Last Tycoon (IRE)
May 9, 1983 – May 27, 2006
Try My Best (USA) x Mill Princess (IRE), by Mill Reef (USA)
Family 8-c
May 9, 1983 – May 27, 2006
Try My Best (USA) x Mill Princess (IRE), by Mill Reef (USA)
Family 8-c
Best known as a pure sprinter in Europe, Last Tycoon pulled off a major surprise in the Breeders ‘ Cup Mile (USA-G1) by just lasting to beat Palace Music at 36-1 odds. As a stallion, he drew on the genetic diversity in his pedigree to become a versatile sire. He was at his best in Australia, where he was champion sire for the 1993/94 season, but had influence in several other countries.
Race record
13 starts, 8 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$689,543 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1985:
1986:
Honors
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 131 pounds as a 3-year-old.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1986, 1 pound below co-highweights Manila (the official divisional champion) and Dahar and tied with Theatrical and Damister.
As an individual
A lightly-built bay horse, Last Tycoon stood 16.1 hands. He had a rather downhill build. He was at his best over firm going.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, Last Tycoon sired 904 winners (54.2%) and 80 stakes winners (4.8%) from 1669 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Arrow Carry (JPN), Bigstone (IRE), Ezzoud (IRE), Knowledge (AUS), Lady Jakeo (AUS), Lady of Chad (IRE), Lost World (IRE), Magic of Money (AUS), Mahogany (AUS), Marju (IRE), O’Reilly (NZ), Poliuto (IRE), Super Sheila (AUS), Taipan (IRE), Tracy’s Element (AUS), Tycoon Lil (AUS), Tytola (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Hill of Grace (NZ), Keltos (FR), King Kamehameha (JPN), King’s Drama (IRE), Lachlan River (NZ), Last Drama (IRE), Suntagonal (AUS), The Deputy (IRE), The Mighty Lions (NZ), Vintage Tipple (IRE)
Connections
Last Tycoon was bred and owned by Richard C. Strauss’s Kilfrush Stud. He was trained by Robert Collet. He was ridden to his triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Mile by Yves St-Laurent. He was owned bu Coolmore as a stallion and entered stud in Ireland in 1986 at Coolmore Stud. At various times, he stood in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. He was pensioned in 2003. At that time, Coolmore gave him to Arrow Stud, and the stallion remained there as a pensioner until his death in May 2006.
Pedigree notes
Last Tycoon is inbred 4x5x4 to the unbeaten champion Nearco, a two-time leader of the English/Irish general sire list. He is also inbred 5x5 to the excellent producer Nogara, who swept Italy’s One Thousand Guineas and Two Thousand Guineas equivalents after proving herself the best Italian juvenile filly of 1930. He is a full brother to 1990 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner The Perfect Life, dam of 1998 Gordon Stakes (USA-G3) winner Rabah (by Nashwan) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Ice Queen. He is a half brother to 1988 German co-champion sprinter Astronef (by Be My Guest) and to listed stakes winners Flowerdrum and Side of Paradise (both by Sadler’s Wells). The last-named mare is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (by Pivotal) and, through her, the second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Tenebrism, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (USA-G1) winner Henri Matisse, and Irish Group 2 winner Statuette.
Returning to Last Tycoon, he is also a half brother to stakes-placed Save Me the Waltz (by Kings Lake), dam of 1999 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Valentine Waltz (by Be My Guest) and 2004 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sense of Style (by Thunder Gulch), second dam of Group 3 winners Britt’s Best and Steele Tango, and third dam of 2018 Singapore Horse of the Year Qatar Man, 2013 Czech champion sprinter and 2015 Slovakian champion female sprinter Waka Laura, Grade 2 winner Theodora B., and Italian Group 3 winner Bahja del Sol. In addition, he is a half brother to Zelda (by Caerleon), dam of 2001 Prix Robert Papin (FR-G2) winner Zipping (by Zafonic), 1997 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner Zelding (by Warning), and 2005 Prix du Petit Couvert (FR-G3) winner Nipping (by Night Shift); second dam of French Group 2 winner Beauty Is Truth; and third dam of 2019 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) and Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Hermosa, multiple Group 1 winner Hydrangea, 2016 Ranvet Stakes (AUS-G1) winner The United States, French Group 2 winner Glycon, and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Fire Lily. Finally, Last Tycoon is a half brother to Moon Flower (by Sadler’s Wells), the dam of 2004 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Fantastic Love (by Peintre Celebre), and to Tender Is Thenight (by Barathea), dam of 2006 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Tie Black (by Machiavellian) and French listed stakes winner Besotted (by Dutch Art) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Fancy Me.
Last Tycoon and his siblings are out of Mill Princess, a winning half sister to 1971 Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1) winner Irish Ball (by Baldric) and to French stakes winner Exbury Lad (by Exbury). Produced from 1965 Prix de Minerve winner Irish Lass II (by 1947 English champion 3-year-old male Sayajirao, and a full sister to 1960 Irish champion 3-year-old filly Lynchris), Mill Princess is also a half sister to Irish Bird (by Sea-Bird), dam of 1982 French Horse of the Year Bikala (by Kalamoun), 1982 French champion 3-year-old male Assert (by Be My Guest), and 1987 Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St. Leger (IRE-G1) winner Eurobird (by Ela-Mana-Mou) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Pounced.
Books and media
Footage of Last Tycoon’s win in the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Mile can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj9-2AjsaU0.
Fun facts
Last updated: February 4, 2025
Race record
13 starts, 8 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$689,543 (includes converted English and French earnings)
1985:
- Won Prix d'Arenberg (FR-G3, 5FT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Pharel (FR-L, 5FT, Maisons-Laffitte)
1986:
- Won Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1, 8FT, Santa Anita)
- Won King's Stand Stakes (ENG-G1, 5FT, Ascot)
- Won William Hill Sprint Championship (ENG-G1, 5FT, York)
- Won Prix de Saint-Georges (FR-G3, 5FT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix du Gros Chene (FR-G3, 5FT, Chantilly)
Honors
- English champion sprinter (1986)
- French champion sprinter (1986)
Assessments
Earned a Timeform rating of 131 pounds as a 3-year-old.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1986, 1 pound below co-highweights Manila (the official divisional champion) and Dahar and tied with Theatrical and Damister.
As an individual
A lightly-built bay horse, Last Tycoon stood 16.1 hands. He had a rather downhill build. He was at his best over firm going.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, Last Tycoon sired 904 winners (54.2%) and 80 stakes winners (4.8%) from 1669 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (https://www.arion.co.nz):
- 4th on the Australian broodmare sire list in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010; 7th in 2007/2008, 2011/2012, and 2013/2014; 8th in 2010/2011 and 2012/2013.
- 10th on the New Zealand broodmare sire list in 2007/2008
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the Australian general sire list in 1993/1994; 10th in 1997/1998.
- 3rd on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1993; 5th in 1994.
- 2nd on the Italian general sire list in 1997
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the Australian general sire list in 1993/1994
Notable progeny
Arrow Carry (JPN), Bigstone (IRE), Ezzoud (IRE), Knowledge (AUS), Lady Jakeo (AUS), Lady of Chad (IRE), Lost World (IRE), Magic of Money (AUS), Mahogany (AUS), Marju (IRE), O’Reilly (NZ), Poliuto (IRE), Super Sheila (AUS), Taipan (IRE), Tracy’s Element (AUS), Tycoon Lil (AUS), Tytola (AUS)
Notable progeny of daughters
Hill of Grace (NZ), Keltos (FR), King Kamehameha (JPN), King’s Drama (IRE), Lachlan River (NZ), Last Drama (IRE), Suntagonal (AUS), The Deputy (IRE), The Mighty Lions (NZ), Vintage Tipple (IRE)
Connections
Last Tycoon was bred and owned by Richard C. Strauss’s Kilfrush Stud. He was trained by Robert Collet. He was ridden to his triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Mile by Yves St-Laurent. He was owned bu Coolmore as a stallion and entered stud in Ireland in 1986 at Coolmore Stud. At various times, he stood in Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. He was pensioned in 2003. At that time, Coolmore gave him to Arrow Stud, and the stallion remained there as a pensioner until his death in May 2006.
Pedigree notes
Last Tycoon is inbred 4x5x4 to the unbeaten champion Nearco, a two-time leader of the English/Irish general sire list. He is also inbred 5x5 to the excellent producer Nogara, who swept Italy’s One Thousand Guineas and Two Thousand Guineas equivalents after proving herself the best Italian juvenile filly of 1930. He is a full brother to 1990 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner The Perfect Life, dam of 1998 Gordon Stakes (USA-G3) winner Rabah (by Nashwan) and second dam of Irish Group 3 winner Ice Queen. He is a half brother to 1988 German co-champion sprinter Astronef (by Be My Guest) and to listed stakes winners Flowerdrum and Side of Paradise (both by Sadler’s Wells). The last-named mare is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (by Pivotal) and, through her, the second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Tenebrism, 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (USA-G1) winner Henri Matisse, and Irish Group 2 winner Statuette.
Returning to Last Tycoon, he is also a half brother to stakes-placed Save Me the Waltz (by Kings Lake), dam of 1999 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Valentine Waltz (by Be My Guest) and 2004 Matron Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sense of Style (by Thunder Gulch), second dam of Group 3 winners Britt’s Best and Steele Tango, and third dam of 2018 Singapore Horse of the Year Qatar Man, 2013 Czech champion sprinter and 2015 Slovakian champion female sprinter Waka Laura, Grade 2 winner Theodora B., and Italian Group 3 winner Bahja del Sol. In addition, he is a half brother to Zelda (by Caerleon), dam of 2001 Prix Robert Papin (FR-G2) winner Zipping (by Zafonic), 1997 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner Zelding (by Warning), and 2005 Prix du Petit Couvert (FR-G3) winner Nipping (by Night Shift); second dam of French Group 2 winner Beauty Is Truth; and third dam of 2019 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) and Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Hermosa, multiple Group 1 winner Hydrangea, 2016 Ranvet Stakes (AUS-G1) winner The United States, French Group 2 winner Glycon, and multiple Irish Group 3 winner Fire Lily. Finally, Last Tycoon is a half brother to Moon Flower (by Sadler’s Wells), the dam of 2004 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Fantastic Love (by Peintre Celebre), and to Tender Is Thenight (by Barathea), dam of 2006 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Tie Black (by Machiavellian) and French listed stakes winner Besotted (by Dutch Art) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Fancy Me.
Last Tycoon and his siblings are out of Mill Princess, a winning half sister to 1971 Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1) winner Irish Ball (by Baldric) and to French stakes winner Exbury Lad (by Exbury). Produced from 1965 Prix de Minerve winner Irish Lass II (by 1947 English champion 3-year-old male Sayajirao, and a full sister to 1960 Irish champion 3-year-old filly Lynchris), Mill Princess is also a half sister to Irish Bird (by Sea-Bird), dam of 1982 French Horse of the Year Bikala (by Kalamoun), 1982 French champion 3-year-old male Assert (by Be My Guest), and 1987 Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St. Leger (IRE-G1) winner Eurobird (by Ela-Mana-Mou) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Pounced.
Books and media
Footage of Last Tycoon’s win in the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Mile can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj9-2AjsaU0.
Fun facts
- Prior to the Breeders’ Cup Mile, Last Tycoon had never won at any distance greater than 5 furlongs.
- Last Tycoon was the first shuttle stallion from Europe or North America to Australia to earn a sire championship in the Land Down Under.
- In 1999, the Inglewood Handicap at Hollywood Park was renamed in Last Tycoon’s honor. It ran under that name through 2012 at Hollywood and in 2014 and 2015 at Santa Anita.
Last updated: February 4, 2025