Hector Protector (USA)
March 4, 1988 – May 12, 2010
Woodman (USA) x Korveya (USA), by Riverman (USA)
Family 22-b
March 4, 1988 – May 12, 2010
Woodman (USA) x Korveya (USA), by Riverman (USA)
Family 22-b
A member of Woodman’s first crop, Hector Protector helped get his sire’s career off to a rocket start. Unbeaten in six starts as a juvenile in France, he was the country’s best 2-year-old and trained on to win the classic Poule d’Essai des Poulains (FR-G1) at 3. Fourth in the Derby Stakes at Epsom Downs, where he appeared not to stay out the 12-furlong trip, he later regrouped to be a Group 1 winner again in France later in the year. Exported to Japan for stallion duty as a 4-year-old, he was a marked disappointment as a sire.
Race record
12 starts, 9 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$1,019,419 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1990:
1991:
Honors
French champion 2-year-old male (1990)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the 1990 European Free Handicap for 2-year-olds of 1990, 3 pounds above second-rated Mujtahid.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 1991 European Free Handicap for 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 7 pounds below highweighted Selkirk.
As an individual
A handsome, muscular, well-balanced chestnut horse, Hector Protector could be faulted for a bit too much angulation in his front pasterns; he also toed out on both forefeet.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Hector Protector sired 572 winners (49.9%) and 23 stakes winners (2.0%) from 1147 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
Notable progeny
Royal Purler (AUS), Shiva (JPN)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Hector Protector was bred by Stavros Niarcho's Flaxman Holdings and was raced by Niarchos after becoming a US$35,000 buyback through the 1989 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by François Boutin and was regularly ridden by Freddy Head. He was sold to Zenya Yoshida following his racing career and entered stud at Shadai Stud, Japan, in 1992. He shuttled to Arrowfield Stud in Australia and also served the 1998 season under lease to the National Stud in Newmarket, England. He died in Japan in May 2010.
Pedigree notes
Hector Protector is inbred 5x5x4 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is a full brother to 1996 European champion 3-year-old filly Bosra Sham, dam of 2008 Premier’s Stakes (CAN-G3) winner Rosberg (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of Grade 3 winner Dream It Is, and a half brother to 1992 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Shanghai (by Procida). He is also a half brother to stakes-placed Maria Isabella (by Kris), dam of 2007 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Utrecht (by Rock of Gibraltar); to Yemanja (by Alleged), whose grandson Kremlin Captain was the 2014/15 Horse of the Year in Mauritius; and to Gioconda (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Ciro (by Woodman) and second dam of multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Trailblazer. In addition, Hector Protector is a half brother to Tapatina (by Seeking the Gold), dam of 2009 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Internallyflawless (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of restricted stakes winner Internal Bourbon, by Not Bourbon) and listed stakes winner Billy’s Star (by Perfect Soul). Finally, Hector Protector is a half brother to Reflective (by Seeking the Gold), dam of English listed stakes winner Biographer (by Montjeu), and to Truant (by Gone West), dam of Japanese listed stakes winner Dream Kirari (by Giant’s Causeway).
Hector Protector and his siblings were produced from 1985 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Korveya, who sold for a record-tying US$7 million for a broodmare sold in foal at the 1998 Keeneland November mixed sale. A daughter of Riverman, Korveya is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin. In addition, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute, Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra. Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Books and media
Footage of Hector Protector’s win in the 1990 Grand Criterium can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6juFaf9pQM.
Fun facts
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Race record
12 starts, 9 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$1,019,419 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1990:
- Won Prix Morny Agence Francaise (FR, 1200mT, Deauville)
- Won, Prix de la Salamandre (FR-G1, 1400mT, Longchamp)
- Won CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de Cabourg (FR-G3, 1200mT, Deauville)
- Won Prix La Fleche (FR-L, 1200mT, Evry)
1991:
- Won Dubai Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix du Haras de Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (FR-G1, 1600mT, Deauville)
- Won Prix de Fontainebleau (FR-G3, 1600mT, Longchamp)
Honors
French champion 2-year-old male (1990)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the 1990 European Free Handicap for 2-year-olds of 1990, 3 pounds above second-rated Mujtahid.
Rated at 121 pounds on the 1991 European Free Handicap for 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 7 pounds below highweighted Selkirk.
As an individual
A handsome, muscular, well-balanced chestnut horse, Hector Protector could be faulted for a bit too much angulation in his front pasterns; he also toed out on both forefeet.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Hector Protector sired 572 winners (49.9%) and 23 stakes winners (2.0%) from 1147 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 7th on the Japanese general sire list in 1999; 8th in 1997; 9th in 1998.
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
- 7th on the Japanese general sire list; 9th in 1998.
- 9th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2008.
Notable progeny
Royal Purler (AUS), Shiva (JPN)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Hector Protector was bred by Stavros Niarcho's Flaxman Holdings and was raced by Niarchos after becoming a US$35,000 buyback through the 1989 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by François Boutin and was regularly ridden by Freddy Head. He was sold to Zenya Yoshida following his racing career and entered stud at Shadai Stud, Japan, in 1992. He shuttled to Arrowfield Stud in Australia and also served the 1998 season under lease to the National Stud in Newmarket, England. He died in Japan in May 2010.
Pedigree notes
Hector Protector is inbred 5x5x4 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is a full brother to 1996 European champion 3-year-old filly Bosra Sham, dam of 2008 Premier’s Stakes (CAN-G3) winner Rosberg (by A.P. Indy) and third dam of Grade 3 winner Dream It Is, and a half brother to 1992 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Shanghai (by Procida). He is also a half brother to stakes-placed Maria Isabella (by Kris), dam of 2007 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Utrecht (by Rock of Gibraltar); to Yemanja (by Alleged), whose grandson Kremlin Captain was the 2014/15 Horse of the Year in Mauritius; and to Gioconda (by Nijinsky II), dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Ciro (by Woodman) and second dam of multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Trailblazer. In addition, Hector Protector is a half brother to Tapatina (by Seeking the Gold), dam of 2009 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Internallyflawless (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of restricted stakes winner Internal Bourbon, by Not Bourbon) and listed stakes winner Billy’s Star (by Perfect Soul). Finally, Hector Protector is a half brother to Reflective (by Seeking the Gold), dam of English listed stakes winner Biographer (by Montjeu), and to Truant (by Gone West), dam of Japanese listed stakes winner Dream Kirari (by Giant’s Causeway).
Hector Protector and his siblings were produced from 1985 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Korveya, who sold for a record-tying US$7 million for a broodmare sold in foal at the 1998 Keeneland November mixed sale. A daughter of Riverman, Korveya is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin. In addition, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute, Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra. Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Books and media
Footage of Hector Protector’s win in the 1990 Grand Criterium can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6juFaf9pQM.
Fun facts
- Hector Protector’s name came from a nursery rhyme tracing back to the early 1700s in England, possibly composed during the reign of Queen Anne. The origin of “Hector Protector, dressed all in green” is unknown but may have some reference to the complicated politics of the time.
Last updated: April 10, 2026