Generous

This great chestnut son of Caerlon born in Coolmore in Ireland in 1988 reminded racing lovers of his grandsire Nijinsky.

Generous inherited his grand father's remarkable acceleration and his performances simply paid a tribute to him. He established an overwhelming superiority over his compatriots in 1991. The sire of Doff The Derby, was Master Derby (at 2, Kindergarten Stakes -Gr.3, Dragoon Stakes -Gr.3; At 3, Preakness Stakes -Gr.1, Blue Grass Stakes -Gr.1, Louisiana Derby -Gr.2; At 4, New Orleans Handicap -Gr.3, Oaklawn Handicap -Gr.3, Louisiana Handicap), and her mother, Margarethen was by Tulyar (winner of nine races including, Ormonde Stakes, Derby Trial Stakes, Derby Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, St. Leger Stakes).

Generous was purchased by King Fahd at an auction. The horse was blessed with a sound temperament and was easy to handle. Generous was sent to Paul Cole's Stable who trained him throughout his career. In his big races, jockey Alan Munro partnered him.

In his 2-year-old career in 1990, he had won 2 out of his first 5 starts. He made a winning debut in the Garter Stakes at Royal Ascot winning easily.

In the Coventry Stakes Graduation, he finished a handy second to Mac's Imp, with Willie Carson astride while the winner was ridden by Alan Munro.

In the Lanson Stakes at Goodwood, Mukkadamah, son of Storm Bird, defeated him. In the Prix Morny, he was trounced finishing 10th out of 12 to Hector Protector after fretting a lot before the race.

In his next race, he won the Reference Point Stakes at Sandown. Generous exploded like a flash of lightning out of the stalls, but soon settled to the rear of the field. Less than a furlong from home the colt burst into the lead to win by a length and a half from Rahdari, however the great horse revealed his true potential only after a win in the Three Chimneys Dewhurst Stakes (Gr.1). He won that race at odds of 50-1, upsetting the favourite, Mujtahid (Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes -Gr.2, and Anglia Television July Stakes -Gr.3), and the classic potential Bog Trotter ( 1990 Champagne Stakes -Gr.1, y 1991 2,000 Guineas -Gr.1).

Generous was settled to the rear of the field with Bog Trotter setting a scorching pace. With a furlong to go, jockey Quinn gave the horse some sharp reminders and like a car changing gears.In the last 50 yards, he simply flew like a rocket propelling to win going away. Despite the ground conditions being unfavourable the colt triumphed.

During the Winter, Generous suffered a foot injury with the hindfoot striking his front heel as a result of overreach. He also received a bruising on his foot.

In his 3-year-old career, he was entered in the 2,000 Guineas, without a preliminary race. He had faced a setback in his preparations as a result of a foot injury. In the classic, after being well placed till halfway, he dropped back not able to keep up with the pace, and lost significant ground, however towards the end he fought back to finish a fighting 4th, 8 and a half-lengths behind Mystiko.

The 1991 Epsom Derby was held 3 weeks later, and he will ride for the first time by Alan Munro.Generous started at odds of 9-1.

Mystiko set a scorching pace, with Generous traveling well in the front rank, till Tattenham Corner. Two and a half furlongs out, Generous swooped away from the field like an eagle and ran on to win by 5 and a half lengths. It was one of the most convincing Derby wins of modern times.Second was Marju (St.James's Palace Stakes -Gr.1), and fourth, the French Champion, Hector Protector (Grand Criterium -Gr.1, Prix Morny -Gr.1, Dubai Poule d'essai des Pulains -Gr.1, Prix Du Haras de Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques Le Marois -Gr.1).

Generous had equaled the winning margin of Nashwan and of the 1958 winner, Hard Ridden. In the previous 40 years, only Sea Bird, Shergar, Troy, Arctic Prince and Relko had bettered the winning margin.Generous was simply a Prince that day leading a procession. The margin of 12 lengths that divided the 3rd horse from Generous was the second greatest margin between a winner and a third horse. Generous, that day ideal displayed what a balanced horse he was, perfectly combining his remarkable speed with stamina with a superb temperament-the mark of a great athlete.

In the Irish Derby, Generous proved that his Epsom triumph was no fluke. He drew away in the straight to beat the French Derby winner, Suave Dancer by 3 lengths. Star of Gdansk and Starworld were left behind like starters hacks.

However it was in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes that Generous proved he was a truly great horse comparable with the greats.

Till the home turn the colt was well settled behind Sadlers Hall, and in the straight he simply burst like a tornado to won by a record 7 lengths from Sanglamore (Prid du Jockey Club -Gr.1, Prix D'ispahan -Gr.1), 8 lenghts from Rock Hopper (Jockey Club Stakes -Gr.2, twice Hardwicke Stakes -Gr.2, Princess Of Wales's Stakes -Gr.2), and almost 10 lengths from Terimon (Juddmonte International -Gr.1).

The field was devoured like a tiger tearing his prey. The great horse had surpassed Mill Reef's record 6 length winning margin in 1971. Racing fans were reminded of the legends like Nijinsky or Mill Reef.Generous had become the 6th horse to complete the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, King George treble after Nijinsky, Grundy, The Minstrel, Troy and Shergar.

To the great regret of racing fans Generous was not his true self in the Arc. Racing fans were almost certain that Generous would complete the big race winning combination of the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, King George and Arc, becoming the first horse to do so and compensating for the tragic defeat of his grand father Nijinsky, who was denied the historic distinction, going down by a head to Sassafras (Who would certainly have won but for an attack of ringworm and perhaps wrong riding).

At the home turn, Generous was shaping like a winner traveling with the comfort of a Rolls Royce Car. In the straight, he simply surrendered like a soldier surrendering to the enemy. It was a sad ending to a great career. History was to repeat itself, with great Derby winners like Nijinsky, Troy, Reference Point previously going down after being overwhelming favourites.

After the race, it was revealed that the horse's Fibrogen level was 25 % above what it should have been. His work at home indicated the same fact. The presence of that compound indicated that the horse was over the hill.It was a sad spectacle seeing the great horse bow down so meekly. One was reminded of Nijinsky in the 1970 Champion Stakes and Shergar in the 1981 St.Leger, who were well beaten by horses who at one time they would have defeated like starters hacks.

Generous was retired to the Plantation Stud where he sired 161 winners in Europe, 29 of which are stakes winners (15 Group 1 Winners).

His best sons are, Catella (ELE Pokal-Grosser Erdgas Preis -Gr.1, Gerling Preis-Gr.2, Henninger Trophy -Gr.2, Deutscher Herold -Gr.3, Lotto Hessen Pokal -Gr.3, second in Gran Premio di Milano -Gr.1, Mercedes-Benz Grosser Preis von Baden -Gr.1, third in Breeders' Cup Filly&Mare Turf -Gr.1-), Lisieux Rose (Blandford Stakes -Gr.2, Orchid Handicap -Gr.2, Sheepshead Bay Handicap -Gr.2), Capri (Grand Prix de Chantilly -Gr.2), Courteous (Grand Prix de Deauville -Gr.2, Thresher Classic Trial -Gr.3, third in Canadian International Stakes -Gr.1), Bahr (Ribblesdale Stakes -Gr.2, Tattersalls Musidora Stakes -Gr.3, second in Vodafone Oaks -Gr.1, third in Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap -Gr.1, and Irish Oaks -Gr.1), Blueprint (Sagitta Jockey Club Stakes -Gr.2, San Luis Rey Handicap -Gr.2, Sunset Handicap -Gr.2, third in San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap -Gr.1) and he is also maternal grandsire of Golan (Sagitta 2,000 Guineas -Gr.1, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes -Gr.1, Prix Niel -Gr.2, second in Vodafone Derby Stakes -Gr.1, third in Budweiser Irish Derby -Gr.1).

Generous was given a timeform rating of 139 only below Shergar, Mill Reef, Dancing Brave, amongst classic middle-distance racehorse (ahead of Nijinsky, which I disagree with Racing Post corrected the error changing the respective comparative ratings).

The Racing Post franked it to 138 but still he was ranked ahead of Stalwarts like Sir Ivor, Nashwan and Crepello (Although personally I rate Sir Ivor ahead) and comparably with greats like Dr.Fager or Kelso.

In the 1990's, he was the highest rated British horse, ahead of Daylami and Montjeu. In my view, Generous was just one not below the superhorses like Mill Reef, Dancing Brave or Nijinsky.

He will be remembered as one of racings great horses. The manner he strode away from the opposition like a missile cruising in the King George will not be forgotten in the annals of racing.

Generous 1988	Caerleon	Nijinsky	Northern Dancer
			Flaming Page
		Foreseer	Round Table
			Regal Gleam
	Doff The Derby	Master Derby	Dust Commander
			Madam Jerry
		Margarethen	Tulyar
			Russ-Marie