The Century Dream

Hailing from such faraway places as Gilltown Stud (Ireland), Razza Dormello (Italy), Chez Ternynck (France), Seadown Stud (New Zealand) and Meadow Stable (USA), 14 legends of the turf converge upon Churchill Downs, ready to lay it on the line ...one last time. Here they are, in post position order:

PP	HORSE	YEAR	AGE	WT	JOCKEY	TRAINER

1	EXCELLER	1978	5	126	F. HEAD	C. WHITTINGHAM
2	DAYLAMI (Ire)	1999	5	126	L. DETTORI	S. SUROOR
3	NIJINSKY II	1970	3	122	L. WARD	V. O'BRIEN
4	ALLEZ FRANCE	1974	4	123	Y. SAINT-MARTIN	A. PENNA
5	JOHN HENRY	1981	6	126	L. PINCAY	R. McANALLY
6	ROUND TABLE	1958	4	126	W. SHOEMAKER	W. MOLTER JR.
7	RIBOT (Ity)	1956	4	126	E. CAMICI	F. TESIO
8	SEA-BIRD II (Fr)	1965	3	122	P. GLENNON	E. POLLET
9	MILL REEF	1971	3	122	G. LEWIS	I. BALDING
10	DAHLIA	1974	4	123	B. PYERS	M. ZILBER
11	ALL ALONG (Fr)	1983	4	123	W. SWINBURN	P. BIANCONE
12	SECRETARIAT	1973	3	122	R. TURCOTTE	L. LAURIN
13	ALLEGED	1977	3	122	L. PIGGOTT	V. O'BRIEN
14	PHAR LAP (NZ)	1930	4	125	J. PIKE	T. WOODCOCK

Following are race records (year chosen and lifetime) for each horse, as well as notable accomplishments and other tidbits:

-	Won England's Coronation Cup (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1977
-	Three-time Group 1 winner in France (lifetime)
-	Seven-time Grade 1 winner in North America
-	Won 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) at Belmont Park, defeating Seattle Slew and Affirmed
-	Won 1978 San Juan Capistrano H. (G1) at Santa Anita, defeating Noble Dancer
-	Won 1977 Canadian International Championship S. (G1) at Woodbine, defeating Majestic Light

-	High Weight Three-Year-Old in France (7-9.5 furlongs) (1997)
-	High Weight Older Horse in England (9.5-11 furlongs) (1998)
-	Champion Turf Horse in 1999
-	Won 1999 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Gulfstream Park
-	Won 1998 Man o' War S. (G1) at Belmont Park
-	Won France's classic Dubai Poule D'essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) (G1) for three-year-old colts in 1997
-	Won England's Coral-Eclipse S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/4 miles) in 1998
-	Won England's Vodafone Coronation Cup (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1999
-	Won England's King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1999
-	Grandson of Mill Reef

-	Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in England (1969)
-	Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in Ireland (1969)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and Horse Of The Year in England (1970)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Ireland (1970)
-	Winner of England's Triple Crown in 1970
-	Won England's classic Two Thousand Guineas (3yo colts and fillies at one mile) in 1970
-	Won England's classic Epsom Derby (3yo colts and fillies at 1 1/2 miles) in 1970
-	Won Irish Derby (3yo colts and fillies at 1 1/2 miles) in 1970
-	Won England's King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth S. (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1970
-	Won England's classic St. Leger S. (3yo colts and fillies at 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 127 yards) in 1970
-	Finished second in France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1970

-	Champion Two-Year-Old Filly in France (1972)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Filly in France (1973)
-	Champion Older Mare and Horse Of The Year in France (1974)
-	Champion Older Mare in France (1975)
-	Won France's classic Poule D'essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) (G1) for three-year-old fillies, defeating champion Dahlia (1973)
-	Won France's classic Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (G1) for three-year-old fillies, defeating champion Dahlia (1973)
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1974
-	Finished second in France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in 1973
-	Eight-time Group 1 winner in France (lifetime)
-	Daughter of Sea-Bird II

-	Champion Turf Horse in 1980
-	Champion Turf Horse, Handicap Horse and Horse Of The Year in 1981
-	Champion Turf Horse in 1983
-	Champion Turf Horse and Horse Of The Year in 1984
-	Won 15 Grade 1 races (lifetime), of which 3 were on dirt and 12 were on grass; of those 12, 9 were at 1 1/2 miles
-	Equalled the course record of 2:23 for 1 1/2 miles on turf in the 1980 San Luis Rey S. (G1) at Santa Anita
-	Set a new course record of 2:13 for 1 3/8 miles on turf in the 1984 Golden Gate H. (G3) at Golden Gate Fields

-	Champion Grass Horse in 1957
-	Champion Grass Horse, Handicap Horse and Horse Of The Year in 1958
-	Champion Grass Horse and Handicap Horse in 1959
-	Set or equalled 15 track records (lifetime)
-	Equalled the world record of 1:46 4/5 for 1 1/8 miles in the 1958 San Antonio H. at Santa Anita carrying 130 pounds
-	Set a new American record of 1:53 2/5 for 1 3/16 miles on turf in the 1959 Arlington H. at Arlington Park carrying 132 pounds
-	Set a new American record of 1:47 1/5 for 1 1/8 miles on turf in the 1959 Stars and Stripes H. at Washington Park carrying 132 pounds
-	Set a new American record of 1:58 2/5 for 1 1/4 miles on turf in the 1959 San Marcos H. at Santa Anita carrying 132 pounds

-	Champion Two-Year-Old in Italy (1954)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in France (1955)
-	Horse Of The Year in Europe (1955)
-	Champion Older Horse in England (1956)
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1955 and 1956 by three and six lengths respectively
-	Won England's King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth S. (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1956 by five lengths
-	Note: After closer inspection of Ribot's accomplishments, I've decided to enter him as a four-year-old (1956) - a year in which his smallest margin of victory was four lengths

-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt, Handicap Horse and Horse Of The Year in France (1965)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and Horse Of The Year in England (1965)
-	Won England's classic Epsom Derby (3yo colts and fillies at 1 1/2 miles) in 1965
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1965 by six lengths, defeating winners of the French, Irish, Russian and Kentucky Derbies, French Oaks and Washington D.C. International
-	Finished second to Grey Dawn II (Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in France) in the 1964 Grand Criterium, for his only career defeat

-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and Horse Of The Year in England (1971)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in France (1971)
-	Champion Older Horse in France (1972)
-	Won England's classic Epsom Derby (3yo colts and fillies at 1 1/2 miles) in 1971 by two lengths
-	Won England's King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1971 by six lengths
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1971 by three lengths
-	Won England's Coronation Cup (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1972
-	Finished second to champion Brigadier Gerard in England's classic Two Thousand Guineas (G1) (3yo colts and fillies at one mile) in 1971

-	Champion Three-Year-Old Filly and Horse Of The Year in England (1973)
-	Champion Older Mare, Grass Horse and Horse Of The Year in England (1974)
-	Champion Older Mare in England (1975)
-	Won 1973 Irish Guinness Oaks (G1) at the Curragh
-	Won England's King George 6th and Queen Elizabeth S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1973 by six lengths, defeating winners of the English, Irish and French Derbies, as well as future Arc winner Rheingold; won same race again in 1974 by 2 1/2 lengths
-	Won 1973 Washington D.C. International H. (G1) at Laurel, defeating Big Spruce
-	Won England's Benson and Hedges Gold Cup (G1) (3&up at 1 5/16 miles) in 1974 and 1975
-	Won France's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) in 1974
-	Won 1974 Man o' War S. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) at Belmont Park
-	Won 1974 Canadian International S. (G2) (3&up at 1 5/8 miles) at Woodbine, defeating Big Spruce and Epsom Derby winner Snow Knight, and setting a new course record of 2:40
-	Won Hollywood Invitational Turf H. (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1976

-	Champion Older Mare in France (1983)
-	Champion Turf Mare and Horse Of The Year (1983)
-	Co-Champion Older Mare in France (1984)
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1983
-	Won 1983 Rothmans International S. (G1) (3&up at 1 5/8 miles) at Woodbine
-	Won 1983 Turf Classic S. (G1) at Aqueduct by 8 3/4 lengths
-	Won 1983 Washington D.C. International H. (G1) at Laurel
-	Granddaughter of Round Table

-	Champion Two-Year-Old Colt and Horse Of The Year in 1972
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt, Grass Horse and Horse Of The Year in 1973
-	Triple Crown winner in 1973
-	Set a new American record of 2:24 for 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont S. (G1) (1973)
-	Set a new course record of 2:24 4/5 for 1 1/2 miles on turf in the Man o' War S. (G1) at Belmont Park (1973)
-	Won 1973 Canadian International S. (G2) (3&up at 1 5/8 miles) at Woodbine, defeating Big Spruce by six lengths

-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in England (1977)
-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in France (1977)
-	Champion Older Horse in France (1978)
-	Won France's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) (3&up at 1 1/2 miles) in 1977 and 1978
-	Finished second to champion filly Dunfermline in England's classic St. Leger S. (G1) (3yo colts and fillies at 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 127 yards) in 1977, for his only career defeat
-	Great-grandson of Ribot

-	Champion Three-Year-Old Colt in Australia (1930)
-	Won Australia's Melbourne Cup (3&up at 2 miles) in 1930 by three lengths, carrying 138 pounds
-	Won 1932 Agua Caliente H. (3&up at 1 1/4 miles on dirt) by two lengths, setting a new track record of 2:02 4/5
-	Stood at 17.1 hands, with a girth measuring 79 inches
-	Nicknamed the "Red Terror"

The field breaks in good order, with the undefeated RIBOT assuming command, pursued by ALLEGED to his outside and the venerable JOHN HENRY to his inside. ROUND TABLE takes up the chase in fourth, flanked by DAYLAMI along the fence and the giant PHAR LAP in the three-path. MILL REEF settles into seventh, while Liam Ward aboard NIJINSKY II elects to save ground into the first turn in eighth. ALL ALONG tracks PHAR LAP in ninth and SECRETARIAT races widest of all in 10th. SEA BIRD glides along in 11th, followed by EXCELLER, ALLEZ FRANCE and DAHLIA.

There are few position changes as the field passes the stands for the first time, with RIBOT clicking off his first half-mile in a solid :47 2/5. Heading into the clubhouse turn, ALLEGED and JOHN HENRY appear content to stalk in second and third respectively, with ROUND TABLE a comfortable fourth and PHAR LAP to his outside in fifth. DAYLAMI, NIJINSKY II and EXCELLER manage to save ground, while ALL ALONG, SECRETARIAT and DAHLIA take the overland route.

As they race down the backside, RIBOT continues to lead by a length over ALLEGED, with JOHN HENRY a half-length farther back in third. After six furlongs in 1:11 2/5 and a mile in 1:35 3/5, the field remains tightly bunched, with DAHLIA trailing by less than 10 lengths. Around the far turn, RIBOT extends his advantage over ALLEGED to two lengths, and JOHN HENRY is unable to respond in third. Meanwhile PHAR LAP, known 'down under' as the "Red Terror", launches a wide bid in fourth, quickly passing the stalkers. DAYLAMI is pinned on the rail behind JOHN HENRY, with ROUND TABLE to his outside. MILL REEF follows PHAR LAP, but can't quite match that rival's acceleration. SEA BIRD begins to weave his way through traffic from the back of the pack, while SECRETARIAT uncorks his rally on the extreme outside.

RIBOT accomplishes the first 1 1/4 miles in a superb 1:59 4/5, with a 2 1/2-length lead over PHAR LAP. ALLEGED, JOHN HENRY and ROUND TABLE press on gamely, but the unrelenting pace is taking its toll. At the top of the stretch, SECRETARIAT is gaining ground, and jockey Pat Glennon steers the mighty SEA BIRD to the outside for his final charge. With less than a furlong to go, RIBOT maintains his 2 1/2-length advantage over PHAR LAP, with SECRETARIAT moving into third and SEA BIRD traveling fastest of all in fourth. Approaching the wire, it's all RIBOT, as he cruises home to a three-length victory over a fast-closing SEA BIRD. PHAR LAP holds off SECRETARIAT for third, and MILL REEF checks in a very respectable fifth.

FINISH	HORSE	MARGINS	COMMENT
1	RIBOT	3	Set pace, won handily
2	SEA BIRD	1/2	Swung out at top of stretch, finished fast
3	PHAR LAP	nk	Launched bid on turn, held gamely for third
4	SECRETARIAT	1	Wide trip, battled to wire
5	MILL REEF	3/4	Finished well without threatening
6	ALLEGED	nk	Stalked winner, couldn't keep pace
7	JOHN HENRY	hd	Saved ground, weakened
8	NIJINSKY II	1	Mid-pack throughout
9	ROUND TABLE	hd	Forwardly placed, tired
10	ALL ALONG	1/2	Three-wide trip, evenly
11	DAHLIA	nk	Trailed for one mile, passed tired horses
12	DAYLAMI	1 1/4	Saved ground mid-pack, tired
13	EXCELLER	1/2	Rated toward rear, no factor
14	ALLEZ FRANCE	-----	Trailed after one mile, dull

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