Rail Link (26 March 2003 – 20 May 2022[1]) was a thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in 2006.

Rail Link
SireDansili
GrandsireDanehill
DamDocklands
DamsireTheatrical
SexStallion
Foaled2003
CountryGreat Britain
ColourBay
BreederJuddmonte Farms
OwnerKhalid Abdullah
TrainerAndré Fabre
Record7: 5-1-0
Earnings£1,074,965
Major wins
Prix du Lys (2006)
Grand Prix de Paris (2006)
Prix Niel (2006)
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2006)

Background

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Rail Link was trained by André Fabre,[2] and was ridden by jockey Christophe Soumillon[3] or Stéphane Pasquier[4] for owner Khalid Abdullah.[5]

Racing career

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Unraced at two,[2] he made an inauspicious start to his three-year-old career, unseating his rider on his debut at Saint-Cloud,[5] and then finishing second in its next race at Chantilly Racecourse. From then on he was undefeated in five races, winning the Prix Gouvernant, Prix du Lys, Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel.[5]

On 1 October 2006 he won the 85th Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating Pride, Deep Impact, Shirocco, and Hurricane Run.[4]

During the Winter of 2006–7, he suffered a tendon problem and was taken out of training. He was expected to return in the Summer of 2007, but the injury was too serious and he was retired from racing.[6] He was sent to stud at Juddmonte Farms.

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Rail Link
Sire
Dansili[5]
Danehill[7] Danzig Northern Dancer
Pas de Nom
Razyana His Majesty
Spring Adieu
Hasili[7] Kahyasi Ile de Bourbon
Kadissya
Kerali High Line
Sookera
Dam
Docklands[8]
Theatrical[8] Nureyev Northern Dancer
Special
Tree of Knowledge Sassafrás
Sensibility
Dockage Riverman Never Bend
River Lady
Golden Alibi Empery
Charming Alibi

References

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  1. ^ Arc Winner Rail Link Passes At 19
  2. ^ a b McGrath, Chris (21 July 2006). "Rail Link on track to redeem unlucky sire". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  3. ^ Gina Rarick (2006-10-01). "Horse Racing: Rail Link chugs past favorites for victory". New York Times. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  4. ^ a b "Rail Link takes shock Arc victory". BBC News. 2006-10-01. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  5. ^ a b c d Marcus Armytage (2007-09-19). "Injured Arc winner Rail Link is retired". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  6. ^ Sue Montgomery (2007-07-19). "Racing: Arc winner Rail Link will retire to stud following tendon injury". The Independent. Retrieved 2011-09-04.[dead link]
  7. ^ a b Chris McGrath (2006-07-21). "Racing: Rail Link on track to redeem unlucky sire". The Independent. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
  8. ^ a b Tony Smurthwaite (2007-07-19). "2006 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link retired". Thoroughbred Times. Archived from the original on 2012-09-25. Retrieved 2011-09-04.
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