Raven’s Pass (USA)
February 17, 2005 – Living
Elusive Quality (USA) x Ascutney (USA), by Lord At War (ARG)
Family 17-b
February 17, 2005 – Living
Elusive Quality (USA) x Ascutney (USA), by Lord At War (ARG)
Family 17-b
Most observers were expecting a repeat of defending American Horse of the Year Curlin’s powerful victory in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic (USA-G1) when the 2008 edition rolled around, but Curlin did not fire his best on the synthetic surface then installed on Santa Anita’s main track and faded after assuming a brief lead. Instead, two American-bred but European-based 3-year-olds with reputations as quality milers finished 1-2 at good prices, headed by Raven’s Pass at 13.50-to-1. Previously a Group 1 winner in England, Raven’s Pass went to stud in Ireland following his Breeders’ Cup upset. He has been quite useful as a stallion but has been limited in his opportunities by low libido, forcing him to prove himself off relatively low numbers of runners by modern standards.
Race record
12 starts, 6 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$3,658,556 (includes converted English and French earnings)
2007:
2008:
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion 3-year-old male (2008)
Assessments
Highweighted among English 3-year-old males of 2008 over 6.5 to 9.5 furlongs.
Earned a rating of 129 pounds on the 2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings, 1 pound below joint highweights Curlin (the American Horse of the Year) and New Approach (the European champion 3-year-old male).
As an individual
A smoothly-made chestnut horse, Raven’s Pass has a good shoulder, a strong body, and a good, straight hind leg. His head is slightly on the large side and he tended to carry it higher than most when racing.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Raven’s Pass has sired 40 stakes winners as of December 19, 2024.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Notable progeny
Matterhorn (IRE), Romantic Proposal (IRE), Royal Marine (IRE), Tower of London (JPN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Mishriff (IRE), Ramatuelle (USA), Rouhiya (FR), Saffron Beach (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Raven’s Pass was bred and owned by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable. In September 2008, Stonerside and its bloodstock interests were purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose Darley Stable leased Raven’s Pass to Princess Haya of Jordan, one of his wives. Raven’s Pass was trained by John Gosden and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup success by Frankie Dettori. In 2009, Raven's Pass entered stud at Kildangan Stud, County Kildare, Ireland.
Pedigree notes
Raven’s Pass is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Windsor County, dam of 2019 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Castle Lady (by Shamardal) and of listed stakes winner Top Score (by Hard Spun). He is a half brother to 2006 Miami Mile Breeders’ Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner Gigawatt (by Wild Again) and to Dovie (by Coronado’s Quest), dam of 2020 Scandinavian champion 3-year-old male Bullof Wall Street (by Tapizar).
Ascutney, the dam of Raven’s Pass, won the 1996 Miesque Stakes (USA-G3). She is a full sister to multiple listed stakes winner Words of War, dam of 2000 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner No Matter What (by Nureyev) and multiple Grade 2 winner E Dubai (by Mr. Prospector). No Matter What, in turn, is the dam of 2008 European champion 2-year-old filly Rainbow View (by Dynaformer), 2009 Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Just as Well (by A.P. Indy), 2014 Longines Dixie Stakes (USA-G2) winner Utley (by Smart Strike), multiple Grade 3 winner Winter View (by Thunder Gulch), and 2019 Winter Derby (ENG-G3) winner Wissahickon (by Tapit) and is also the second dam of French Group 3 winner Stunning Spirit. Through another daughter, Vegas Night (by Coronado’s Quest), Words of War is the second dam of Japanese Group 3 winners America’s Cup and Corepetiteur.
Returning to Ascutney, she is also a half sister to multiple stakes winner Word o’ Ransom (by Red Ransom), dam of 2008 Will Rogers Stakes (USA-G3) winner Polonius (by Broken Vow) and French listed stakes winner Witten (by Fusaichi Pegasus), second dam of Grade 2 winner Advice, and third dam of 2022 Jamaican champion 3-year-old colt Blue Vinyl and Grade 3 winner Barbados. In addition, she is a half sister to Opentotheright (by Avatar), dam of Canadian stakes winner Rage Till Dawn (by Rhythm) and second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Bright Thought, and to Right Spice (by Salt Lake), dam of stakes winner Flavor (by Elusive Quality) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Ete Indien.
Ascutney and her sisters are out of Right Word (by Verbatim), a full sister to listed stakes winner Spruce Song. Produced from the winning Fleet Nasrullah mare Oratorio (a half sister to Grade 3 winner Proponent and Grade 1-producing broodmares Gaebale and Gdynia), Right Word is also a half sister to stakes winner Visto (by Transworld).
Books and media
Footage of Raven’s Pass’s win in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6cKBAs-Bp0.
Fun facts
Last updated: December 21, 2024
Race record
12 starts, 6 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$3,658,556 (includes converted English and French earnings)
2007:
- Won Solario Stakes (ENG-G3, 7FT, Sandown)
- Won Winkfield Stakes (ENG-L, 7FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1, 7FT, Newmarket)
2008:
- Won Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- Won Breeders' Cup Classic (USA-G1, 10FA, Santa Anita; new track record 1:59.27)
- Won Celebration Mile Stakes (ENG-G2, 8FT, Goodwood)
- 2nd Prix Jean Prat (FR-G1, 1600mT, Chantilly)
- 2nd St. James's Palace Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Sussex Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Goodwood)
- 2nd Craven Stakes (ENG-G3, 8FT, Newmarket)
Honors
Eclipse Award finalist, American champion 3-year-old male (2008)
Assessments
Highweighted among English 3-year-old males of 2008 over 6.5 to 9.5 furlongs.
Earned a rating of 129 pounds on the 2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings, 1 pound below joint highweights Curlin (the American Horse of the Year) and New Approach (the European champion 3-year-old male).
As an individual
A smoothly-made chestnut horse, Raven’s Pass has a good shoulder, a strong body, and a good, straight hind leg. His head is slightly on the large side and he tended to carry it higher than most when racing.
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Raven’s Pass has sired 40 stakes winners as of December 19, 2024.
Sire rankings
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 9th on the English broodmare sire list in 2021.
Notable progeny
Matterhorn (IRE), Romantic Proposal (IRE), Royal Marine (IRE), Tower of London (JPN)
Notable progeny of daughters
Mishriff (IRE), Ramatuelle (USA), Rouhiya (FR), Saffron Beach (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Raven’s Pass was bred and owned by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable. In September 2008, Stonerside and its bloodstock interests were purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose Darley Stable leased Raven’s Pass to Princess Haya of Jordan, one of his wives. Raven’s Pass was trained by John Gosden and was ridden to his Breeders’ Cup success by Frankie Dettori. In 2009, Raven's Pass entered stud at Kildangan Stud, County Kildare, Ireland.
Pedigree notes
Raven’s Pass is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to Windsor County, dam of 2019 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) winner Castle Lady (by Shamardal) and of listed stakes winner Top Score (by Hard Spun). He is a half brother to 2006 Miami Mile Breeders’ Cup Handicap (USA-G3) winner Gigawatt (by Wild Again) and to Dovie (by Coronado’s Quest), dam of 2020 Scandinavian champion 3-year-old male Bullof Wall Street (by Tapizar).
Ascutney, the dam of Raven’s Pass, won the 1996 Miesque Stakes (USA-G3). She is a full sister to multiple listed stakes winner Words of War, dam of 2000 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner No Matter What (by Nureyev) and multiple Grade 2 winner E Dubai (by Mr. Prospector). No Matter What, in turn, is the dam of 2008 European champion 2-year-old filly Rainbow View (by Dynaformer), 2009 Northern Dancer Breeders’ Cup Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Just as Well (by A.P. Indy), 2014 Longines Dixie Stakes (USA-G2) winner Utley (by Smart Strike), multiple Grade 3 winner Winter View (by Thunder Gulch), and 2019 Winter Derby (ENG-G3) winner Wissahickon (by Tapit) and is also the second dam of French Group 3 winner Stunning Spirit. Through another daughter, Vegas Night (by Coronado’s Quest), Words of War is the second dam of Japanese Group 3 winners America’s Cup and Corepetiteur.
Returning to Ascutney, she is also a half sister to multiple stakes winner Word o’ Ransom (by Red Ransom), dam of 2008 Will Rogers Stakes (USA-G3) winner Polonius (by Broken Vow) and French listed stakes winner Witten (by Fusaichi Pegasus), second dam of Grade 2 winner Advice, and third dam of 2022 Jamaican champion 3-year-old colt Blue Vinyl and Grade 3 winner Barbados. In addition, she is a half sister to Opentotheright (by Avatar), dam of Canadian stakes winner Rage Till Dawn (by Rhythm) and second dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Bright Thought, and to Right Spice (by Salt Lake), dam of stakes winner Flavor (by Elusive Quality) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Ete Indien.
Ascutney and her sisters are out of Right Word (by Verbatim), a full sister to listed stakes winner Spruce Song. Produced from the winning Fleet Nasrullah mare Oratorio (a half sister to Grade 3 winner Proponent and Grade 1-producing broodmares Gaebale and Gdynia), Right Word is also a half sister to stakes winner Visto (by Transworld).
Books and media
Footage of Raven’s Pass’s win in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6cKBAs-Bp0.
Fun facts
- Raven’s Pass met Henrythenavigator five times in 2008, and his rivalry with that colt provided a measure of his progress during the season. In fourth place and beaten 4½ lengths all told behind “Henry” in the Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1), Raven’s Pass was second to that rival by three-quarters of a length and a head, respectively, in the St. James’s Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes. He then defeated Henrythenavigator by a length in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and finished out the colts’ meetings by leading “Henry” home by 1¾ lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
- Raven’s Pass was the first English-trained horse to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Last updated: December 21, 2024