The top-class Persian Wonder winning the 1962 Dee Stakes at Chester was our subject photo yesterday.
Well done to Ian and Alistair Brown who were first to provide the answer.
Jay August writes that PW’s exploits in the UK are generally well known and the Dee Stakes was one of nine wins over three seasons.
Not so well known is that he raced in SA with his first start on 9 May 1964 in the Drill Hall Stakes where he finished second last.
Thereafter he ran unplaced in the Clairwood June H, Durban July H, Clairwood Winter Handicap, Gold Cup and Champion Stakes, always closer to last than first!
He ended this sorry record with three races in the Cape in 1965, again either finishing last or near last. His last start was on 19 April 1965.
He sired his first crop in 1965 and his last in 1979.
He sired 14 Grade 1 winners of 21 Grade 1 races with Shah Abbas and Archangel the best, the latter winning 5 Grade 1 races.
His first stakes winner was Persian Ruler who won the 1968 JWS Langerman Handicap and his last Avila who won the 1983 Natalia Stakes
He was Champion Sire on six occasions – from 1972/73 to 1975/76 and 1978/79 to 1979/80, and in the top three for ten consecutive seasons from 1971/72. He was Champion Juvenile Sire once in 1973/74, and in the top three on six occasions. He was Champion Broodmare Sire on four occasions, and in the top two on seven occasions.
He died on 9 November 1979 at age 21.
Today’s pic could be a tough one – who was this fantastic looking individual posing as a yearling?
The answer will be published tomorrow morning.
