Roberto (horse)

Roberto
Racing silks of John W. Galbreath
SireHail To Reason
GrandsireTurn-To
DamBramalea
DamsireNashua
SexStallion
Foaled1969
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederJohn W. Galbreath
OwnerJohn W. Galbreath
TrainerVincent O'Brien
Record14: 7-3-0
Earnings$339,902
Major wins
National Stakes (1971)
Anglesey Stakes (1971)
Epsom Derby (1972)
Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (1972)
Vauxhall Trial Stakes (1972)
Coronation Cup (1973)
Awards
Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in Ireland (1971)
Champion 3-year-old colt in Ireland (1972)
Champion 3-year-old colt in England (1972)
Honours
Timeform rating: 131
Last updated on 31 May 2022

Roberto (16 March 1969 – 2 August 1988) was an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. In a career that lasted from 1971 until July 1973, he ran fourteen times and won seven races. He was the best Irish two-year-old of 1971, when his victories included the National Stakes. As a three-year-old, he won the Derby before recording a famous victory over Brigadier Gerard in the inaugural running of the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. This is regarded by many experts to have been one of the greatest ever performances on a European racecourse.[1] He won the Coronation Cup as a four-year-old before being retired to stud. Roberto had fragile knees and required a left-handed track to perform to his best; he never won going right-handed.[1] He was described by Lester Piggott as " a champion when things were in his favour".[2] Roberto also proved to be a highly successful and influential stallion.[3]

  1. ^ a b McKenna, P. G. (January 2015). "Vincent O'Brien Biography" – via researchgate.net.
  2. ^ "The day a US-based jockey produced one of the biggest shocks in British racing | Topics: York Racecourse, Looking Back, Barry Hills, Roberto, Brigadier Gerard, Braulio Baeza, John Galbreath, Vincent O'Brien, Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, Lester Piggot, Juddmonte International".
  3. ^ "The Wonder of Roberto". 12 September 2012.