Ragusa (1960–1973) 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.

Background

Ragusa was a bay horse bred by

Harry Frank Guggenheim Harry Frank Guggenheim (August 23, 1890 – January 22, 1971) was an American businessman, diplomat, publisher, philanthropist, aviator, and horseman. Early life He was born August 23, 1890, in West End, New Jersey. He was the second son of Fl ...

. He was sired by Ribot, who was standing in Italy when Guggenheim sent his mare Fantan to be covered in 1959. The mare proved very difficult to get "in foal" and did not conceive until 15 June, well after the usual breeding season had finished. Ragusa was a small and weak foal who needed to be hand fed on milk and eggs, and Guggenheim decided to sell him. At the Ballsbridge Sales in September 1961, Ragusa was sold for 3,800

guineas The guinea (; commonly abbreviated gn., or gns. in plural) was a coin, minted in Great Britain between 1663 and 1814, that contained approximately one-quarter of an ounce of gold. The name came from the Guinea region in West Africa, from where m ...

, to Paddy Prendergast on behalf of James R. Mullion and Meg Mullion of the Ardenode stud in

County Kildare County Kildare ( ga, Contae Chill Dara) is a county in Ireland. It is in the province of Leinster and is part of the Eastern and Midland Region. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county, ...

, Ireland.

Racing career

1962: two-year-old season

Ragusa made his first racecourse appearance in October 1962 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 ...

where he won the Suir Maiden Plate over seven

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 ...

1963: three-year-old season

On his first appearance of the 1963 season, Ragusa was sent to England, where he started favourite for the Dee Stakes at

Chester Racecourse Chester Racecourse, also known as the Roodee, is a racecourse located in Chester, England. The horse racing venue is officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the "oldest racecourse still in operation". Horse racing in Chester dates ...

but finished second to My Myosotis. In June, he started a 25/1 outsider for the Derby at

Epsom Epsom is the principal town of the Borough of Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England, about south of central London. The town is first recorded as ''Ebesham'' in the 10th century and its name probably derives from that of a Saxon landowner. The ...

and exceeded expectations by finishing third of the twenty-six runners behind

Relko Relko (1960–1982) was a French Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from 1962 until 1964 he ran thirteen times and won nine races. His most notable win came in the 1963 Derby. Background Relko was a "strong, c ...

and Merchant Venturer. At the

later that month, Ragusa won the Irish Derby by two and a half lengths after Relko was withdrawn at the start. In July, Ragusa started at odds of 4/1 in a field of ten runners for Britain's most prestigious all-aged race, he

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot o ...

at Ascot. He won by four lengths from the four-year-old Miralgo. 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 in prize money offered per meeting. It attracts around 350 ...

in August, he defeated the 2000 Guineas winner Only for Life in the

Great Voltigeur Stakes The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old colts and geldings. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 1 ...

at odds of 2/5. At Doncaster Racecourse in September, Ragusa started the 2/5 favourite for the St Leger and won in a canter by six lengths.

1964: four-year-old season

Ragusa began his third season by winning the Ardenode Stakes at

Naas Naas ( ; ga, Nás na Ríogh or ) is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. In 2016, it had a population of 21,393, making it the second largest town in County Kildare after Newbridge. History The name of Naas has been recorded in th ...

, then ran third in the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh. In July, he returned to England and won the

Eclipse Stakes The Eclipse Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown P ...

by one and a half lengths from

Baldric A baldric (also baldrick, bawdrick, bauldrick as well as other rare or obsolete variations) is a belt worn over one shoulder that is typically used to carry a weapon (usually a sword) or other implement such as a bugle or drum. The word ma ...

. On his final racecourse appearance, he finished unplaced in the

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, over a distance ...

Stud career

Ragusa was retired from racing to become a breeding stallion in Ireland. The best of his progeny included

Morston Morston is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It covers an area of and had a population of 86 in 42 households at the 2001 census. The population remained less than 100 at the 2011 Census and was included in the civ ...

Ragstone Rag-stone is a name given by some architectural writers to work done with stones that are quarried in thin pieces, such as Horsham Stone, sandstone, Yorkshire stone, and the slate stones, but this is more properly flag or slab work. Near London ...

, Caliban (

Coronation Cup The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards (2 ...

), and Homeric. Ragusa died in 1973.

Pedigree

References

{{St Leger Winners 1960 racehorse births 1973 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Ireland Racehorses trained in Ireland Irish Classic Race winners Thoroughbred family 9 St Leger winners King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners