Yugoslavian Champion Gilgames by Miodrag Milovanovic

Yugoslavian Champion Gilgames

by Miodrag Milovanovic©

Nothing is more appropriate for horses sent to small countries to race than the phrase used by Racing Post columnist Tony Morris when referring to Chilukki's older half-brother, Bahamian Melody - 'exiled to' Yugoslavia. Such horses rarely have a full chance to develop their potential for multiple reasons: often inadequate care and training, generally small chances to face good opponents because of general luck of money for transporting them to countries where they could race in adequate company, etc.

GILGAMES, sired by just another brick in the wall of tried but unsuccessful sons of the great Sadler's Wells, was, as a yearling, 'exiled to' Yugoslavia (for a modest 6,000 guineas) to a new racing stable, Surcin Farm. As a two-year-old in 1998, he won the Kostolac (Yugoslav equivalent of Dewhurst Stakes) and entered his three-year-old season as the Highweighted Two-Year-Old colt and top choice for the Yugoslav Derby.

He lost the 'Trial Stakes' (equivalent of 2,000 Guineas) to a Yugoslav-bred stablemate, Torina, but fulfilled promises with easy victories in the Yugoslav Derby (2400 m) and Yugoslav St. Leger (2800 m). Year 2000 was another good year for him and he finished as Highweighted Older Horse in the Yugoslav Free Handicap. It is hard to measure him against European company because he didn't have chance to go abroad, but maybe he could compete in listed races. Although he won from 1000-2800 m, he looks best at 1800- 2000 m (9-10f).

(PEDIGREE GILGAMES) This good-looking individual belongs to a female family where one could go four generations back to find a group-winning individual. His dam, The Strid (IRE), by Persian Bold, was twice covered before by Batshoof and produced multiple winning filly Stride and non-winner Bridge. Second dam, Riverine (FR), by Riverman, winner of one race in France, produced six winners out of 10 runners, but no stakes horses.

It was the next dam Hurricane (FR) who accomplished something better at the track - she was fourth in the Prix Eclipse, Saint Cloud, and she was full to The Slave (FR) who won that same race. Fourth dam Nyonda, with 2x3 to Tourbillon, was, of course, a better broodmare (producing five black type winners) than a runner, although she managed to win one race.

Gilgames' sire BATSHOOF 1986 was transferred to Italy after short and unsuccessful few generations at tracks. All he could manage at stud was one G3 winner in his first crop (She Bat), and nothing special in the last few years. He belongs to a good female family, but more speed-oriented (he is the only really good 10f horse in it). His close relatives include General Monash (a little bit suprisingly, successful freshman sire in GB), King Of Kings, China Visit, etc.

Gilgames's broodmare sire is the deceased PERSIAN BOLD 1975, a stallion with a long career without spectacular achievements, but with a long row of very good runners. Highlights of his stud career were the winnings of Persian Heights (St James's Palace Stakes in 1988), Kooyonga, with four Group 1 successes (Irish 1,000 Guineas, Eclipse Stakes, etc.), and Bold Arrangement (an honorable second in the Kentucky Derby).

Persian Bold's sons at stud did not accomplish too much. Persian Heights died young after a weak start, Bold Arrangement and Pennine Walk were less than average and Anshan is now switched to covering National Hunt mares (even though he produced the good Dark Moondancer).

Persian Bold's results as a broodmare sire are pretty much the same - good but not spectacular. The best horses out of his daughters are Lake Coniston (by Bluebird), champion sprinter in Europe, Artistique (by Linamix), G3 winner and Audacieuse (by Rainbow Quest).

Gilgames, as well as Lake Coniston and Artistique, is from the Northern Dancer line, which makes him 4x4 to genetic close equivalents Nearctic and Running Blue (second dam of Persian Bold) - sons of Fairway/Pharos on Hyperion mare on Tracery mare. (PEDIGREE NEARCTIC 1954) (PEDIGREE RUNNING BLUE 1957) This cross maybe balances a little, but otherwise a strong masculine influence in the pedigree - 11 strains of Pharos in 8 generation pedigree, with Nearco on top in all 4 quarters.

Of course, inbreeding 5x5 to Lalun, from the usual Bold Ruler/Never Bend cross could help in that. Gilgames stays in training this year too, and maybe with the better political situation in the region, we could be able to see him competing in the best Central European company.