Media Puzzle
Media Puzzle (May 7, 1997 – June 22, 2006), foaled in the United States was an Irish[1] horse best known for his win in the 2002 Melbourne Cup.
| Media Puzzle | |
|---|---|
| Sire | Theatrical |
| Grandsire | Nureyev |
| Dam | Market Slide |
| Damsire | Gulch |
| Sex | Gelding |
| Foaled | 1997 |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Chestnut |
| Breeder | Moyglare Stud |
| Owner | Dr. Michael W. Smurfit |
| Trainer | Dermot K. Weld |
| Record | 20: 6–1–6 |
| Earnings | US$2,592,706 (equivalent) |
| Major wins | |
| Ulster Derby (2000) Geelong Cup (2002) Melbourne Cup (2002) Saval Beg Stakes (2006) | |
| Awards | |
| Australian Champion Stayer (2003) | |
| Last updated on August 19, 2007 | |
Background edit
Media Puzzle was bred by Walter Haefner's Moyglare Stud Farm and owned by Dr. M. W. Smurfit. He was sired by Theatrical, the 1987 U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse, and out of the mare Market Slide by Gulch, the 1988 U.S. Champion Sprint Horse. Media Puzzle is the half brother of Refuse to Bend, a four-time group 1 winning entire by Sadler's Wells.
Racing career edit
At age three, Media Puzzle's best showings were third-place finishes in the Gallinule and St. Leger Stakes.
Plagued by tendon problems throughout his career, after a difficult 2001, Media Puzzle had his best year in 2002. Taken to Australia, his winning time of 2.25.90 in the 2400-metre Geelong Cup broke the course record for the race. He went on to win the 2002 Melbourne Cup[2] with Damien Oliver on board. Oliver's brother Jason had died one week before the Melbourne Cup win in 2002.[3]
Death edit
Media Puzzle was put down after shattering a leg at the Ascot Gold Cup.[4]
See also edit
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ Damien Oliver recalls miracle Herald Sun, retrieved 2006-09-07
- ^ 2002 Melbourne Cup result
- ^ Media Puzzle wins emotional Melbourne Cup 2006-06-15 at the Wayback Machine ABC news online, retrieved 2006-09-07
- ^ Media Puzzle is put down at Ascot 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine - The Border Mail, 2006-06-24
Bibliography edit
- O'Keefe, Eric (2008). The Cup: The remarkable story of the 2002 Melbourne Cup, and Damien Oliver's triumph on Media Puzzle. Docklands, Vic.: Slattery Media Group. ISBN 9780980442014.
External links edit
- Media Puzzle's pedigree and partial racing stats
- Photos by Quentin J. Lang of Media Puzzle and his 2002 Melbourne Cup win