Idaho

Idaho (foaled 14 March 2013) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. In four years on the track he raced in seven countries, namely Ireland, France, England, Canada, the United States, Japan and the United Arab Emirates. In 2016 he finished third in The Derby and second in the Irish Derby before winning the Great Voltigeur Stakes. He was the odds-on favourite for the St Leger Stakes but stumbled and unseated his rider. In the following year he ran poorly in the Coronation Cup but then won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and finished third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The highlight of his final season was a win in the Ormonde Stakes. Background Idaho is a bay horse with a white blaze and two white socks bred in Ireland by the Hveger Syndicate. He was sired by Galileo, who won the Derby, Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. Galileo is now one of the world's leading stallions and has been champion sire of Great Britain and Ireland five times. His other progeny include Cape Blanco, Frankel, Golden Lilac, Nathaniel, New Approach, Rip Van Winkle and Ruler of the World. Highland Reel's dam Hveger was an Australian mare who finished third in the Australasian Oaks in 2005. As a daughter of the AJC Oaks winner Circles of Gold she was a full-sister to Elvstroem and a close relative of Starspangledbanner. Hveger had previously produced Idaho's full brother Highland Reel. As a yearling in October 2014 Idaho was offered for sale at Tattersalls and was bought for 750,000 guineas by Michael Magnier on behalf of his father, John Magnier's Coolmore Stud. Idaho entered training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. Like many Coolmore horses, the exact details of Idaho's ownership have changed from race to race: he has raced in the colours of Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and the partnership of Tabor, Magnier and Derrick Smith. Racing career