Blackbeard

Blackbeard (foaled 6 February 2020) is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. As a two-year-old in 2022 he was one of the best juvenile colts in Europe, winning six of his eight races including the Marble Hill Stakes, Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes. He was then retired from racing to become a breeding stallion. Background Blackbeard is a dark bay horse with no white markings bred in Ireland by Newstead Breeding. As a foal in November 2020 he was put up for auction at Tattersalls and was bought by the bloodstock agent Jamie McCalmont for 270,000 guineas. He raced in the ownership of the Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith in association with Georg von Opel's Westerberg organisation. He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle. Blackbeard is from the fifth crop of foals sired by No Nay Never, an American horse who had his greatest success in Europe where he won the Norfolk Stakes and the Prix Morny as a juvenile in 2013. His other foals have included Ten Sovereigns and Alcohol Free. He was the first foal of his dam Muirin, who showed some racing ability as she won one minor races and finished fourth to Happily in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.She was a descendant of the British broodmare Tananarive, making her a distant relative of Mrs Penny and Hatoof. Racing career