A rather plain but strongly made horse, Thatch possessed blazing speed at distances up to a mile. He was a rather inconsistent stallion but managed to continue his branch of the Hyperion male line for another generation. He also earned some distinction as the first member of his family to stand at the famous Coolmore Stud.
Race record
9 starts, 7 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, £40,277
1972:
1973:
Honors
Assessments
Led the Irish Free Handicap for 2-year-olds of 1972 by 6 pounds.
Rated at 136 pounds by Timeform, the highest rating awarded among European 3-year-olds of 1973.
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Thatch at #12 among Irish-trained runners of the 20th century and #20 among sprinters of the same period.
As an individual
A bay horse, Thatch stood 16 hands and had a powerful build. He was a strong-willed animal of great speed. Both of his defeats came on soft going.
As a stallion
Records kept by The Jockey Club show Thatch as having sired 207 winners (49.4%) and 31 stakes winners (7.4%) from 419 named foals. Peerage of Racehorses (Ulbrich) credits Thatch with 32 stakes winners (7.6%), while Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) credits him with 29 stakes winners (6.9%). Thatch led the English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1986.
Notable progeny
Achieved (IRE), Danishkada (IRE), Masarika (IRE), Shulich (GB), Stifelius, Tanque Verde (IRE), Thatching (IRE), Tommy Way (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Thatch was bred by Claiborne Farm. He was owned by J. A. Mulcahy, who purchased the colt privately. Thatch was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He was syndicated for £1 million at the end of his racing career and went to stud in Ireland at Coolmore.
Pedigree notes
Thatch is outcrossed though five generations. He is a full brother to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). He is also a full brother to Special, whose three stakes winners include 1980 French champion miler and two-time French champion sire Nureyev. In addition, Special is the second dam of 14-time English/Irish leading sire Sadler's Wells and 1996 French champion sire Fairy King. Thatch is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire.
Thatch's dam Thong placed in three stakes and is a full sister to 1965 American champion 2-year-old filly and co-Horse of the Year Moccasin, whose seven stakes winners include 1971 English and Irish 2-year-old male Apalachee (by Round Table) and 1982 Irish champion sprinter and older male Belted Earl (by Damascus). Thong is also a full sister to 1961 American co-champion 2-year-old male Ridan and the good stakes winner Lt. Stevens, both good sires. In addition, Thong is a half sister to Gambetta (by My Babu), dam of three-time American champion filly Gamely (by Bold Ruler) and second dam of 1973 Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Cellini, 1975 Observer Gold Cup (ENG-G1) winner Take Your Place and the crack turf mare Drumtop, dam of the good Northern Dancer stallion Topsider and Group 3 winner Brogan. Thong and her siblings were produced from Rough Shod II (by Gold Bridge), whose dam Dalmary won the 1934 Yorkshire Oaks.
Last updated: September 19, 2020
Race record
9 starts, 7 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, £40,277
1972:
- Won Tyros Stakes (IRE-G3, 6FT, The Curragh)
- Won Probationers Stakes (IRE, 7FT, The Curragh)
1973:
- Won St. James's Palace Stakes (ENG-G2, 8FT, Ascot)
- Won July Cup (ENG-G2, 6FT, Newmarket)
- Won Sussex Stakes (ENG-G2, 8FT, Goodwood)
- Won Vauxhall Trial S. (IRE-G3, 7FT, Phoenix Park)
Honors
- Irish champion 2-year-old male (1972)
- English champion miler (1973)
Assessments
Led the Irish Free Handicap for 2-year-olds of 1972 by 6 pounds.
Rated at 136 pounds by Timeform, the highest rating awarded among European 3-year-olds of 1973.
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Thatch at #12 among Irish-trained runners of the 20th century and #20 among sprinters of the same period.
As an individual
A bay horse, Thatch stood 16 hands and had a powerful build. He was a strong-willed animal of great speed. Both of his defeats came on soft going.
As a stallion
Records kept by The Jockey Club show Thatch as having sired 207 winners (49.4%) and 31 stakes winners (7.4%) from 419 named foals. Peerage of Racehorses (Ulbrich) credits Thatch with 32 stakes winners (7.6%), while Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) credits him with 29 stakes winners (6.9%). Thatch led the English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1986.
Notable progeny
Achieved (IRE), Danishkada (IRE), Masarika (IRE), Shulich (GB), Stifelius, Tanque Verde (IRE), Thatching (IRE), Tommy Way (IRE)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Thatch was bred by Claiborne Farm. He was owned by J. A. Mulcahy, who purchased the colt privately. Thatch was trained by Vincent O'Brien. He was syndicated for £1 million at the end of his racing career and went to stud in Ireland at Coolmore.
Pedigree notes
Thatch is outcrossed though five generations. He is a full brother to 1974 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Lisadell, dam of three stakes winners including 1992 Smurfit National Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Fatherland (by Sadler's Wells). He is also a full brother to Special, whose three stakes winners include 1980 French champion miler and two-time French champion sire Nureyev. In addition, Special is the second dam of 14-time English/Irish leading sire Sadler's Wells and 1996 French champion sire Fairy King. Thatch is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner King Pellinore (by Round Table); to stakes winner Espadrille (by Damascus), dam of multiple stakes producer Pump (by Forli); to Handsewn (by Sir Ivor), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Festival Hall (by Sadler's Wells) and Grade 3 winner Hymn (by Fairy King); and to Geiger Counter (by Mr. Prospector), a useful sire.
Thatch's dam Thong placed in three stakes and is a full sister to 1965 American champion 2-year-old filly and co-Horse of the Year Moccasin, whose seven stakes winners include 1971 English and Irish 2-year-old male Apalachee (by Round Table) and 1982 Irish champion sprinter and older male Belted Earl (by Damascus). Thong is also a full sister to 1961 American co-champion 2-year-old male Ridan and the good stakes winner Lt. Stevens, both good sires. In addition, Thong is a half sister to Gambetta (by My Babu), dam of three-time American champion filly Gamely (by Bold Ruler) and second dam of 1973 Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Cellini, 1975 Observer Gold Cup (ENG-G1) winner Take Your Place and the crack turf mare Drumtop, dam of the good Northern Dancer stallion Topsider and Group 3 winner Brogan. Thong and her siblings were produced from Rough Shod II (by Gold Bridge), whose dam Dalmary won the 1934 Yorkshire Oaks.
Last updated: September 19, 2020