Caerleon (27 March 1980 – 2 February 1998) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse who won Group One races in France and Great Britain. He was twice champion sire in Great Britain and Ireland. Bred by Seth Hancock at his famous Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, he was a son of the 1970 British Triple Crown winner Nijinsky. His dam was Foreseer, a daughter of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Round Table.

Caerleon
SireNijinsky
GrandsireNorthern Dancer
DamForeseer
DamsireRound Table
SexStallion
Foaled1980
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederClaiborne Farm
OwnerRobert Sangster
TrainerVincent O'Brien
Record8: 4-2-0
Major wins
Anglesey Stakes (1982)
Prix du Jockey Club (1983)
Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (1983)
Awards
Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland (1988, 1991)
Timeform rating: 132
Last updated on 28 April 2022

Caerleon was purchased at the Keeneland Yearling Sale by leading British owner, Robert Sangster. As a two-year-old, he made two starts at the Curragh Racecourse in Ireland for trainer Vincent O'Brien, earning wins in his debut and the Anglesey Stakes. At age three, he won the French Derby at Chantilly Racecourse in France and the Benson & Hedges Gold Cup at York Racecourse in England. Back at the Curragh, he ran second to Shareef Dancer in the Irish Derby.

Stud record

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Caerleon was retired to stud duty at Coolmore Stud for the 1984 season. In North America, he was known as Caerleon II. An immediate success, he became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 1988 and again in 1991. During his career at stud, Caerleon sired 101 stakes winners including:

Caerleon was also the damsire of:

Caerleon died at age eighteen on 2 February 1998, at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

References

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  • Caerleon's pedigree and partial racing stats
  • Bowen, Edward L. Legacies of the Turf : A Century of Great Thoroughbred Breeders (2003) Eclipse Press ISBN 978-1-58150-102-5