Lichine (horse)

Lichine
Sire Lyphard
Grandsire Northern Dancer
Dam Stylish Genie
Damsire Bagdad
Sex Stallion
Foaled 5 May 1979[1]
Country United States
Colour Bay
Breeder Mrs. J. Getty & Carelaine Stables
Owner Stavros Niarchos
Trainer Francois Boutin
Record 15: 3–1–4
Major wins
Prix de Suresnes (1982)
Awards
Timeform rating 117 (1982), 113 (1983)

Lichine (foaled 5 May 1979) was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who sold for a record-setting $1.7 million ($4.9 million inflation adjusted) as a yearling in 1980. Although he never threatened to repay his auction price, he was a useful racehorse, winning the Listed Prix de Suresnes as a three-year-old and finishing placed in several Group races.

Background

Lichine was a "smallish, wiry"[2] bay horse bred in Maryland by Mrs. J. Getty & Carelaine Stables. He was from the sixth crop of foals sired by Lyphard, an American-bred stallion who raced in France, winning the Prix Jacques le Marois and Prix de la Foret in 1972. Lyphard went on to become a very successful breeding stallion in both Europe and North America, siring Three Troikas, Dancing Brave and Manila. His dam, Stylish Genie was a minor stakes winner and a half-sister to Artaius, a Kentucky-bred colt who won the Eclipse Stakes and the Sussex Stakes in 1977.[3][4]

In 1981, the yearling was consigned to the Keeneland Sales where he was bought for a then world-record price of $1.7 million by the bloodstock agents BBA England, representing the Greek shipping magnate Stavros Niarchos.[5][6] The colt was sent to France where he was trained by Francois Boutin.

Racing career

Unraced as a two-year-old, Lichine began his racing career in the spring of 1982 by winning a maiden race at Évry and the Listed Prix de Suresnes]] over 2200 metres at Longchamp Racecourse in May. He was beaten in his five remaining races that year but ran well to finish third in the Prix Daphnis, fifth in the Prix du Moulin and fourth in the Prix du Rond Point.[2]

Lichine stayed in training as a four-year-old and ran eight times, recording his only success in a race over 1850 metres at Longchamp in May. He again ran well in defeat on several occasions: he finished third in the Prix de Ris-Orangis, third in the Prix du Muguet, fourth in the Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord and fourth in the Prix de la Foret.[7]

Stud record

Lichine was retired from racing to stand at the Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard in Normandy at an initial fee of 25,000.[7] He later stood as a breeding stallion in Spain.

Pedigree

Pedigree of Lichine (USA), bay horse, 1979[1]
Sire
Lyphard (USA)
1969
Northern Dancer (CAN)
1961
Nearctic Nearco
Lady Angela
Natalma Native Dancer
Almahmoud
Goofed (USA)
1960
Court Martial Fair Trial
Instantaneous
Barra Formor
La Favorite
Dam
Stylish Genie (USA)
1971
Bagdad (USA)
1956
Double Jay Balladier
Broom Shot
Bazura Blue Peter
Bura
Stylish Pattern (USA)
1961
My Babu Djebel
Pefume
Sunset Gun Hyperion
Ace of Spades (Family 14-c)[4]

References

  1. 1 2 "Lichine pedigree". 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2013-10-29.
  2. 1 2 Timeform staff (1983). Racehorses of 1982. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-35-9.
  3. Timeform staff (1978). Racehorses of 1977. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-25-1.
  4. 1 2 "Pretty Polly - Family 14-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. "Record $1.7 Million Is Paid For Colt on Niarchos's Bid". New York Times. July 23, 1980.
  6. http://www.keeneland.com/sites/default/files/shared/451/Milestones.pdf
  7. 1 2 Timeform staff (1984). Racehorses of 1983. Timeform. ISBN 0-900599-40-5.
Records
Preceded by
Hoist The King
Most expensive Thoroughbred colt yearling
July 22, 1980 – 1981
Next:
Ballydoyle
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