Head. The present-day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500-sea ...

), won one race *Captain Melleray (colt, 1995, by

Fairy King Fairy King or king of the fairies may refer to: *Oberon *the Erlking (Danish ''elverkonge'' "elf-king") *Fairy King (horse) See also

*Fairies *Mythological king {{disambiguation ...

), unraced *Fontanina (bay filly, 1997, by

Lake Coniston Lake Coniston (21 February 1991 – 29 May 2014) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. After being sold as a yearling for 22,000 guineas he was sent to be trained in England by Geoff Lewis. Unraced as a juvenile, h ...

), unraced *Best Buy (bay filly, 1998, by Danehill), won two races

Pedigree

References

{{reflist, 30em 1977 racehorse births Racehorses bred in Ireland Racehorses trained in Ireland Irish Classic Race winners Thoroughbred family 1-l