Pilsudski (IRE)
April 23, 1992 – June 4, 2015
Polish Precedent (USA) x Cocotte (GB), by Troy (GB)
Family 11
April 23, 1992 – June 4, 2015
Polish Precedent (USA) x Cocotte (GB), by Troy (GB)
Family 11
Pilsudski took a while to mature, but after he came into his full ability, he racked up plenty of frequent flyer miles during his racing career. He won Grade/Group 1 stakes races in five countries and was Europe’s champion older male in 1997. Unfortunately, his talents as a stallion were not nearly equal to his ability as a racehorse, and he failed at stud in both Japan and Ireland.
Race record
22 starts, 10 firsts, 6 seconds, 2 thirds, US$4,080,297
1996:
1997:
Honors
Cartier Award, European champion older horse (1997)
Assessments
Earned a rating of 95 pounds on the English Free Handicap for 3-year-olds of 1995, suggesting that he was some 14-15 pounds below Group-level ability at that time.
Rated at 134 pounds on the International Classification for 1997, best among European older males.
As an individual
An imposing bay horse with a strong, muscular body and good balance, Pilsudski stood 16.2 hands. He was courageous and determined when set down for a drive.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, Pilsudski sired 114 winners (19.1%) and no stakes winners from 597 named foals of racing age. None of his daughters have achieved prominence as broodmares.
Connections
Bred at Ballymacoll Stud, Pilsudski was owned by Ballymacoll owner Arnold Weinstock, Baron Weinstock, and his son, Simon Weinstock, until Simon’s death in 1996; at which time Lord Weinstock became the horse’s sole owner. Pilsudski was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was ridden to his win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf by Walter Swinburn. Pilsudski entered stud in 1997 at Shizunai Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, where he stood for six seasons. He was then purchased by the Irish National Stud and Anngrove Stud and stood the remainder of his stud career at the latter. He died in June 2015.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1989 French champion miler Polish Precedent, Pilsudski is inbred 5x4 to 1959 English champion sire Petition, winner of the 1948 Eclipse Stakes and other important races. He is a half brother to 2002 Japanese champion 3-year-old filly Fine Motion (by Danehill) and to 1990 Silken Glider Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Glowing Ardour (by Dancing Brave), dam of stakes winner Got a Crush (by Allen’s Prospect), second dam of Grade 3 winner Palmilla and Irish Group 3 winner Luminous Eyes, and third dam of multiple Australian Group 2 winner Lumosty and Australian Group 3 winner New Endeavour. Pilsudski is also a half brother to listed stakes winner Baraka (by Danehill), third dam of Irish Group 2 winner Crypto Force; to listed stakes winner Briolette (by Sadler’s Wells); and to Anima (by Ajdal), second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Youmzain, 2008 Lockinge Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Creachadoir, and Group 3 winner Shreyas. In addition, Pilsudski is a half brother to Honey Bun (by Unfuwain), dam of restricted stakes winner Proud Beauty (by Danehill) and second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Yoka Yoka.
Pilsudski and his siblings were produced from Group 3-placed Cocotte, a daughter of 1979 English Horse of the Year Troy and a half sister to Group 3-placed Italian stakes winner Gay Captain (by Ela-Mana-Mou). Cocotte is also a half sister to Far Fetched (by Distant Relative), dam of multiple Italian stakes winner Vinea Federspiel (by Singspiel).
Cocotte, in turn, is out of the Mill Reef mare Gay Milly, whose half sister Gay Hellene (by Ela-Mana-Mou) won the 1985 Prix de Flore (FR-G3) and is the dam of listed stakes winner Nash Terrace (by Nashwan); the second dam of 2016 Metropolitan Handicap (AUS-G1) winner Sir John Hawkwood, 2008 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Naaqoos, and Group 3 winners Barastraight, Greek Renaissance, and Side Saddle; and the third dam of Group 3 winner Mazameer. Produced from 1974 Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Gaily (by Sir Gaylord), Gay Milly is also a half sister to Glad Tidings (by Pharly), dam of French listed stakes winner Stop Press (by Sharpen Up) and second dam of 2001 Japanese champion juvenile filly Tamuro Cherry and multiple German Group 3 winner Street Poker. In addition, Gay Milly is a half sister to Gay Fantastic (by Ela-Mana-Mou), dam of 2002 King Edward Breeders’ Cup Handicap (CAN-G2) winner Moon Solitaire (by Night Shift), 1998 Gordon Richard Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Germano (by Generous), French listed stakes winner Fantastic Bid (by Auction Ring), and restricted stakes winner Fantastic Don (by Sovereign Dancer) and second dam of multiple New Zealand Group 2 winner Keyora.
Books and media
Footage of Pilsudski’s win in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n5sklUwn3Y.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 2, 2026
Race record
22 starts, 10 firsts, 6 seconds, 2 thirds, US$4,080,297
1996:
- Won Breeders’ Cup Turf (CAN-G1, 12FT, Woodbine)
- Won 124 Mercedes-Benz-Grosser Preis von Baden (GER-G1, 2400mT, Baden-Baden)
- Won Royal Whip Stakes (IRE-G3, 10FT, The Curragh)
- Won Spillers Brigadier Gerard Stakes (ENG-G3, 9F+209yT, Sandown)
- 2nd Forte Meridien Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd TGI Friday’s Gordon Richards Stakes (ENG-G3, 9F+209yT, Sandown)
1997:
- Won Japan Cup (JPN-G1, 2400mT, Tokyo)
- Won Dubai Champion Stakes (ENG-G1, 10FT, Newmarket)
- Won Irish Champion Stakes (IRE-G1, 10FT, Leopardstown)
- Won Coral-Eclipse Stakes (ENG-G1, 9F+209yT, Sandown)
- 2nd Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, 11F+211yT, Ascot)
- 2nd Hardwicke Stakes (ENG-G2, 11F+211yT, Ascot)
- 3rd Prix Ganay (FR-G1, 2100mT, Longchamp)
Honors
Cartier Award, European champion older horse (1997)
Assessments
Earned a rating of 95 pounds on the English Free Handicap for 3-year-olds of 1995, suggesting that he was some 14-15 pounds below Group-level ability at that time.
Rated at 134 pounds on the International Classification for 1997, best among European older males.
As an individual
An imposing bay horse with a strong, muscular body and good balance, Pilsudski stood 16.2 hands. He was courageous and determined when set down for a drive.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, Pilsudski sired 114 winners (19.1%) and no stakes winners from 597 named foals of racing age. None of his daughters have achieved prominence as broodmares.
Connections
Bred at Ballymacoll Stud, Pilsudski was owned by Ballymacoll owner Arnold Weinstock, Baron Weinstock, and his son, Simon Weinstock, until Simon’s death in 1996; at which time Lord Weinstock became the horse’s sole owner. Pilsudski was trained by Sir Michael Stoute and was ridden to his win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf by Walter Swinburn. Pilsudski entered stud in 1997 at Shizunai Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, where he stood for six seasons. He was then purchased by the Irish National Stud and Anngrove Stud and stood the remainder of his stud career at the latter. He died in June 2015.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1989 French champion miler Polish Precedent, Pilsudski is inbred 5x4 to 1959 English champion sire Petition, winner of the 1948 Eclipse Stakes and other important races. He is a half brother to 2002 Japanese champion 3-year-old filly Fine Motion (by Danehill) and to 1990 Silken Glider Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Glowing Ardour (by Dancing Brave), dam of stakes winner Got a Crush (by Allen’s Prospect), second dam of Grade 3 winner Palmilla and Irish Group 3 winner Luminous Eyes, and third dam of multiple Australian Group 2 winner Lumosty and Australian Group 3 winner New Endeavour. Pilsudski is also a half brother to listed stakes winner Baraka (by Danehill), third dam of Irish Group 2 winner Crypto Force; to listed stakes winner Briolette (by Sadler’s Wells); and to Anima (by Ajdal), second dam of multiple Group 1 winner Youmzain, 2008 Lockinge Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Creachadoir, and Group 3 winner Shreyas. In addition, Pilsudski is a half brother to Honey Bun (by Unfuwain), dam of restricted stakes winner Proud Beauty (by Danehill) and second dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Yoka Yoka.
Pilsudski and his siblings were produced from Group 3-placed Cocotte, a daughter of 1979 English Horse of the Year Troy and a half sister to Group 3-placed Italian stakes winner Gay Captain (by Ela-Mana-Mou). Cocotte is also a half sister to Far Fetched (by Distant Relative), dam of multiple Italian stakes winner Vinea Federspiel (by Singspiel).
Cocotte, in turn, is out of the Mill Reef mare Gay Milly, whose half sister Gay Hellene (by Ela-Mana-Mou) won the 1985 Prix de Flore (FR-G3) and is the dam of listed stakes winner Nash Terrace (by Nashwan); the second dam of 2016 Metropolitan Handicap (AUS-G1) winner Sir John Hawkwood, 2008 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (FR-G1) winner Naaqoos, and Group 3 winners Barastraight, Greek Renaissance, and Side Saddle; and the third dam of Group 3 winner Mazameer. Produced from 1974 Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Gaily (by Sir Gaylord), Gay Milly is also a half sister to Glad Tidings (by Pharly), dam of French listed stakes winner Stop Press (by Sharpen Up) and second dam of 2001 Japanese champion juvenile filly Tamuro Cherry and multiple German Group 3 winner Street Poker. In addition, Gay Milly is a half sister to Gay Fantastic (by Ela-Mana-Mou), dam of 2002 King Edward Breeders’ Cup Handicap (CAN-G2) winner Moon Solitaire (by Night Shift), 1998 Gordon Richard Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Germano (by Generous), French listed stakes winner Fantastic Bid (by Auction Ring), and restricted stakes winner Fantastic Don (by Sovereign Dancer) and second dam of multiple New Zealand Group 2 winner Keyora.
Books and media
Footage of Pilsudski’s win in the 1996 Breeders’ Cup Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8n5sklUwn3Y.
Fun facts
- Pilsudski was named after the Polish politician Józef Pilsudski, who was known for his love of horses.
- Pilsudski was the first of three Breeders’ Cup Turf winners for Sir Michael Stoute, who captured the 2000 Turf with Kalanisi and the 2008 and 2009 editions of the race with Conduit.
Last updated: June 2, 2026