Rainbow Quest (USA)
May 15, 1981 – July 7, 2007
Blushing Groom (FR) x I Will Follow (USA), by Herbager (FR)
Family 14-f
May 15, 1981 – July 7, 2007
Blushing Groom (FR) x I Will Follow (USA), by Herbager (FR)
Family 14-f
Not quite so brilliant and precocious as his sire Blushing Groom, Rainbow Quest was still a good 2-year-old but stayed better than Blushing Groom had and matured into a top horse in a vintage year. He was most effective at the European classic distance of a mile and a half, reflecting the influence of his broodmare sire, Herbager. He proved to be Blushing Groom’s best son at stud and was particularly effective as a broodmare sire.
Race record
14 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$614,514 (converted from English, French, and Irish earnings)
1983:
1984:
1985:
Honors
Assessments
Rated as the second best 2-year-old colt in Europe on the International Classification for 1983, 1 pound below highweighted El Gran Senor.
Earned Timeform ratings of 130 pounds at age 2, 131 pounds at age 3, and 134 pounds at age 4.
As an individual
A handsome, well-balanced but somewhat light-bodied bay horse standing 16 hands, Rainbow Quest has less than ideal forelegs but was athletic and able to use himself well. He did not handle heavy ground well. He was highly strung and sometimes squandered his energies in pre-race antics but was a game and honest competitor when on the course. Banstead Manor Stud’s stud manager, Simon Mockridge, described him as alert and highly intelligent with “a wicked sense of humor,” but added that he was not “nasty.” Rainbow Quest was strongly attached to his longtime stud groom, Johnny Gilbert.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Rainbow Quest sired 557 winners (50.7%) and 107 stakes winners (9.7%) from 1099 named foals of racing age. He tended to pass on upright pasterns and offset knees, along with his own rather light-framed build. He is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz/Home.aspx):
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Armiger (GB), Bright Generation (IRE), Colour Vision (FR), Croco Rouge (IRE), Crowded House (GB), Edabiya (IRE), Fashion Statement (GB), Fiji (GB), Knight’s Baroness (GB), Millenary (GB), Nedawi (GB), Quest for Fame (GB), Rainbow Dancer (FR), Raintrap (GB), Rainwatch (GB), Sakura Laurel (JPN), Saumarez (GB), Sought Out (IRE), Special Quest (FR), Spectrum (IRE), Sunshack (GB), Urgent Request (IRE)
Notable progeny of daughters
Auroras Encore (IRE), Cosmo Sunbeam (JPN), Elusive Wave (IRE), Footstepsinthesand (GB), Have a Champ (ARG), Kris Kin (USA), Look Here (GB), Meteor Storm (GB), North Light (IRE), Polish Summer (GB), Powerscourt (GB), Rakti (GB), Rebelline (IRE), Tradizione (CHI)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Rainbow Quest was bred by Alan Clore. A US$950,000 purchase from the 1982 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale, he was owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms and was trained by Jeremy Tree. He entered stud at Juddmonte Farm in Berkshire, England, in 1986, moving to Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, England, in 1988. He was euthanized due to complications of colic surgery in July 2007.
Pedigree notes
Rainbow Quest is inbred 4x5 to to unbeaten champion and two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. He is a full brother to Red Comes Up, second dam of 2015 Scandinavian imported 2-year-old male Ruler of Course and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Redstone Dancer. He is also a half brother to I Will Lead (by Seattle Slew), second dam of 2009 Czech champion 3-year-old filly Rabbit Zamindar, who in turn is the dam of 2014 Czech champion 2-year-old filly Zamira.
I Will Follow, the dam of Rainbow Quest, won the 1978 Prix de Minerve (FR-G3). She is a half sister to 1982 Fred Darling Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Slightly Dangerous (by Roberto), the 1997 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. The dam of five stakes winners including multiple English and French champion Warning (by Known Fact), 1993 Ever Ready Derby (ENG-G1) and Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Commander in Chief (by Dancing Brave), 1997 Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Yashmak (by Danzig), and three-time Chilean champion sire Dushyantor (by Sadler’s Wells), Slightly Dangerous is the second dam of 2014 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere-Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Full Mast and Group 3 winners Memorise and Multiplex and the third dam of English Group 2 winner Await the Dawn and Grade/Group 3 winners Call Me Midnight and Index Linked.
Returning to I Will Follow, she is also a half sister to Idyllic (by Foolish Pleasure), dam of 1988 Three Chimneys Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Scenic (by Sadler’s Wells), 1995 Prix Daphnis (FR-G3) winner Silent Warrior (by Nashwan), and Group 1-placed Irish listed stakes winner Cupid (by Generous); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Without Connexion; and third dam of 2016 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Yellow Agate, French Group 2 winner Testosterone, New Zealand Group 2 winner Uareastar, and Italian Group 3 winner Shot Bless. In addition, I Will Follow is a half sister to Christabelle (by Northern Dancer), third dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Green Destiny and Japanese Group 3 winner Remake, and to Hooriah (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2000 Czech champion steeplechaser Maskul (by Lyphard). Finally, I Will Follow is a half sister to Sequel (by Law Society), dam of multiple Irish listed stakes winner Family Tradition (by Sadler’s Wells).
Where You Lead, the dam of I Will Follow and her siblings, won the 1973 Musidora Stakes (ENG-G3) and was runner-up in that year’s Oaks Stakes. Sired by 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native and produced from two-time English champion filly Noblesse (by 1958 English/Irish champion sire Mossborough), Where You Lead is a half sister to 1972 Nell Gwyn Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Carrezza (by Ribot) and to stakes-placed Fughetta (by Ribot), second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Crown Exceed.
Books and media
Last updated: October 6, 2023
Race record
14 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$614,514 (converted from English, French, and Irish earnings)
1983:
- 2nd William Hill Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
1984:
- Won Great Voltigeur Stakes (ENG-G2, 11F+188yT, York)
- 2nd Craven Stakes (ENG-G3, 8FT, Newmarket)
- 2nd Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1, 12FT, The Curragh)
- 3rd Prix du Jockey Club (FR-G1, 2400mT, Chantilly)
1985:
- Won Coronation Cup (ENG-G1, 12F+10yT, Epsom)
- Won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp; by disqualification of Sagace)
- Won Clive Graham Stakes (ENG-L, 9F+197yT, Goodwood)
- 2nd Coral Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1, (9F+209yT, Sandown)
- 3rd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, 11F+211yT, Ascot)
Honors
- English champion older male (1985)
- French champion older male (1985)
Assessments
Rated as the second best 2-year-old colt in Europe on the International Classification for 1983, 1 pound below highweighted El Gran Senor.
Earned Timeform ratings of 130 pounds at age 2, 131 pounds at age 3, and 134 pounds at age 4.
As an individual
A handsome, well-balanced but somewhat light-bodied bay horse standing 16 hands, Rainbow Quest has less than ideal forelegs but was athletic and able to use himself well. He did not handle heavy ground well. He was highly strung and sometimes squandered his energies in pre-race antics but was a game and honest competitor when on the course. Banstead Manor Stud’s stud manager, Simon Mockridge, described him as alert and highly intelligent with “a wicked sense of humor,” but added that he was not “nasty.” Rainbow Quest was strongly attached to his longtime stud groom, Johnny Gilbert.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Rainbow Quest sired 557 winners (50.7%) and 107 stakes winners (9.7%) from 1099 named foals of racing age. He tended to pass on upright pasterns and offset knees, along with his own rather light-framed build. He is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz/Home.aspx):
- 3rd on the English broodmare sire list in 2009; 4th in 2013 and 2014; 5th in 2008; 6th in 2012; 9th in 2011 and 2016.
- 4th on the French broodmare sire list in 2009; 9th in 2008 and 2013; 10th in 2010.
- 7th on the Irish broodmare sire list in 2012; 8th in 2013; 9th in 2010 and 2016; 10th in 2014.
- Led the Italian broodmare sire list in 2019 and 2020.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 5th on the American broodmare sire list in 2004; 10th in 2009
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 6th on the American broodmare sire list in 2004.
- 5th on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1990, 1993, 1995, and 1998; 7th in 2000; 9th in 2001.
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 2003; 6th in 2005.
- 2nd on the French general sire list in 1990; 6th in 1998; 8th in 1995.
- 4th on the French broodmare sire list in 2002; 9th in 2004 and 2005
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 2003 and 2004.
Notable progeny
Armiger (GB), Bright Generation (IRE), Colour Vision (FR), Croco Rouge (IRE), Crowded House (GB), Edabiya (IRE), Fashion Statement (GB), Fiji (GB), Knight’s Baroness (GB), Millenary (GB), Nedawi (GB), Quest for Fame (GB), Rainbow Dancer (FR), Raintrap (GB), Rainwatch (GB), Sakura Laurel (JPN), Saumarez (GB), Sought Out (IRE), Special Quest (FR), Spectrum (IRE), Sunshack (GB), Urgent Request (IRE)
Notable progeny of daughters
Auroras Encore (IRE), Cosmo Sunbeam (JPN), Elusive Wave (IRE), Footstepsinthesand (GB), Have a Champ (ARG), Kris Kin (USA), Look Here (GB), Meteor Storm (GB), North Light (IRE), Polish Summer (GB), Powerscourt (GB), Rakti (GB), Rebelline (IRE), Tradizione (CHI)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Rainbow Quest was bred by Alan Clore. A US$950,000 purchase from the 1982 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale, he was owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms and was trained by Jeremy Tree. He entered stud at Juddmonte Farm in Berkshire, England, in 1986, moving to Banstead Manor Stud near Newmarket, England, in 1988. He was euthanized due to complications of colic surgery in July 2007.
Pedigree notes
Rainbow Quest is inbred 4x5 to to unbeaten champion and two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. He is a full brother to Red Comes Up, second dam of 2015 Scandinavian imported 2-year-old male Ruler of Course and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Redstone Dancer. He is also a half brother to I Will Lead (by Seattle Slew), second dam of 2009 Czech champion 3-year-old filly Rabbit Zamindar, who in turn is the dam of 2014 Czech champion 2-year-old filly Zamira.
I Will Follow, the dam of Rainbow Quest, won the 1978 Prix de Minerve (FR-G3). She is a half sister to 1982 Fred Darling Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Slightly Dangerous (by Roberto), the 1997 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. The dam of five stakes winners including multiple English and French champion Warning (by Known Fact), 1993 Ever Ready Derby (ENG-G1) and Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Commander in Chief (by Dancing Brave), 1997 Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Yashmak (by Danzig), and three-time Chilean champion sire Dushyantor (by Sadler’s Wells), Slightly Dangerous is the second dam of 2014 Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere-Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Full Mast and Group 3 winners Memorise and Multiplex and the third dam of English Group 2 winner Await the Dawn and Grade/Group 3 winners Call Me Midnight and Index Linked.
Returning to I Will Follow, she is also a half sister to Idyllic (by Foolish Pleasure), dam of 1988 Three Chimneys Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Scenic (by Sadler’s Wells), 1995 Prix Daphnis (FR-G3) winner Silent Warrior (by Nashwan), and Group 1-placed Irish listed stakes winner Cupid (by Generous); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Without Connexion; and third dam of 2016 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Yellow Agate, French Group 2 winner Testosterone, New Zealand Group 2 winner Uareastar, and Italian Group 3 winner Shot Bless. In addition, I Will Follow is a half sister to Christabelle (by Northern Dancer), third dam of multiple English Group 3 winner Green Destiny and Japanese Group 3 winner Remake, and to Hooriah (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2000 Czech champion steeplechaser Maskul (by Lyphard). Finally, I Will Follow is a half sister to Sequel (by Law Society), dam of multiple Irish listed stakes winner Family Tradition (by Sadler’s Wells).
Where You Lead, the dam of I Will Follow and her siblings, won the 1973 Musidora Stakes (ENG-G3) and was runner-up in that year’s Oaks Stakes. Sired by 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native and produced from two-time English champion filly Noblesse (by 1958 English/Irish champion sire Mossborough), Where You Lead is a half sister to 1972 Nell Gwyn Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Carrezza (by Ribot) and to stakes-placed Fughetta (by Ribot), second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Crown Exceed.
Books and media
- Rainbow Quest is one of 75 stallions profiled in Tony Morris’s Thoroughbred Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
- Rainbow Quest is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard, and Byron Rogers.
Last updated: October 6, 2023