Mastercraftsman
Mastercraftsman (foaled February 19, 2006 in Ireland) is a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse. The four-time Group One-winning colt was trained by Aidan O'Brien and was ridden by Johnny Murtagh in all of his wins. He is out of mare Starlight Dreams and by top stallion Danehill Dancer.
| Mastercraftsman | |
|---|---|
 Racing silks of Derrick Smith | |
| Sire | Danehill Dancer |
| Grandsire | Danehill |
| Dam | Starlight Dreams |
| Damsire | Black Tie Affair |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | 2006 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Colour | Grey |
| Breeder | Lynch Bages Ltd. |
| Owner | Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor |
| Trainer | Aidan O'Brien |
| Record | 11:7-1-1 |
| Earnings | £976,946 |
| Major wins | |
| Railway Stakes (2008) Phoenix Stakes (2008) National Stakes (2008) Irish 2,000 Guineas (2009) St. James's Palace Stakes (2009) Diamond Stakes (2009) | |
| Awards | |
| European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt (2008) | |
Racing career
2008: two-year-old season
Mastercraftsman's career began in a six-furlong maiden at the Curragh in May 2008, where he won by half a length. He won two more races over 6 furlongs at the Curragh, the group 2 Railway stakes and group 1 Phoenix stakes. His second group 1 win came when stepped up in trip to 7 furlongs in the National Stakes. It was not until his first race outside Ireland that he was defeat. He was beaten into fourth place by the Freddy Head trained Naaqoos in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère at Maisons-Laffitte in France. Nevertheless, wins in three important conditions races earned Mastercraftsman 2008 European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt honors.[1]
2009: three-year-old season
Mastercraftsman's first race of 2009 was the English 2000 Guineas ridden by Pat Smullen. The race was won by Sea the Stars with Mastercraftsman finishing in 5th place and behind Aidan O'Brien's other runner Rip Van Winkle. Success came in the Irish version of the classic with Mastercraftsman going starting favourite and going on to win by 4 and a half lengths. A few weeks later he returned to England to win the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Mastercraftsman contested the International Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes finishing 2nd and 3rd place respectively behind winner Sea the Stars. He easily won the Group 3 Diamond Stakes as odds on favourite before a trip to the Breeders' Cup. He was favourite to win his last race the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile but could on manage 4th place behind the Kentucky Cup Classic winner Furthest Land.[2]
Stud career
Mastercaftsman was retired to stand at Coolmore Stud in 2010.[3]
Notable stock
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 2011 | Amazing Maria | f | Falmouth Stakes, Prix Rothschild |
| 2011 | Kingston Hill | c | Racing Post Trophy, St Leger Stakes |
| 2011 | Saint Emilion | g | New Zealand Stakes |
| 2011 | Thee Auld Floozie | f | Thorndon Mile |
| 2011 | The Grey Gatsby | c | French Derby, Irish Champion Stakes |
| 2012 | Off Limits | f | Matriarch Stakes |
| 2012 | Valley Girl | f | Herbie Dyke Stakes |
| 2013 | A Raving Beauty | f | Just a Game Stakes |
| 2014 | Danzdanzdance | f | Captain Cook Stakes, Zabeel Classic |
| 2015 | Alpha Centauri | f | Irish 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes, Falmouth Stakes, Prix Jacques Le Marois |
| 2016 | Technician | c | Prix Royal-Oak |