Too Darn Hot (horse)
| Too Darn Hot | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Dubawi |
| Grandsire | Dubai Millennium |
| Dam | Dar Re Mi |
| Damsire | Singspiel |
| Sex | Colt |
| Foaled | 27 March 2016[1] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | Watership Down Stud |
| Owner | Andrew Lloyd Webber |
| Trainer | John Gosden |
| Record | 4: 4-0-0 |
| Earnings | £358,966 |
| Major wins | |
|
Solario Stakes (2018) Champagne Stakes (2018) Dewhurst Stakes (2018) | |
Too Darn Hot (foaled 27 March 2016) is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2018 he was one of the best colts of his generation in Europe, winning the Solario Stakes, Champagne Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes.
Background
Too Darn Hot was bred in England by his owner, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Watership Down Stud. Lloyd Webber later explained that although the stud usually puts its colts up for auction, Too Darn Hot had suffered an injury as a foal and was thought unlikely to find a buyer.[2] The colt was sent into training with John Gosden in Newmarket, Suffolk.
He was sired by Dubawi a top-class son of Dubai Millennium, whose wins included the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Prix Jacques Le Marois. At stud, Dubawi has been a highly-successful breeding stallion, siring major winners such as Monterosso, Al Kazeem, Makfi, Lucky Nine and Night of Thunder.[3] Too Darn Hot's dam Dar Re Mi was an outstanding racemare whose wins included the Pretty Polly Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Sheema Classic. Her other foals have included So Mi Dar (Musidora Stakes) and La Ti Dar (runner-up in the St Leger). Dar Re Mi was a daughter of Darara who won the Prix Vermeille and was a half sister to Darshaan.[4]
Racing career
2018: two-year-old season
In all of his starts as a juvenile in 2018 Too Darn Hot was ridden by Frankie Dettori. The colt made his debut in a maiden race over one mile at Sandown Park on 9 August and was made the 8/11 favourite against four opponents. After disputing the lead from the start he drew away from his rivals in the last quarter mile and won by seven lengths from Rowland Ward.[5] On 1 September the colt was stepped up in class for the Group 3 Solario Stakes over seven furlongs at the same track. He was made the even money favourite in a six-runner field which included Arthur Kitt (winner of the Chesham Stakes), Dunkerron (runner-up in the Vintage Stakes) and Watan (runner-up in the Acomb Stakes). After racing in third place, Too Darn Hot took the lead approaching the final furlong and "powered clear" to win by four lengths from Arthur Kitt.[6] After the race Dettori said "I gave him as much experience as I could. I gave him a couple of flicks and he has put a very good field to bed in impressive fashion. He’s got options. We know he can stay a mile but he also showed speed over seven today, he had the race won by the furlong-and-a-half. He’s pretty special".[7]
Two weeks after his win in the Solario, Too Darn Hot moved up to Group 2 class for the Champagne Stakes over seven furlong at Doncaster Racecourse and was made the 4/11 favourite. The best of his five opponents appeared to be Dark Vision (Vintage Stakes), Phoenix of Spain (Acomb Stakes) and Van Beethoven (Railway Stakes). After tracking the leaders Too Darn Hot took the lead a furlong out and won by one and three quarter lengths from Phoenix of Spain.[8] Dettori commented "What he did between the three-furlong pole and furlong pole was pretty amazing. He made six lengths in two furlongs – pretty special. Today is his first time on a flat track and he gave me a really good feel, he went through the gears".[2]
On his final run of the year Too Darn Hot started the even money favourite for the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket Racecourse. The other six runners were Anthony Van Dyck (Futurity Stakes), Advertise (July Stakes, Phoenix Stakes), Sangarius (Flying Scotsman Stakes), Mohawk (Royal Lodge Stakes), Christmas (Caravaggio Stakes) and Kuwait Currency (Stonehenge Stakes). After racing in mid-division as Christmas set the pace, Too Darn Hot was angled right to make his challenge in the last quarter mile. He took the inside the final furlong and won "very readily" by two and three quarter lengths from Advertise.[9] Dettori, who was winning the race for the first time at the age of 47 said "He's an amazing horse and in the end I was struggling to ease him down. He's had three easy races and today he was getting knocked about and running in snatches. For a minute I thought I was in trouble and then the turbo kicked in. He's up with the best I've ridden - he's got a good cruising speed and he moves his legs really fast".[10]
Pedigree
| Sire Dubawi (IRE) 2002 |
Dubai Millennium (GB) 1996 |
Seeking the Gold (USA) | Mr. Prospector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Con Game | |||
| Colorado Dancer (IRE) | Shareef Dancer (USA) | ||
| Fall Aspen (USA) | |||
| Zomaradah (GB) 1995 |
Deploy | Shirley Heights | |
| Slightly Dangerous (USA) | |||
| Jawaher (IRE) | Dancing Brave (USA) | ||
| High Tern | |||
| Dam Dar Re Mi (GB) 2005 |
Singspiel (IRE) 1992 |
In The Wings (GB) | Sadler's Wells (USA) |
| High Hawk (IRE) | |||
| Glorious Song (CAN) | Halo (USA) | ||
| Ballade (USA) | |||
| Darara (GB) 1983 |
Top Ville (IRE) | High Top | |
| Sega Ville (FR) | |||
| Delsy (FR) | Abdos | ||
| Kelty (Family 13-c)[4] |
References
- 1 2 "Too Darn Hot pedigree". Equineline. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- 1 2 Carr, David. "Lloyd-Webber star is a Hot ticket after spectacular Champagne show". Racing Post.
- ↑ "Dubawi Stud Record". Bloodstock.racingpost.com.
- 1 2 "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Stray Shot - Family 13-c". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Slug And Lettuce 2-4-1 Tanqueray Thursdays EBF Maiden Stakes result". Racing Post. 9 August 2018.
- ↑ "Solario Stakes result". Racing Post. 1 September 2018.
- ↑ Wood, Greg (1 September 2018). "Frankie Dettori and Too Darn Hot scorch home to lift Derby temperature". The Guardian.
- ↑ "Champagne Stakes result". Racing Post. 15 September 2018.
- ↑ "Dewhurst Stakes result". Racing Post. 13 October 2018.
- ↑ "Too Darn Hot gives Frankie Dettori first Dewhurst Stakes victory". BBC Sport. 13 October 2018.