Alleged (horse)

Alleged (4 May 1974 – 2000) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes in 1977 and 1978. He was only beaten once in his career, when he was 2nd in the 1977 St Leger after starting the 4/7 favourite.

Background

Alleged was a bay horse bred by June McKnight. He was sold twice as a young horse, being sold for $34,000 as a yearling and $175,000 as a two-year-old.^[1] On the second occasion he was bought by Robert Sangster and his associates and sent to be trained in Europe. According to Sangster, the original intention was to race Alleged in California, but it was felt that the colt's forelegs would not stand up to the stresses of American racing.^[2] Alleged was trained at Ballydoyle, in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien.

Racing career

Alleged did not appear in a racecourse until November 1976, when he won a maiden race over seven furlongs at the Curragh.

As a three-year-old he won the Ballydoyle Stakes at Leopardstown Racecourse in April and then created a 33/1 upset by winning the Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh, beating his stable companion Valinsky who started favourite. Alleged then won the Gallinule Stakes and was then rested until August when he won the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Alleged started favourite for the St. Leger Stakes, but finished second to Dunfermline. In the 1977 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Alleged led for most of the way and won by one and a half lengths from Balmerino.

At four, Alleged was unbeaten in three races. He won the Royal Whip Stakes again, but then missed the summer as it was felt that he would be unsuited by the firm ground. He returned in autumn to win the Prix du Prince d'Orange. He then won his second Arc, winning by two lengths from the fillies Trillion and Dancing Maid.

Assessment

In the inaugural International Classification, a collaboration between the official handicappers of Britain, France and Ireland, Alleged was rated the best European horse of 1977 with a rating of 138. He was again rated the best European horse in 1978 with a rating of 140.

Alleged was given a Timeform rating of 137 in 1977 and 138 in 1978. In both seasons, he was the organisation's highest rated horse.

Stud record

Retired after the 1978 racing season, he stood at stud at Walmac International near Lexington, Kentucky and sired four champions. Among them was Miss Alleged who won several graded stakes races in France and the United States including the 1991 Breeders' Cup Turf and the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes. She was voted the 1991 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Female Turf Horse. Other winners included Midway Lady, Shantou, Legal Case and Law Society. Alleged is the grandsire of 2005 Grand National winner, Hedgehunter and damsire of 2010 winner, Don't Push It.

Alleged died in 2000 from the infirmities of old age and is buried at Walmac International.

Pedigree

See also

• List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses

References