Ribot (horse) - Stud Record

Stud Record

Retired from racing, Ribot had an exceptionally successful career at stud. Under a one-year contract, he first stood at Lord Derby's stud in England. In 1959, he was syndicated for a five-year lease at a cost of $1.35 million dollars before being sent to the United States in a deal of such significance that on June 1, 1959, Sports Illustrated did a feature article on it titled The Man, The Horse And The Deal That Made History.

Fiery on the racetrack, Ribot developed a dangerous temperament and had to be handled by the strongest stallion groom at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, where he stood at stud. Ribot was so territorial that he would not tolerate the sight of other stallions and once he refused to calm down until a herd of cows was moved over a hill and out of his vision.

Originally, Ribot was leased by Darby Dan to stand in the United States for five years. After his temper surfaced, no insurance company would offer a policy to cover shipping him back to Europe. A new contract was worked out, and Ribot remained in the United States until his death. He is buried in the equine cemetery at Darby Dan, near his sons Graustark and His Majesty.

He was leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland on three occasions (1963, 1967 and 1968). His European progeny included Molvedo and Prince Royal, both winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; Ragusa, winner of the Irish Derby, St. Leger, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Eclipse Stakes. In America he sired Long Look (won Epsom Oaks), the full brothers Ribocco and Ribero, both winners of the Irish Derby and St. Leger; Boucher the winner of the 1972 St Leger; Tom Rolfe, winner of the Preakness Stakes; Arts and Letters, winner of the Belmont Stakes; and Graustark. Ribot's son His Majesty sired the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Pleasant Colony, and his great grandson Alleged, by Tom Rolfe's son Hoist The Flag, emulated him by winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in succssive years (1977 and 1978).

At least 15 Ribot stallions stood in Australasia, including Arivederci, Angeluccio, Latin Lover, Boucher (USA), Dies, Ribollire, Heir Apparent, Koryo, Regent's Tale, Ruantallan, Ribotlight, and Headland. The progeny of the 15 imported stallions had won over A$7 million until late 1979.