Fairy Footsteps

Fairy Footsteps
Sire	Mill Reef
Grandsire	Never Bend
Dam	Glass Slipper
Damsire	Relko
Sex	Mare
Foaled	15 January 1978^[1]
Country	United Kingdom
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Jim Joel
Owner	Jim Joel
Trainer	Henry Cecil
Record	6:3-2-1
Major wins
Waterford Candelabra Stakes (1980) Nell Gwyn Stakes (1981) 1000 Guineas (1981)
Awards
Timeform rating: 118p (1980), 123 (1981)

Fairy Footsteps (15 January 1978 – 1996) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic 1000 Guineas in 1981. She showed promise in her first two races as a two-year-old before establishing herself as one of the best fillies of her generation with an emphatic win in the Waterford Candelabra Stakes. In the spring of 1981 she was heavily backed for the 1000 Guineas before and after a win in the Nell Gwyn Stakes. She won the 1000 Guineas by leading all the way and was considered highly likely to follow up with a win in the Epsom Oaks but was retired after a disappointing defeat in the Musidora Stakes. She had some success as a broodmare.

Background

Fairy Footsteps was a "well-made, robust"^[2] bay mare with a narrow white blaze and three white socks bred in Ireland by her owner Jim Joel. She was sired by Mill Reef, an American-bred horse who won the Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 1971. Mill Reef's other offspring included Reference Point, Shirley Heights, Lashkari and Doyoun. An outbreak of metritis in Britain in 1977 saw many leading stallions operating at drastically reduced fertility and Fairy Footsteps was one of only nine foals sired by Mill Reef born in 1978. Fairy Footsteps' dam Glass Slipper was a half-sister of the Derby winner Royal Palace and showed good form during a brief racing career, finishing second in the Musidora Stakes. A year before Fairy Footsteps was foaled, Glass Slipper had produced Light Cavalry, a colt who won the St Leger in 1980.^[3]

Racing career

1980: two-year-old season

Fairy Footsteps made her racecourse debut in a maiden race over seven furlongs at Sandown Park Racecourse in July 1980. She came from last place on the turn into the straight to finish fourth of the sixteen runners behind Seasurf. She then finished second to Exclusively Raised in the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse, beaten one and a half lengths. Later that month, Fairy Footsteps and Exclusively Raised met again in the Group Three Waterford Candelabra Stakes (the race now known as the Prestige Stakes) over seven furlongs at Goodwood Racecourse. Ridden for the first time by Pat Eddery he started third favourite at odds of 4/1. According to Timeform, she "ran rings round the opposition", taking the lead three furlongs from the finish and winning by four and a half lengths from Madam Gay with Exclusively Raised in fourth and Leap Lively in fifth place.^[4] The winning time was a new course record for two-year-olds.^[5] She did not race again in 1980, but the form of her Goodwood win was boosted when Exclusively Raised won the May Hill Stakes and Leap Lively won the Fillies' Mile.

1981: three-year-old season

Fairy Footsteps began her three-year-old season in the Nell Gwyn Stakes, a trial race for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in April. Before the race she had been the subject of heavy support in the betting for the Guineas, with her price being cut from 12/1 to 5/2.^[6] Ridden by Lester Piggott she started 4/6 favourite and led from the start to win very easily^[5] by two and a half lengths from Shark Song. On 30 April 1981, Fairy Footsteps was one of fourteen fillies to contest the 168th running of the 1000 Guineas over the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket. Ridden again by Piggott, she was made the 6/4 favourite ahead of the previous year's champion filly Marwell. Piggott sent the filly into the lead from the start and set a reasonable pace, without ever breaking clear of her rivals. In the closing stages several challengers emerged but Fairy Footsteps ran on strongly and held on to win by a neck from Tolmi, with Go Leasing, Marwell and Madam Gay close behind. The win gave Piggott a twenty-fourth win in a classic.^[2] A week previously Piggott had been dragged under the stalls at Epsom Downs Racecourse, resulting in ear injury which required 32 stitches and damage to ligaments in his back. He was only able to return to riding on the eve of the Guineas and was still feeling the effects of the accident on the day of the race. He later commented that Fairy Footsteps' win "eased the discomfort".^[7]

Fairy Footsteps' breeding suggested that she was likely to be better suited by longer distances and she was very strongly fancied for the Epsom Oaks. At York Racecourse in May she started odds-on favourite for the Musidora Stakes over ten and a half furlongs. She appeared to be travelling well for most of the race, but began to struggle early in the straight and finished third of the five runners, beaten four lengths and one length by Condessa and Madam Gay. Fairy Footsteps remained in the Oaks field for a few days but then performed diappointingly in training and was withdrawn from the race. According to Henry Cecil: "The fact is that she does not stay. She moved smoothly but had nothing left after a mile. There is no point in running her in the Oaks".^[2] It was expected that Fairy Footsteps would return in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot^[8] but she never raced again.

Assessment

In the 1980 Free Handicap, a rating of the best two-year-olds of the season, Fairy Footsteps was allotted 122 pounds, eleven pounds below the top-rated Storm Bird and five pounds below the leading filly Marwell. The independent Timeform organisation gave her a rating of 118p, the "p" indicating that she was likely to make significant improvement.^[4] In the following year, Fairy Footsteps was given a rating of 123 by Timeform. In the official International Classification, she was rated nineteen pounds below the top-rated horse Shergar and nine pounds below the top-rated three-year-old filly Marwell.^[2] In their book, A Century of Champions, based on the Timeform rating system, John Randall and Tony Morris rated Fairy Footsteps an "average" winner of the 1000 Guineas.^[9]

Stud career

Fairy Footsteps was retired from racing to become a broodmare for her owner's stud. She produced at least nine foals and six minor winners between 1983 and 1995:

Flying Fairy (GB) : chesnut filly, foaled 1 January 1983, sired by Bustino (GB), failed to win in four races,^[10] dam of Desert Prince (Irish 2000 Guineas, Prix du Moulin, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes)
Lothario (GB) : chesnut colt (gelded), foaled in 1985, sired by Hello Gorgeous (USA) - unplaced in 2 starts on the flat in England 1988; unplaced 2 starts over hurdles in England 1989-90; unplaced 2 starts in steeple chases in England 1991
Lovely Fairy (GB) : bay filly, foaled in 1986, sired by Beldale Flutter (USA) - won two races from 7 stars in England 1988-89^[11]
Fleet Fairy (USA) : bay filly, foaled in 1987, sired by Teenoso (USA) - maiden, 3rd G3 Prix Penelope^[12] Saint-Cloud; 4th LR Prix Rose de Mai, Maisons-Laffitte
Always Far (USA) : brown filly, foaled in 1989, sired by Alydar (USA) - unraced
Haunted Wood (USA) : bay filly, foaled in 1990, sired by Nijinsky (CAN), won one race and placed once from 4 starts in England 1992-3^[13]
Fabulous Fairy (USA) : chesnut filly, foaled 14 May 1991, sired by Alydar (USA), won one race^[14] from 5 starts in Britain 1993-4
Swan Princess (USA) : bay filly, foaled in 1993, sired by Nureyev (USA) - unraced
Sky Commander (USA) : brown colt, foaled 31 March 1994, sired by Storm Bird (CAN), won two races^[15] and placed 2nd twice from 7 starts in England 1996-97
Brigade Charge (USA) : bay colt, foaled 7 April 1995, sired by Affirmed (USA) - won one race and placed 2nd once from 4 starts on the flat in England 1998; won once and placed five times from 12 starts over hurdles in Ireland and England 1999-2000; won twice and placed twice from 9 starts over fences in Ireland and England 2002-4^[16]

Pedigree

Pedigree of Fairy Footsteps, bay mare, 1978^[1]
Sire Mill Reef (USA) 1968	Never Bend (USA) 1960	Nasrullah	Nearco
		Nasrullah	Mumtaz Begum
		Lalun	Djeddah
		Lalun	Be Faithful
	Milan Mill (USA) 1962	Princequillo	Prince Rose
		Princequillo	Cosquilla
		Virginia Water	Count Fleet
		Virginia Water	Red Ray
Dam Glass Slipper (GB) 1969	Relko (GB) 1960	Tanerko	Tantieme
		Tanerko	La Divine
		Relance	Relic
		Relance	Polaire
	Crystal Palace (GB) 1956	Solar Slipper	Windsor Slipper
		Solar Slipper	Solar Slipper
		Queen of Light	Borealis
		Queen of Light	Picture Play (Family:1-s)^[3]

References

1 2 "Fairy Footsteps pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
1 2 3 4 Timeform staff (1982). Racehorses of 1981. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-33-2.
1 2 "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - Web - Family 1-s". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
1 2 Timeform staff (1981). Racehorses of 1980. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-31-6.
1 2 "Martin Gale" (30 April 1981). "Go Leasing each way looks best bet for guineas". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 2013-07-11.
↑ "White and Gold" (16 April 1981). "Moment of Truth for Fairy Footsteps". Glasgow Herald. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ Sean Magee. "Living legend Piggott makes light of his brush with death". theguardian.com. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
↑ Ron Trevorrow (15 June 1981). "A tenner for a bet!". Evening Times. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ Morris, Tony; Randall, John (1999). A Century of Champions. Portway Press,. ISBN 978-1-901570-15-1.
↑ Timeform staff (1987). Racehorses of 1986. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-44-8.
↑ "Lovely Fairy Record By Race Type". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ "Fleet Fairy Record By Race Type". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ "Haunted Wood Record By Race Type". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ "Fabulous Fairy Record By Race Type". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ "Sky Commander Record By Race Type". Racing Post. 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2013-10-24.
↑ "Brigade Charge Record By Race Type". Racing Post. Retrieved 2013-10-24.

1000 Guineas winners

1814 Charlotte 1815 Filly by Selim 1816 Rhoda 1817 Neva 1818 Corinne 1819 Catgut 1820 Rowena 1821 Zeal 1822 Whizgig 1823 Zinc 1824 Cobweb 1825 Tontine 1826 Problem 1827 Arab 1828 Zoe 1829 Young Mouse 1830 Charlotte West 1831 Galantine 1832 Galata 1833 Tarantella 1834 May-day 1835 Preserve 1836 Destiny 1837 Chapeau d'Espagne 1838 Barcarolle 1839 Cara 1840 Crucifix ‡ 1841 Potentia 1842 Firebrand 1843 Extempore 1844 Sorella 1845 Pic-nic 1846 Mendicant 1847 Clementine 1848 Canezou 1849 The Flea 1850 Lady Orford 1851 Aphrodite 1852 Kate 1853 Mentmore Lass 1854 Virago 1855 Habena 1856 Manganese 1857 Imperieuse 1858 Governess 1859 Mayonaise 1860 Sagitta 1861 Nemesis 1862 Hurricane 1863 Lady Augusta 1864 Tomato 1865 Siberia 1866 Repulse 1867 Achievement 1868 Formosa ₩ ‡ 1869 Scottish Queen 1870 Hester 1871 Hannah ₩ 1872 Reine 1873 Cecilia 1874 Apology ₩ 1875 Spinaway 1876 Camelia 1877 Belphoebe 1878 Pilgrimage 1879 Wheel of Fortune 1880 Elizabeth 1881 Thebais 1882 St Marguerite 1883 Hauteur 1884 Busybody 1885 Farewell 1886 Miss Jummy 1887 Reve d'Or 1888 Briarroot 1889 Minthe 1890 Semolina 1891 Mimi 1892 La Fleche ₩ 1893 Siffleuse 1894 Amiable 1895 Galeottia 1896 Thais 1897 Chelandry 1898 Nun Nicer 1899 Sibola 1900 Winifreda 1901 Aida 1902 Sceptre ₩ ‡ 1903 Quintessence 1904 Pretty Polly ₩ 1905 Cherry Lass 1906 Flair 1907 Witch Elm 1908 Rhodora 1909 Electra 1910 Winkipop 1911 Atmah 1912 Tagalie 1913 Jest 1914 Princess Dorrie 1915 Vaucluse 1916 Canyon 1917 Diadem 1918 Ferry 1919 Roseway 1920 Cinna 1921 Bettina 1922 Silver Urn 1923 Tranquil 1924 Plack 1925 Saucy Sue 1926 Pillion 1927 Cresta Run 1928 Scuttle 1929 Taj Mah 1930 Fair Isle 1931 Four Course 1932 Kandy 1933 Brown Betty 1934 Campanula 1935 Mesa 1936 Tide-way 1937 Exhibitionnist 1938 Rockfel 1939 Galatea II 1940 Godiva 1941 Dancing Time 1942 Sun Chariot ₩ 1943 Herringbone 1944 Picture Play 1945 Sun Stream 1946 Hypericum 1947 Imprudence 1948 Queenpot 1949 Musidora 1950 Camaree 1951 Belle of All 1952 Zabara 1953 Happy Laughter 1954 Festoon 1955 Meld ₩ 1956 Honeylight 1957 Rose Royale 1958 Bella Paola 1959 Petite Etoile 1960 Never Too Late 1961 Sweet Solera 1962 Abermaid 1963 Hula Dancer 1964 Pourparler 1965 Night Off 1966 Glad Rags 1967 Fleet 1968 Caergwrle 1969 Full Dress 1970 Humble Duty 1971 Altesse Royale 1972 Waterloo 1973 Mysterious 1974 Highclere 1975 Nocturnal Spree 1976 Flying Water 1977 Mrs McArdy 1978 Enstone Spark 1979 One in a Million 1980 Quick As Lightning 1981 Fairy Footsteps 1982 On The House 1983 Ma Biche 1984 Pebbles 1985 Oh So Sharp ₩ 1986 Midway Lady 1987 Miesque 1988 Ravinella 1989 Musical Bliss 1990 Salsabil 1991 Shadayid 1992 Hatoof 1993 Sayyedati 1994 Las Meninas 1995 Harayir 1996 Bosra Sham 1997 Sleepytime 1998 Cape Verdi 1999 Wince 2000 Lahan 2001 Ameerat 2002 Kazzia 2003 Russian Rhythm 2004 Attraction 2005 Virginia Waters 2006 Speciosa 2007 Finsceal Beo 2008 Natagora 2009 Ghanaati 2010 Special Duty 2011 Blue Bunting 2012 Homecoming Queen 2013 Sky Lantern 2014 Miss France 2015 Legatissimo 2016 Minding

Legend - ₩ = Fillies Triple Crown winners, † = Epsom Derby winners, ‡ = 2000 Guineas Stakes winners

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