Giant's Causeway (USA)
February 14, 1997 – April 16, 2018
Storm Cat (USA) x Mariah's Storm (USA), by Rahy (USA)
Family 11
February 14, 1997 – April 16, 2018
Storm Cat (USA) x Mariah's Storm (USA), by Rahy (USA)
Family 11
The “Iron Horse” of European racing in 2000, Giant's Causeway ran in eight consecutive English or Irish Group 1 races that year, winning five and running second in the other three. He then came across the Atlantic to turn in a brilliant performance in the Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1), losing by only a neck to 2000 American Horse of the Year Tiznow in a thrilling stretch duel. Such performances combined with impeccable bloodlines and conformation naturally led to great expectations at stud, which Giant's Causeway fulfilled by leading the American general sire list three times.
Race record
13 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds, US$3,077,960 (includes converted earnings from England, France and Ireland)
1999:
2000:
Honors
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 119 pounds as a 2-year-old.
Earned a Timeform rating of 132 pounds as a 3-year-old, 2 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old, Sinndar.
Rated at 127 pounds in the Intermediate category on the International Classification, tied with Fusaichi Pegasus and Tiznow as the highweights in that category and 5 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old, Sinndar (who earned his rating in the Long category).
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Giant's Causeway stood 16.1 hands. He was an attractive, muscular horse with a strong body and an excellent hind leg. He was a thoroughly game and genuine competitor on the race course although he tended to sweat up before his races. As a stallion, he was dominant and liked having things his way but was not mean or vicious. According to Ashford Stud stallion manager Richard Barry, he hated getting shots.
As a stallion
Most of Giant's Causeway's best runners have competed on turf, but he has gotten some good dirt runners as well. His progeny tend to be later-maturing and more distance-loving than those by other sons of Storm Cat. As of May 29, 2023, The Jockey Club's records credit Giant's Causeway with 195 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per Arion (www.arion.co.nz):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per the Stud Book de Chile (www.studbookdechile.cl):
Per Thoroughbred Times:
Notable progeny
Aquaphobia (USA), Aragorn (IRE), Arcadius (USA), Blueridge Mountain (ARG), Book Review (USA), Brody's Cause (USA), Carpe Diem (USA), Carriage Trail (USA), Carrick (USA), Classic Causeway (USA), Creative Cause (USA), Dalkala (USA), Danceforthecause (CAN), Eishin Apollon (USA), Eskendereya (USA), First Samurai (USA), Footstepsinthesand (GB), Frost Giant (USA), Ghanaati (USA), Giant Love (USA), Giant Oak (USA), Giant's Steps (ARG), Gustavian (USA), Heatseeker (IRE), Imagining (USA), Intense Focus (USA), Internallyflawless (USA), Juggling Act (AUS), Juste Momente (AUS), Kung Fu Mambo (ARG), Maids Causeway (IRE), My Typhoon (IRE), North Stream (USA), Penelopa (GB), Record Holder (USA), Red Giant (USA), Rite of Passage (GB), Shamardal (USA), Swift Temper (USA), Take Charge Brandi (USA), Velikiy Zevs (USA), Vexatious (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Alaskan Queen (CHI), An Serafini (VEN), Eden's Moon (USA), Evening Jewel (USA), Gun Runner (USA), Head Office (BRZ), Jamon Serrano (CHI), Lemon Pop (USA), Mucho Gusto (USA), Pinehurst (USA), Say the Word (CAN), Super Nao (ARG), Tom's d'Etat (USA), Top Queen (CHI), Verrazano (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Giant's Causeway was bred by Orpendale and Michael Tabor. He raced for Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland, before moving to Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He shuttled to Australia and Argentina as well. Giant's Causeway died at Ashford in April 2018 after a brief illness.
Pedigree notes
Giant's Causeway is inbred 4x5 to Bold Ruler and Hail to Reason and 5x5 to Nasrullah. He is a full brother to English Group 2 winner You'resothrilling, dam of 2014 Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Marvellous (dam of listed stakes winner Fort Myers, by War Front), 2015 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) and Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Gleneagles, 2021 Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, FR-G1) winner Joan of Arc, 2017 Moyglare Stud Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Happily, Australian Group 2 winner Taj Mahal, and Irish Group 3 winner Coolmore, all by Galileo. He is also a full brother to Group 2-placed Tumblebrutus, a three-time champion sire in Chile; to Group 2-placed Freud, a successful regional sire in New York; and to Pearling, dam of multiple Group 1 winner Decorated Knight (by Galileo). In addition, Giant's Causeway is a half brother to Love Me Only (by Sadler's Wells), dam of English Group 2 winner Storm the Stars (by Sea the Stars). Finally, Giant's Causeway is a half brother to Fabulous (by Galileo), dam of 2022 Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1) winner Above the Curve (by American Pharoah).
Giant's Causeway and his siblings are out of multiple Grade 2 winner Mariah's Storm, a half sister to French Group 2 winner Panoramic (by Rainbow Quest) and Japanese stakes winner Air Zion (by Groom Dancer). Mariah's Storm is also a half sister to Sun Blush (by Ogygian), dam of restricted stakes winner Relinquish (by Rahy) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Guys Reward, and to Tinaca (by Manila), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Quest Star (by Broad Brush).
Mariah's Storm was produced from 1982 Little Silver Handicap (USA-G3) winner Immense (by Roberto), a half sister to 1975 American champion 2-year-old filly Dearly Precious (by Dr. Fager). Dearly Precious, in turn, is the dam of Grade 3 winner Mr. Modesty and stakes winner Dearly Too (both by Nijinsky II). The next dam in the tail-female line, multiple stakes winner Imsodear (by Chieftain), is out of the Intent mare Ironically, making her a half sister to Isatopper (by Rasper II), dam of Grade 3 winner I'm on Top (by Imasmartee) and second dam of 1982 Oaks d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Ilenia.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Portrait taken at Ashford Stud in 2007 by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 30, 2023
Race record
13 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds, US$3,077,960 (includes converted earnings from England, France and Ireland)
1999:
- Won Prix de la Salamandre (FR-G1, 1400mT, Longchamp)
- Won King of Kings EBF Futurity Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, The Curragh)
2000:
- Won St. James's Palace Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- Won Coral-Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1, 10FT, Sandown)
- Won Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Goodwood)
- Won Juddmonte International Stakes (ENG-G1, about 10.5FT, York)
- Won Irish Champion Stakes (IRE-G1, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Gladness Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, The Curragh)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1, 8FT, The Curragh)
- 2nd Sagitta Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket)
Honors
- Cartier Award, European Horse of the Year (2000)
- Cartier Award, European champion 3-year-old male (2000)
- English highweight 3-year-old male, 9.5-11F (2000)
- Irish highweight 3-year-old male, 7-9F and 9.5-10.5F (2000)
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 119 pounds as a 2-year-old.
Earned a Timeform rating of 132 pounds as a 3-year-old, 2 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old, Sinndar.
Rated at 127 pounds in the Intermediate category on the International Classification, tied with Fusaichi Pegasus and Tiznow as the highweights in that category and 5 pounds below the top-rated 3-year-old, Sinndar (who earned his rating in the Long category).
As an individual
A chestnut horse, Giant's Causeway stood 16.1 hands. He was an attractive, muscular horse with a strong body and an excellent hind leg. He was a thoroughly game and genuine competitor on the race course although he tended to sweat up before his races. As a stallion, he was dominant and liked having things his way but was not mean or vicious. According to Ashford Stud stallion manager Richard Barry, he hated getting shots.
As a stallion
Most of Giant's Causeway's best runners have competed on turf, but he has gotten some good dirt runners as well. His progeny tend to be later-maturing and more distance-loving than those by other sons of Storm Cat. As of May 29, 2023, The Jockey Club's records credit Giant's Causeway with 195 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per Arion (www.arion.co.nz):
- 5th on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2019/2020.
- 2nd on the North American general sire list in 2014; 4th in 2012; 5th in 2010, 2011, and 2019; 7th in 2013 and 2015; 8th in 2016.
- 2nd on the North American broodmare sire list in 2020 and 2021; 3rd in 2018; 4th in 2017; 5th in 2019; 6th in 2022; 7th in 2016.
- Led the North American juvenile sire list in 2014.
- 8th on the South African broodmare sire list in 2019/2020.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American general sire list in 2009, 2010, and 2012; 2nd in 2008 and 2014; 3rd in 2006 and 2013; 4th in 2007, 2011, and 2019; 7th in 2005 and 2015; 10th in 2016.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 2018; 2nd in 2021; 3rd in 2019 and 2022; 4th in 2020; 5th in 2017; 9th in 2016.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 2005 and 2014.
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
- 10th on the Chilean broodmare sire list in 2020.
- 4th on the Peruvian broodmare sire list in 2021.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 7th on the American general sire list in 2005.
- 9th on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 2005.
- 5th on the French general sire list in 2005.
Per the Stud Book de Chile (www.studbookdechile.cl):
- 10th on the Chilean broodmare sire list in 2020.
Per Thoroughbred Times:
- Led the American general sire list in 2009 and 2012; 2nd in 2010.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 2005.
Notable progeny
Aquaphobia (USA), Aragorn (IRE), Arcadius (USA), Blueridge Mountain (ARG), Book Review (USA), Brody's Cause (USA), Carpe Diem (USA), Carriage Trail (USA), Carrick (USA), Classic Causeway (USA), Creative Cause (USA), Dalkala (USA), Danceforthecause (CAN), Eishin Apollon (USA), Eskendereya (USA), First Samurai (USA), Footstepsinthesand (GB), Frost Giant (USA), Ghanaati (USA), Giant Love (USA), Giant Oak (USA), Giant's Steps (ARG), Gustavian (USA), Heatseeker (IRE), Imagining (USA), Intense Focus (USA), Internallyflawless (USA), Juggling Act (AUS), Juste Momente (AUS), Kung Fu Mambo (ARG), Maids Causeway (IRE), My Typhoon (IRE), North Stream (USA), Penelopa (GB), Record Holder (USA), Red Giant (USA), Rite of Passage (GB), Shamardal (USA), Swift Temper (USA), Take Charge Brandi (USA), Velikiy Zevs (USA), Vexatious (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Alaskan Queen (CHI), An Serafini (VEN), Eden's Moon (USA), Evening Jewel (USA), Gun Runner (USA), Head Office (BRZ), Jamon Serrano (CHI), Lemon Pop (USA), Mucho Gusto (USA), Pinehurst (USA), Say the Word (CAN), Super Nao (ARG), Tom's d'Etat (USA), Top Queen (CHI), Verrazano (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Giant's Causeway was bred by Orpendale and Michael Tabor. He raced for Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor. He was trained by Aidan O'Brien. He entered stud at Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland, before moving to Ashford Stud in Kentucky. He shuttled to Australia and Argentina as well. Giant's Causeway died at Ashford in April 2018 after a brief illness.
Pedigree notes
Giant's Causeway is inbred 4x5 to Bold Ruler and Hail to Reason and 5x5 to Nasrullah. He is a full brother to English Group 2 winner You'resothrilling, dam of 2014 Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Marvellous (dam of listed stakes winner Fort Myers, by War Front), 2015 Two Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) and Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Gleneagles, 2021 Prix de Diane Longines (French Oaks, FR-G1) winner Joan of Arc, 2017 Moyglare Stud Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Happily, Australian Group 2 winner Taj Mahal, and Irish Group 3 winner Coolmore, all by Galileo. He is also a full brother to Group 2-placed Tumblebrutus, a three-time champion sire in Chile; to Group 2-placed Freud, a successful regional sire in New York; and to Pearling, dam of multiple Group 1 winner Decorated Knight (by Galileo). In addition, Giant's Causeway is a half brother to Love Me Only (by Sadler's Wells), dam of English Group 2 winner Storm the Stars (by Sea the Stars). Finally, Giant's Causeway is a half brother to Fabulous (by Galileo), dam of 2022 Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1) winner Above the Curve (by American Pharoah).
Giant's Causeway and his siblings are out of multiple Grade 2 winner Mariah's Storm, a half sister to French Group 2 winner Panoramic (by Rainbow Quest) and Japanese stakes winner Air Zion (by Groom Dancer). Mariah's Storm is also a half sister to Sun Blush (by Ogygian), dam of restricted stakes winner Relinquish (by Rahy) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Guys Reward, and to Tinaca (by Manila), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Quest Star (by Broad Brush).
Mariah's Storm was produced from 1982 Little Silver Handicap (USA-G3) winner Immense (by Roberto), a half sister to 1975 American champion 2-year-old filly Dearly Precious (by Dr. Fager). Dearly Precious, in turn, is the dam of Grade 3 winner Mr. Modesty and stakes winner Dearly Too (both by Nijinsky II). The next dam in the tail-female line, multiple stakes winner Imsodear (by Chieftain), is out of the Intent mare Ironically, making her a half sister to Isatopper (by Rasper II), dam of Grade 3 winner I'm on Top (by Imasmartee) and second dam of 1982 Oaks d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Ilenia.
Fun facts
- Giant's Causeway is named after the Giant's Causeway, a natural formation in County Antrim, Ireland. It consists of some 40,000 interlocking basalt columns and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Irish legend, the Causeway was built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cuimhaill so that he could meet the Scottish giant Benandonner in combat.
- The Giant's Causeway Stakes is a listed race at Keeneland for fillies and mares aged 4 and up. As of 2022, it is carded at 5.5 furlongs on turf.
- Giant's Causeway is the first Coolmore stallion based at Ashford Stud to be honored by a statue, although other stallions have had statues erected in their honor at Coolmore's Irish and Australian facilities. The life-sized bronze is the work of English artist Charlie Langford and was unveiled at Ashford in April 2016.
Photo credit
Portrait taken at Ashford Stud in 2007 by Jessica Morgan. Used by permission.
Last updated: September 30, 2023