Nancy Sexton on Es Que Love

12 Jan 2015

An old rule of thumb for Arthur ‘Bull’ Hancock, owner of Claiborne Farm during its golden era of Buckpasser and Princequillo, was to patronise stallions that had made 25 or more career starts. It was rule that served Claiborne well for as long as it could. But as fewer stallion prospects were campaigned in such a manner, it later became almost impossible for anyone to abide by. So when a horse retires sound in today’s age after making 51 starts, we should sit up and take notice.

 

Es Que Love was a winner every season from ages two to five. He was precocious - he won his second start over 5f in May of his two-year-old year by 5 lengths– and ran Slade Power to a neck at level weights with Lethal Force back in thirdin the Listed Sandy Lane stakes at three. Es Que Love went on to achieve a rating of 114 at five when his performances included a victory in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood over Champion two-year-old Toormore and Group 1 winner Garswood. He was effective from 5f to a mile, and in a measure of his soundness and durability, never made less than nine starts during a single season. He was particularly busy as a four-year-old when his campaign comprised 21 starts and included appearances at the Dubai Carnival, Royal Ascot, Newmarket’s July meeting and Glorious Goodwood. Throughout, he retained all of his enthusiasm and retired to Rathasker Stud at the end of 2014 sound in wind and limb.

“Es Que Love was a trainer's dream,” says Clive Cox, who saddled him to win the Lennox Stakes. “Whilst extremely talented with a great turn of foot he was consistently sound and reliable, with an amazing constitution and appetite for his work. I am sure he will pass on these qualities to his progeny.”

 

Es Que Love has the pedigree to match his record as a son of Clodovil, a dual Group 1-producing son of Danehill. He is also a half-brother to another tough, high-class customer in Dominant, whose five victories include the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase. 

Their dam, the winning Es Que, has bred three two-year-old winners from as many runners and is a daughter of the increasingly influential broodmare sire Inchinor - not only is the Danehill - Ahonoora cross a proven format for producing quality speed but Es Que Love also represents the same Northern Dancer - Ahonoora cross as Group 1 sires Acclamation, Cape Cross and New Approach. Added to that, he descends from Bellarida, the foundation mare of an extremely active family that is also responsible for 2014 Prix de l’Opera heroine We Are as well as other recent stakes winners Dream Clover, Lily’s Angel and Zurigha.

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