MTOTO
Good racehorses have the ability to make you wish that you had been there when they won their races. The great ones make you feel as if you were.
We were very sad to hear of the passing of Mtoto who will always be one of our favourite racehorses of all time. We owe many thanks to Bob Woods and the staff at Aston Upthorpe Stud where he stood at stud and where he had a lovely and long retirement. We know he will be irreplaceable to them.
Photo taken at Aston Upthorpe Stud in April 2007 by Jimmy Clark
THE TRAINER
Alec Stewart at Clarehaven Stables, Newmarket
Alec Stewart was a young trainer when Mtoto came to him but he had already won a classic in only his second year with a license when Opale landed the Irish St Leger in 1984. He is the first to admit that Mtoto remains the best horse he has trained. Other top-class performers include Mutamam (closely related to Mtoto) , Al Maheb, Braashee, Daarkom, Dubian, Filia Ardross, Life At The Top, Wagon Master, Waajib and Ghariba. The Tote Ebor, Northumberland Plate and the Schweppes Golden Mile are among the major handicaps he has won. Alec remembers Mtoto with a great fondness, but was perhaps a touch unlucky to get such a good horse so early in his own career as he became an impossible act to follow.
Built in 1900, Clarehaven Stables is situated on Newmarket's Bury Road well positioned for access to the famous gallops. It was named after the filly that won the Cesarewitch that year. Clarehaven is remembered for being the stable that sent out the immortal Pretty Polly who won the fillies' Triple Crown of 1904, the Guineas, The Oaks and the St Leger. In 2003 she was named as "mare of the century" in "A Century Of Champions". Winner of 22 out of her 24 starts from five furlongs to 2 1/2 miles, she continued to work hard for her living unlike many fillies today who are retired after their classic season. She rightfully has her own tribute on Famous Racehorses. Alec Stewart purchased the yard in 1986 and added new facilities such as American-style barns. It is impressive and peaceful with 18 acres of paddocks in which to turn out the horses. Alec Stewart lost his battle with cancer in August 2004 and his assistant Ed vaughn temporaily took over the license. John Gosden now trains there.
THE SIRE
In 1967 Busted, trained by Noel Murless and owned and bred by Stanhope Joel won a historic double in the Eclipse and the King George and became Racehorse of the Year. He was a tall handsome horse with a beautifully made head and neck but his most remarkable asset was his acceleration at the end of a race which left his rivals for dead. He was by the brilliant Derby winner Crepello (also trained by Murless and ridden by Lester Piggott) and he had a lot of presence and class. When Busted went to stud it was expected that he would produce greatness and he did not disappoint.
The best things come to those who wait and 20 years later in 1987 his son Mtoto won the Eclipse and emulated his sire when he did the Eclipse and King George double in 1988 also picking up the Racehorse of The Year title.
THE DAM
Mtoto was bred by retired lawyer John Moore at his Biddestone Stud in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Moore was a fan of Busted and sent his French bred 15 year old broodmare Amazer to him. Amazer was a large broodmare and very beautiful, a dark bay with a white blaze. The result was a colt named Amazing Bust who turned out rather too tall for the Flat but won races in France and went to Northern Ireland as a NH sire. A year after this mating he returned Amazer to Busted, not yet knowing what large offspring this mating might produce.
THE HORSE
This time it gave a colt even more handsome than his sire, like his dam his dark coat was set off by white and he was more compact than Busted, not as tall. He had inherited the regal looking head and neck, powerful quarters and more importantly, though no one would know for sometime - the deadly turn of foot. Mtoto went to the yearling sales at Tattersalls and Moore was pleasantly surprised to find that as both Guy Harwood and Sheik Ahmed Maktoum were interested in him, his price soared. He was secured by bloodstock agent David Minton for Sheik Ahmed for 110,000 guineas. David Minton recalls that Mtoto was a typical Busted, having the look of his sire and his movement.
Mtoto means 'little one' in Swahili and the M is nearly silent.
AT TWO AND THREE 1985-1986
Sent by his owner to be trained by Alec Stewart then a new trainer in Newmarket, Mtoto had one run as a juvenile, finishing third in a 7 furlong maiden at Yarmouth which his trainer thought was a very good race. Mtoto had tired at the end and finished lame and it was found that he had chipped a bone in his near hind joint. This was unfortunate as they had entered him in top class two year old races like the Royal Lodge. His second outing was as a three-year-old when he won a 1 1/4 maiden at Haydock. He ran six times at 3 and gave a glimpse of future promise on his final run, when finishing fourth to Sure Blade in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in September. Emulating his sire he would not show his best form until he was older. During his 3rd year he had begun to have problems with his feet which became dry and crumbly and his blacksmith Harry Buckle could not keep shoes on him. He was sent for a holiday to Kildangan Stud in Ireland where the high calcium content of the grass and being put on peat restored him to perfect condition. Mtoto was never troubled by foot problems again.
AT FOUR - 1987
Like his sire Mtoto's improvement from 3 to 4 years was marked. Busted had won his Eclipse at 4 and Mtoto took his victory in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes with ease beating the odds-on AIlez Milord by two and a half lengths with the useful Moon Madness behind them in 4th. Turning for home Mtoto was last. On that day he clearly displayed what would become his trademark ability to accelerate at the end of his races. Fan immediately recognized that this was something out of the ordinary and from that point on he was very special to them. His usual jockey Michael Roberts was suspended so he was ridden by Richard Hills for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. He won by the same margin of two and half lengths from Amerigo Vespucci and viewers were reminded more and more of his sire Busted. Richard Hills enthused afterwards about his turn of foot, calling it "electrifying". This description would be repeated throughout Mtoto's career. With that speed and his pedigree the obvious next target was the Eclipse.
THE LEGEND BEGINS
This year's race promised to be a very high class renewal with the presence of the Derby winner Reference Point, the mare Triptych, winner of the Coronation Cup; Bellotto, third in the Derby; and Mtoto who stepped into Group 1 company for the first time. Reference Point was the first Derby winner to take part since Mill Reef won in 1971 and there was a theory that Henry Cecil's star would gallop his rivals into the ground with his front running blistering pace.
Reference Point started as evens favourite and looked fantastic in the parade ring but most agreed that Mtoto was the pick of the paddock. Eight went to post on good-to-firm ground and in a repeat of tactics used in the Derby, Steve Cauthen sent Reference Point on to blaze a trail that even his own pacemaker could not keep pace with as he began in 4th! Despite Reference Point being so far in front at such breakneck speed Mtoto maintained his usual place at the rear until two furlongs out when Michael Roberts sent him on to join Reference Point and the pair battled it out right to the line. Mtoto showed the same speed at the end of the race that had put Reference Point so far in front at the beginning. Both horses draped in jockeys in yellow and black silks stretched every muscle in their finely tuned bodies until they looked as if they would break. Mtoto drew to the front but Reference Point fought back close home eventually to be beaten by three-quarters of a length. Triptych got trapped on the rail and had to go wide, once out she ran on incredibly well in the closing stages to grasp third a length and a half away, but Bellotto was a further ten lengths back in fourth. The time of 2 min. 4.33 seconds set a new race record and there was no doubt that the crowd had just witnessed two really great horses, while the mare was secure with her place in racing's heart. The final instalment to this story makes it even more incredible - Michael Roberts said that Mtoto resented the whip during the final stages of the race and that he drove him out with hands and heels. Throughout his career Moto would show that he knew how fast he could scythe through the field and he loved it. When Michael alighted from the horse one of his first comments was that he would get further.
This fuelled dreams of the King George but the ground looked to be turning heavy and Alec Stewart decided not to run him as they would not find out if he did stay if the ground was against him. He then contracted a virus and had a temperature of 105 which kept him off for 5 or 6 weeks. They readied him for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe but perhaps still not at his best he did not settle at the back of the field as well as usual and burned up his energy before his acceleration was called upon. He still managed a creditable fourth to Trempolino, Tony Bin and Triptych, beaten just over five lengths. His final run that year was the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket 13 days later but he had obviously not recovered from his exertions and due to the softish going he ran poorly finishing only eighth of 11 behind Triptych whose day it was.
AT FIVE - THE SECOND ECLIPSE AND A KING GEORGE 1988
It was even more of a rarity in the 1980's than it is now for 5 year olds to be kept in training, especially if they were Group 1 winners. The announcement in 1988 that Mtoto would race in his 5th year was met with gratitude by the public who had come to love him. He opened his season in May at Goodwood in the Festival Stakes in a field of 6 where he turned up looking more robust and even stronger than previous seasons. He won easily but the race was declared void due to the jockeys having taken a wrong turn because of incorrectly placed dolls which meant that they had only run 1 mile and 1 furlong.
He then began his build up for Royal Ascot and his second appearance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. There was only a field of four which included the Lockinge Stakes winner Fahd Salman's Broken Hearted, Highland Chieftan and Galitzin. Wth so few in the field this would have to be a tactical ride, Mtoto would be unable to come from behind as he liked. Neverthless he added the race to his portfolio of six wins over 1 ¼ mile.
Next stop was the Eclipse. The ground was riding a little dead but described as good on the day. Mtoto was the 6/4 favourite. The field was eight in all and included Broken Hearted, Triptych fresh from her second Coronation Cup, and Henry Cecil's grey filly Indian Skimmer, winner of the Prix de Diane the previous year. Eight runners were installed on good ground. Outsiders Shady Heights and Galitzin led into the straight, and Mtoto, having uncharacteristically lost ground out of the stalls, was last turning for home. But he began to make up ground three furlongs out, and just before the distance, collared the fillies Indian Skimmer and Triptych. Joining Shady Heights for the final furlong, the pair battled on until 50 yards out, when Michael Roberts, switching from whip to hands and heels, pushed Mtoto ahead to win by a neck. He thus became only the fourth dual winner in the history of the race, and the first since Polyphontes in 1924-1925. The two previous dual winners were Orneint 1892-93 and Buchan in 1919-1920.
It was now time to find out if he would stay the distance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot but once again the ground turned good to soft before the race. There was so much concern about this that it was not known until noon on the race day that Mtoto would take his place. Unfuwain had recently won the Princess of Wales's Stakes by 15 lengths and became favourite at odds of 2/1, while the ground caused Mtoto's price to drift to 4/1. There was a feeling upon the day that Mtoto would be beaten. Despite the ground Michael held him up in his usual last place which was a risky move as the soft going would make it harder for them to make up ground. Rounding the corner into the straight they were going so fast that Mtoto looks unbalanced which is most unusual for him but determination is writ large upon his expressive face. Once in the straight they took on Unfuwain two furlongs out and pulled into the lead. Unfuwain stayed on for 2nd two lengths back with Tony Bin a length and a half away in third. It was a very brave performance and the ride given was a testament to Michael's belief in the ability of the horse. It was a proud day for connections as they received their awards from The Queen. Mtoto had now scaled the heights of greatness and there was only one task left for him to do.
HONOUR IN A HEARTBREAKING DEFEAT
He toyed with the opposition to win the Select Stakes at Goodwood as a warm-up to his return to the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe for his finale. It is very difficult for a British horse to go to Longchamp and triumph, the roll call of winners is awe inspiring. So too is the list of those who should have won but were beaten, Nijinsky, Ardross, Sir Ivor, Park Top and Mtoto.
We know so much more thirteen years later than we did then about the field of 24 with which he lined up. It must have been impressive on the day at Longchamp with the horses in the paddock. But now when we speak about Unfuwain, we know what he has achieved at stud. We recall his daughters, Lahan 1,000 Guineas winner, Petrushka priceless racemare Lailani, six times winner. How we treasure the Oaks winner Diminuendo in her absence. Game Triptch sadly killed in a freak accident at stud. The Derby winner Kahyasi. Tony Bin the Italian champion who was sold to Japan and died at stud in 2001 at the age of 17. And let us not forget the jockeys who all wanted to win the race on that day. Mtoto and Michael Roberts deserved to take their place but they were up against the hardest task they ever faced. Hamdan Maktoum had two pacemakers in the field for his horse and all knew that this would make it harder to know when to kick on. Mtoto started as favourite and looked magnificent in the paddock, ready to meet his final destiny.
Michael walked the course that day and decided to follow Tony Bin through the field as he knew Mtoto would have a finishing kick. When they turned into the straight they had just six behind them. The pace was really furious and with the big field it was a rough race. It should be a just thing for the best horse in the field to win but sadly it does not always work out that way. Mtoto was the one they all feared and he was intentionally trapped behind a wall of horses. Tony Bin got first run and went on. When Mtoto got out he reeled in the whole field and was seconds away from Tony Bin. On the line there was only a neck between them. But Tony Bin had won. Boyatino was 3rd, Unfuwain 4th, Kahyasi 6th and little Diminuendo 10th. It was said that Tony Bin was the best Italy had bred since Ribot and his jockey John Reid still maintains that he knew on that day that his horse would win the race. There was no disgrace in finishing behind him but for some of us there will always be a deep sorrow in knowing that the last few strides of the race were altered by human intervention. Take nothing away from Tony Bin. John Reid and us will always oppose - for us, it is without doubt that Mtoto would otherwise have won the race.
Mtoto was the personification of The Thoroughbred, perfect conformation, grace, beauty, speed and fire. Racing needs heroes like him.
RETIREMENT AND STUD CAREER
In 1989 Mtoto took his emotional leave from Clarehaven Stables, his lad Victor Todd and his trainer. He had been with them for four years during which time he had become an institution in Newmarket and all who knew him spoke of him as irreplaceable. Victor said that he was such a nice horse you would not know that you had him. Apparently he did have one foible though, it tickled him when he was groomed and he did not much care for it! His fans too would miss him. He was syndicated in shares to James Wigan and the Duke of Roxburghe amongst others, and retired to the Aston Upthorpe Stud in Oxfordshire at a fee of £18,000. Eleven years later, after siring Celeric, Presenting and Shaamit, his stud fee was reduced to the bargain price of £5,000, and in his twilight years it would go down again to £4,000. This in no way reflected his true value but rather fashion which is so fickle and had deemed that middle distance horses were not in vogue.
During the peak of his time at stud Mtoto was often said to be the best chance of a classic winner and the most underrated stallion in Britain. It is true that he got good ones from limited chances. He was a horse who had it all and meeting him did not disappoint.
The Darley stallion parade at Dalham Hall when Moto was still standing was an awesome event. Machiavellian, the mighty Singspiel, brave Kayf Tara, Arc winner Sagamix, the swift Lend a Hand and King's Best. It was heartening to know and a real measure of Mtoto's worth, that of all of these fine stallions shown in 2002 the queue around the box of this 18 year old was the longest. Bob Woods, his handler since 1989 took him out of his box to walk him around and one could not help but pause to admire and hope to remember his likeness. Racehorses like him do not come along very often.
At Aston Upthorpe Stud he had the run of the place as he was the only stallion standing there, other than the teaser who himself had bred winners and was by Blakeney. Much loved and very spoiled (quite deservedly so) by Bob and staff he had his own little chalet of a box which opened out at the back onto his private paddock. He was a truly beautiful animal. He enjoyed meeting the public who came to see him but even in his old age long after retiring from stud duties he remained very much his own boss and he would dismiss you with a flip of his fine mane when he was bored with you. He never lost interest in the mares who came to foal or be covered and he would call to them over the hedges.
In 2009 The Thoroughbred Breeder's Association Stud Staff Awards went to Bob Woods the man who had been Mtoto's close companion since 1989.
"The recipient of the January 2009 TBA Stud Staff Award is Bob Woods, who has worked as Stallion Man at Aston Upthorpe Stud owned by Rabbah Bloodstock for 25 years. During his time at Aston Upthorpe Bob was responsible for Touching Wood when he retired to stud and accompanied him to New Zealand when the horse went to live there. Bob also looked after Mtoto (sire of Derby winner Shaamit, Gold Cup winner Celeriac and leading jump sire Presenting) from when he began his career at stud in 1988, and still cares for him since he retired from stud duties. He is also responsible for Zilzal (retired) and the stud’s teaser stallion Layal who at 29 is still covering foster mares.
The longevity and excellent condition of all three horses is a testament to Bob’s fine management and handling of stallions."
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have met and known this great racehorse and we will never forget him.
REMEMBRANCE
Few people, let alone racehorses have a presence that transmits on film. Watching old videos of Mtoto in action it is impossible not to feel yourself back in time to the day and place as emotions sweep over you. You do not find yourself wishing you had been there, you are there as Michael Roberts creeps up the wide outside. Suddenly the 'electrifying' acceleration kicks in and he passes galloping horses as if they are standing still, bettering even the blistering speed of Mill Reef's son Reference Point.
His most emotional race is his last. No matter how many times I watch the video with every viewing hope springs anew that he will get out of the wall of horses and be able to use his acceleration. The commentary tells you that Cash Asmussen sitting on Mtoto's outside has been successful in creating a cage to give his charge Village Star an advantage. With Mtoto kept in check Tony Bin and John Reid get first run and although Mtoto finishes best of all he is beaten a neck. Cash's horse is nowhere - this is the real tragedy. There is something dark and unjust about preventing the best horse in a race from winning. Even though he lost he proved what a great racehorse he was, this is his finest hour and my favourite race of his. It is not often that a horse receives plaudits in defeat but Brough Scott summed up his brilliance in the video 'Mtoto' made by Pacemaker Production when asked to name Mtoto's greatest day. He said that as a racing fan he really loved that the horse was still being campaigned at the highest level while in the Autumn of his 5th year. He recalled his King George triumph on ground that was against him and then paused and instead nominated his last race when his finishing kick and his courage was not quite enough without luck in running. Brough emotionally concluded that sometimes there is glory in defeat and that we must view it as so on that day at Longchamp.
PROGENY
The similarities between Busted and Mtoto continued at stud as they both sired stayers. Busted had Weavers Hall who won the Irish Derby and Bustino who won the St Leger. Mtoto's son Celeric proved he had not only inherited his sire's beauty but also his deadly turn of foot when he cut his way through from the back of a fine field to take the Ascot Gold Cup and the title of Champion Stayer in 1997. In 1996 Shaamit out of an unraced Habitat mare called Shomoose and homebred by Khalifa Dasmal in whose colours he raced made his seasonal debut in the Derby, very unusual for a 3 year old. Trainer William Haggas had enlisted the opinion of Father in Law Lester Piggott as to if the horse was good enough to win a Derby. Lester said yes and as usual he was right. This was Mtoto's first classic success story and his only Derby winner but his runners continued to compete successfully at the highest level.
Sadly Shaamit died young at stud and never got the recognition that he deserved. But his offspring have thrilled racing with their beauty and tenacity and it is hoped that he will be remembered for sometime to come. One son of Shaamit who has inherited the family good looks has achieved local hero status without competeing at the top, Lygeton Lad trained by Gay Kelleway. He has notched up a series of wins on the all weather and the turf. His usual jockey Michael Fenton says, 'I love him to bits'. When his son Bollin Eric burst upon the scene he was assured of a huge reception wherever he went as it was apparent from day one that he had inherited the lions share of family good looks. Tall dark and handsome is an understatement. With a white blaze and four white feet he was truly stunning and a reminder to those who had raced for many years of the impression the young Mtoto had given. Mtoto also made a name for himself as a broodmare sire and his mares are highly sought after.
OFFSPRING AT STUD
Mtoto was extremely unusual in that he was affordable to breeders and yet had his own offspring representing him at stud, the most famous of those being Presenting.
Presenting - brown colt 1992 ex D' azy by Persian Bold his own son.
Retired to Rathbarry Stud in County Cork, Ireland. Still no reason why he could not sire a Flat winner but his name will forever be associated with National Hunt breeders through his mighty son Denman and a long list of successes.
Compton Admiral bay colt 1996 by Suave Dancer out of his daughter Sumoto, retired to stud at Hedgeholme Stud in County Durham, but we belive he is now at Erik Penser's Compton Beauchamp Stud. For those who knew Mtoto it was no surprise when Compton Admiral came from last to first to beat Xaar, Fantastic Light and Croco Rouge and take the Eclipse as Mtoto had done so long ago. Regrettably like Shaamit he never got his due and because of injury he was unable to race in his later years.
Summoner bay colt 1997 by Inchinor out of his daughter Sumoto
Stood at Longholes Stud, Newmarket but did not get anough mares and was gelded and put back in training, Now retired and hunting on Exmoor.
Bollin Eric by Shaamit ex Bollin Zola. Retired to the National Stud in Newmarket in 2004, now stands at Wood Farm Stud.
THE FAMILY
Mtoto's beautiful Dam Amazer sired 12 winners in all and was retired from stud in 1991. Mtoto has a very famous cousin, Mutamam who raced in the blue and white silks of Hamdan Al Maktoum for Alec Stewart. Although resembling Mtoto in dark good looks, blaze and white socks he was tiny, a minature version. He lacked nothing in courage though and could be a handful, even in retirement.
Mutamam was by Darshann, out of Petal Girl a half sister to Mtoto. He won 11 of his 21 races, 7 Group races in all and pounds 712,188 in win and place prize-money. Ridden by Richard Hills who loved him he showed his typical strength and bravery to win the Grade 1 Canadian International at Woodbine with other highlights including the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket after a life threatening stomach infection in the winter and consecutive victories in Kempton's September Stakes. He was also a top class 2 year old, he finished third in the Racing Post Trophy.
He was retired at the age of 6 in October 2001 after he finished unplaced in the Breeders Cup, a race which obviously came too soon for him after his Canadian International. He may have also been a sick horse as upon retirement when The National Stud in Newmarket negotiated a deal to purchase him he failed the vet due to infection with the klebsielia virus which he picked up when in the US for the Breeders' Cup. He began stallion duties there after recovery in February 2002 for a fee of pounds 6,000 on October 1 terms. But his career was cut short, it is believed he was exported.
Tony Morris said this about Mutamam and Mtoto in the Racing Post -
"Though only three months short of his (official) seventh birthday, Mutamam has seen comparatively little action, with just 20 races behind him. But the CV is impressive, with six Pattern victories to his name and a string of other notable performances, including a third in the Racing Post Trophy at two, a fourth in the Champion Stakes at three, and another fourth (beating Fantastic Light and Montjeu) in the Breeders' Cup Turf at five. His four-year-old campaign amounted to only a single start, when he picked up an injury in the Dubai Turf Classic. Mutamam is decidedly a typical Darshaan-an improver with age and experience, who proved highly effective at a mile and a quarter, but is now seen to best advantage in a stronger test of stamina. But that also seems reminiscent of his most distinguished close relative on the distaff side, his `uncle' Mtoto."
"Also bred by John Moore and trained by Alec Stewart for a member of the Maktoum family, Mtoto finished only fifth on his first effort at 12 furlongs in the King Edward VII Stakes, and a subsequent good fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes might even have suggested that a mile suited him best. As it turned out, seven of his eight career victories came at around a mile and a quarter (two of them in the Eclipse), but his victory at five in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and his two bold runs in the Arc-fourth to Trempolino and second to Tony Bin by a rapidly diminishing neck-were all outstanding performances."
"Mutamam is not quite the tip-top runner that Mtoto was, but he is the best to have emerged from his family since that star of the late 1980s-and it is not as though little has occurred. Mtoto was the ninth winner produced by the propitiously named Amazer, who proceeded to deliver six more before granted honourable retirement. The 12th to score was Caerleon's daughter, Savoureuse Lady, successful in the Group 3 Prix Fille de l'Air, and she was followed by a full-sister, Petal Girl, a respectable miler who was placed in Listed company and delivered Mutamam as her second foal."
"Six of Amazer's daughters were winner-producers, including Mtoto's sister, Button Up, whose High Line filly Ruffle won the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron and in due course became dam of another Group 3 scorer, the Highest Honor colt Go Between, in the Prix de Conde."
"Amazer had seemed set for a notable racing career herself when she beat a big field of maidens at Maisons-Laffitte as a juvenile, but she did not progress much, turning out to be an ordinary handicapper at three. She was nine years old, having been represented by a single winner, when her owner-breeder, Sir Robin McAlpine, despatched her to the December Sales, where John Moore bought her for 5,800gns."
"The decision to sell Amazer was understandable, because McAlpine had her younger and superior half-sister Silver Zara, winner of the Group 3 Prix Perth. But while Amazer delivered nothing but winners at Moore's Biddestone Stud, Silver Zara proved barren five times, had two foals who died within days of birth, and three others who achieved nothing."
"Sound judgement helps in this business, but so often luck seems to be the crucial factor."
NOTE: Although Biddestone Stud continued their breeding operation they no longer owned any broodmares related to Mtoto. They sold two safe in the knowledge that they still had two, one died foaling and the other broke her neck in a paddock accident. They tried to buy back one of the ones sold but could not. John Moore died on September 27, 2005 aged 83. We had the pleasure to talk to him about Mtoto and he was, understandably, very proud of the horse he bred.
SOME NOTABLE PROGENY
In a long and illustrious career at stud it is impossible to name all of Mtoto's winners without going on forever and continuously updating these pages. Those named below are the outstanding ones as at June 2004.
SUMOTO b.f. 1990 ex Soemba by General Assembly
Won 2 races. Dam of Compton Admiral and Summoner.
Sumoto was owned by Jim Furlong President of the Racehorse Owners Association who purchased her for 6,500 guineas when Compton Admiral was a yearling. In June 2000 she was consigned by the National Stud at Tattersalls to Lord and Lady Weber for their Watership Down Stud for 920,000 guineas.
COMPTON ADMIRAL - bay colt 1996 by Suave Dancer out of Sumoto.
Owned by Eric Pensner trained by Gerald Butler at Compton.
Won the Craven Stakes at 2, Coral-Eclipse Stakes at 3. Suffered from leg problems which prevented him from taking part in races connections believed he could have won. Was retired to stud in 2001 after sustaining a further injury. VERY underrated, a really fine horse.
SUMMONER - bay colt 1997 by Inchinor out of Sumoto.
Summoner was the third foal of Sumoto. Unlike Mtoto he required soft ground to show his best and did so in a shock result when he and the inspired Richard Hills won the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot from stablemate Noverre whose pacemaker he was intended as. He won 5 races in total, was beaten only a neck in the Listed Strensall Stakes at York and was also second in the Listed Vodafone Thoroughbred at Goodwood. After winning the QEII he went to Dubai but never regained his form or his ground.
CELERIC- bay gelding 1992 ex Hot Spice by Hotfoot
Homebred by Christopher Spence at his Chieveley Manor Stud
Trained by Mrs Spence's brother the late David Morley, and John Dunlop
Most often ridden by Pat Eddery whose superb timing matched that of the horse, late and fast. Fans remember him because of his regal bearing and exceptional beauty, and his 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' personality. WON 13 races including Newcastle Brown Ale Northumberland Plate, Jockey Club Stakes, Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup, Champion Stayer in 1997. Retired to his owner's stud where he is much loved and admired by all.
PRESENTING - brown colt 1992 ex D' azy by Persian Bold
Won 6 races including Madagans Newmarket Stakes, Geoffrey Freer Stakes, Westminster Taxi Insurance Gordon Stakes, Tripleprint Stakes. Third in Vodafone Derby Stakes. Presenting won or placed in 9 of his 10 starts from 6f to 13f. His story continued at stud and he joined the immortals when he sired Denman.
His record speaks for itself and there can be few national hunt racegoers who have not seen his name in a racecard.
Multiple Champion National Hunt Sire in GB/IRE (2006-2010)
Dual Grade 1 Sire at Cheltenham in 2009 & 2010
Sire of Gr.1 Winners at each of the Cheltenham festivals in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Sire of at least 1 Grade 1 winner at the last 6 Cheltenham Festivals (2006 – 2011)
Sire of 2 Cheltenham Gold Cup winners from his first 3 crops, (War Of Attrition and Denman).
BALLABRIGGS (IRE) (Papoose) won John Smith’s Grand National Handicap ChaseGr.3, Aintree
ZEMSKY (IRE) (Chic And Elite) – Won Class 2 Foxhunter Chase, Cheltenham
FIRST LIEUTENANT (IRE) (Fourstargale) - Won Gr.1 Novices’ Hurdle, Cheltenham
JESSIES DREAM (IRE) (Lady Apprentice) – 2nd Gr.1 RSA Chase, Cheltenham
DENMAN (IRE) (Pollerton) – Won Gr.1 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase, Gr.1 Lexus Chase
WAR OF ATTRITION (IRE) (Good Thyne (USA)) – Won Gr.1 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Gr.1, Guinness Gold Cup, Gr.1 Swordlestown Cup
DUNGUIB (IRE) (Durgam (USA)) – Won Gr.1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, Gr.1Champion Bumper, Cheltenham, Gr.1 Deloitte Novices’ Hurdle
WEAPON’S AMNESTY (IRE) (Old Vic) – Won Gr.1 RSA Chase, Cheltenham, Gr.1Spa Nov. Hurdle, Cheltenham
HERECOMESTHETRUTH (IRE) (Roselier (FR)) – Won Gr.1 Challengers Nov. Chase, Gr.2 Ladbrokes.com Chase, Gr.2 Pendil Novices’ Chase
JERED (IRE) (Phardante (FR)) – Won Gr.1 Champion Novice Hurdle, Punchestown,Gr.2 Dunboyne Castle Nov. Hurdle
SILVERBURN (IRE) (Pollerton) – Won Gr.1 Challengers Nov. Chase, Sandown, Gr.1Tolworth Hurdle
ANOTHER PROMISE (IRE) (Strong Gale) – Won Gr.1 Swordlestown Cup Nov. Chase, Gr.2 HBLB Lightning Nov. Chase
NICHE MARKET (IRE) (Jurado (USA)) – Won Gr.1 Irish Grand National, Fairyhouse,L. Silver Cup Chase, Ascot
ANOTHERCOPPERCOAST (IRE) (Persian Mews) – Won Gr.1 Leopardstown Handicap Chase
CHINA ROCK (IRE) (Torus) – Won Gr.2 Gowran Park Champion Chase, 2nd Gr.1Champion Nov. Chase, Punchestown, Gr.3 Star Best For Racing Novices’ Chase
WOOLCOMBE FOLLY (IRE) (Strong Gale) – Won Gr.2 Blue Square Lightning Novices’ Chase, Doncaster
WHATUTHINK (IRE) (Orchestra) – Won Gr.2 Future Champions Nov. Hdle, Leopardstown, 3rd Gr.1 Irish Grand National
TURPIN GREEN (IRE) (Buckskin (FR)) – Won Gr.2 Mersey Nov. Hurdle, 3rd Gr.1Cheltenham Gold Cup
WELL PRESENTED (IRE) (Buckskin (FR)) – Won Gr.2 Nas Na Riogh Nov. Chase, Naas, 2nd Gr.1 Dr P J Moriarty Nov. Chase
OUR BEN (IRE) (Be My Native (USA)) – Won Gr.2 Hilly Way Chase, Cork, 3rd Gr.1Royal & Sun Alliance Novices’ Hurdle.
ARBATAX br.c. 1993 ex CAPRAROLA by BELLYPHA.
WON 2 races incl. Prix Hocquart, Longchamp.
SHAAMIT bay colt 1993 ex Shomoose by Habitat
Trained by William Haggas to fulfil a fairy tale destiny as 'work rider' Lester Piggott Haggas's Father in Law proclaimed early on that the colt was good enough to win the Derby. Overlooked both on the track and at stud but actually very well bred. His dam Shomoose and her sire the speedy Habitat was the best sire stood at Airlie Stud by the late Captain Tim Rogers. Won at 2, and despite not having a prep race at 3 he came out first time and won the Derby. Was then unlucky, Third in King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes. Retired to the National Stud where he did not receive the mares he deserved as middle distance horses became unfashionable. He acted as a shuttle stallion to South Africa where his offspring sold very well and he was popular. He was then secured by Alfred Buller at Scarvagh House Stud in County Down, Northern Ireland. where he contacted colic in 2001 and was sadly lost. A beautiful horse.
BOOK AT BEDTIME bay filly 1994 ex Akila by Top Ville Won 2 races including Park Hill Stakes, Doncaster. Sadly she died in 1998.
MAYLANE bay colt 1994 ex Possessive Dancer by Shareef Dancer
Won the Tote Gold Trophy Handicap at Goodwood and the September Stakes beating Derby second Dusyyantor.
MBELE bay.colt trained by William Muir, won the sport4cast.com Gordon Carter Handicap at 20-1. Was thought to be a classy stayer in the making but temperament and injuries made him difficult to train.
PENSHIEL bay gelding Trained by John Dunlop. Very promising gelding, won at Beverley, Lingfield and Yarmouth. Highly thought of and another classy stayer on the way up when an injury curtailed his career.
MOSELLE b.f. 1997 Mtoto ex Miquette (Fabulous Dancer)
Trained by William Haggas. Won 3 races, two of them Listed and placed 5 times.
MOT JUSTE bay filly February 1998 by Mtoto ex Bunting (Shaadi)
Owned by Sheikh Mohammed and trained by Ed Dunlop and Christophe Clement.
Another who inherited the looks of her sire and much of his talent. Campaigned at the highest level. Tough and beautiful. Won 2 races and gave her sire a memorable 1-2 in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket by a short neck from Tarfshi. She was a fighter who placed in the best company. Second at The Curragh in the Irish Oaks beaten only a neck by stablemate Lailani daughter of Unfuwain. Fourth in the Epsom Oaks to Imagine, beaten only 4 lengths. Fourth to Aquarilliste at Longchamp in the Prix Vermielle Barriere, second at Longchamp in the Prix de l'Opera only 1 ½ lengths behind star filly Terre a Terre. Finally she crossed the Atlantic securing one Graded race during her career there but also came third to the Guineas and Oaks winner Kazzia in the Flower Bowl International at Belmont. She finished third again in her last race at Aqueduct.
TARFSHI bay filly April 1999 by Mtoto ex Pass The Peace (Alzao)
Trained by Michael Jarvis. Very well bred, her dam being a ½ sister to Embassy who won the Cheveley Park and the Princess Margaret Stakes. Pass The Peace herself won the Cheveley and was second in the French 1,000 Guineas. Tarfshi won 5 races in total including the Listed Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket and the Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh. Often raced against Mot Juste and was a short head second to her in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket and seventh in the Epsom Oaks.
SALIM TOTO
Trained by Hughie Morrison at the end of her career. Large imposing filly who had the look of her sire about her. Believed to be a Group filly by her trainer she rarely got her ground but was very well balanced and won at Epsom under an inspired ride by Fallon. Had the Coronation Cup as her target at one time but was put in foal to Singspiel and did not hold her form following that. Watch for the offspring!
BOLLIN ERIC bay colt by Shaamit ex Bollin Zola
Bollin Eric has his own pages on this website (This is a very popular family!) You can read about his exploits there. Suffice to say that he too inherited the family looks and talent and in 18 starts was only out of the frame once, 11 of those Group level. Very unusal for a stayer (although Double Trigger did it too) he won twice as a 2 year old. He was Champion 3 Year Old Stayer in Europe in 2003.
SERIOUS ATTITUDE
2008 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine
OVER OBSTACLES
Mtoto himself was fairly successful woth his offspring over obstacles but it was through his son Presenting that he really shone.
VIDEO, PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES OF MTOTO
There is no book written about Mtoto but the video tells the story of his life up until retirement to stud and has footage of all of his races. It is available from racing booksellers. He was a horse which should never be forgotten so racing fans should be thankful of this opportunity to see him if they were not racing when he did.
Mtoto was a classic beauty, powerfully built with a proud head and thick mane. His looks assured that artists would paint and sculpt him and they have. Of those we have seen these are worth investigating.
Paintings -
Sue Wingate
Painted Mtoto in flight with Michael Roberts. There are cards available of this painting. Look at her website at www.field-galleries.co.uk
Lisa Miller visited Mtoto and painted him.
Oil painting and prints available on her website, www.thepaintedhorse.co.uk
Caroline Cook has also painted Mtoto and has a website at www.carolinecook.com
A Bronze of Mtoto -
Rosemary Hetherington made a small bronze of him (winning the Eclipse) which now adorns the dining table in the cottage on the Aston Upthorpe Estate which is used when important visitors come to see Mtoto. The bronze has captured the look of Mtoto perfectly and in the burnished colour it reflects how his coat looks on a sunny day. She has her own website at www.sculpture-to-wear.co.uk
CREDITS
Thank you to Aston Upthorpe Stud and Bob Woods for letting us visit Mtoto and keeping us up-to-date about him, to the author and bloodstock expert Michael Church for his wonderful book 'Eclipse, the Horse, the Awards, the Race' which we have taken details from and to my friend the beautiful character Celeric who was the one who taught me how great his sire line was.
FOOTNOTE: Death of Alec Stewart
Alec Stewart died at his home in Newmarket on the morning of Wednesday 4th August 2004. He had been battling cancer for a couple of years and appeared to be winning but he deteriorated quickly in the last few weeks.
Many were quick to pay tribute to him, not just for his gift with horses but for the person that he was. He will always be remembered for Mtoto and Mutaman who were both the proof of his talents, but he applied the same care and attention to all of his horses that he gave the champions. He did not really get the credit that he deserved as towards the end of his career and life he did not have a high profile horse, but racegoers were thrilled that Mandobi in Mtoto's colours, won the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot this year and they gave Alec a very warm welcome when he came into the Winner's Enclosure. No one could have known that he was desperately ill at the time as he was as gracious as ever talking to everyone. Some people who reach great heights early in their career do not like to be reminded and would rather not look back but Alec always had time for fans who wanted to share their memories of Mtoto. When we were writing the profile of Mtoto we were invited to visit Clarehaven and it was clear that Alec had a great love of horses and the history of racing. Thank you to him for all of the memories he gave to us.
Our sympathies go to his family, wife Katherine, son Archie and daughter Georgina.
From the Racing Post Thursday August 5th, 2004
Stewart's death a "terrible blow"
by Rodney Masters
LUCA CUMANI and Henry Cecil were among the leading names to pay tribute to trainer Alec Stewart, who died on Wednesday at his home at Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket after losing his prolonged battle with cancer. He was 49.
Stewart trained nearly 500 winners in Britain and will long be remembered for his achievements in the late 1980s with the brilliant Mtoto.
Apart from recording back-to-back successes in the Eclipse Stakes, Mtoto won the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and was runner-up to Tony Bin in the 1988 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
His most recent high-profile success came at this year's Royal Ascot with Mandobi, who carried the Mtoto colours of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum in the Britannia Handicap. The same colt was to be Stewart's final runner, finishing runner-up in a Listed race at Goodwood on Saturday.
At Ascot, Mandobi had bridged a 16-year-old gap. The stable had endured a sequence of frustrating near-misses at the meeting since its most recent success there, with Mtoto in the Prince of Wales's Stakes in 1988. As Stewart pointed out as he greeted Mandobi: "We've had an awful lot of seconds and thirds here."
The Jockey Club granted a temporary licence on Wednesday for the 60-strong stable to Ed Vaughan, Stewart's assistant for the past 18 months. Vaughan was previously assistant to Charlie Mann and Noel Chance.
Stewart, who was supported throughout his 21-year training career by the Maktoum family, was diagnosed with cancer two yearsago. He seemed to be responding successfully to treatment, but his condition deteriorated over the last few weeks. He had recently returned to Newmarket following a holiday in the south of France with his wife Katherine and children Archie and Georgina.
Few were closer to Stewart than Cumani, who described him on Wednesday as a 'thoroughly genuine man'.
"Alec was a great, great friend of ours and his loss is a terrible blow to everyone who knew him," he said.
Cumani added: "Alec was the most wonderful companion and our families shared many happy times together, both here in Newmarket and on holiday. He was a great person to be around and we will miss him dreadfully."
Cumani's tribute was echoed by Henry Cecil, another close friend.
"Alec was such a good, genuine person and it is so terribly sad that he has died at such a young age. He was a lovely man and always fun to be around. You only need to look down his long lists of top class winners to gauge what a good trainer he was."
Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, said one of Stewart's major strengths as a trainer was his patience. This was typified by his handling of Mutamam, whose triumphs, at the age of six, included the 2001 Grade 1 Canadian International and the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket.
Gold said. "Alec had trained Mutamam until the end of his career as a three-year-old, when he was transferred to Godophin. He was never the easiest of horses at the best of times and developed leg trouble. He was returned to Alec, and it's to his immense credit he got him to win at the highest level. Alec would never overface horses. They'd get all the time they required.
On a personal level, Gold added. "I started riding out for him many years ago and we became good friends. He'd fought his illness with such courage and will be much missed."
Recalling his former assistant, the ex-trainer Tom Jones said: "In my time I had many talented assistants, including (Sir) Michael Stoute, Jeremy Hindley and Adrian Maxwell, all obviously booked for stardom once they left me. But Alec was a one-off. He made himself.
"Alec had enormous patience with horses and produced many top class older horses from the most unlikely material. Always young at heart, he faced his horrid affliction with the same dauntless courage that made him a peerless example not only to his profession but to his fellow sufferers.
"Not only his family at Newmarket, but everyone who loves horses and horseracing will mourn his loss."
Willie Carson rode a number of winners for Stewart and said: "He was so young. It was a brave battle he had, and my wife and I are very saddened from the news. He was a true gentleman, that's what he was."
