Selkirk (horse)
Selkirk was an American-bred Thoroughbred race horse and sire who raced mainly in Europe. Bred in Pennsylvania and owned by American philanthropist businessman George W. Strawbridge Jr., he was trained by Ian Balding. At the end of 1991, his third year, he had a record of 3-1-2 out of seven starts. In total, he had won six of his 15 starts. He retired from racing in 1993 and began his stud career at Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades stud farm in Newmarket, England, where he sired 92 stakes winners from 987 foals. He died on January 3, 2013, at the age of 25.
Background
Selkirk was a chestnut horse with a white blaze and long white socks on his hind legs, bred in Pennsylvania by his owner George Strawbridge. He was sired by Sharpen Up, a British racehorse who won the Middle Park Stakes in 1971 before becoming a successful breeding stallion. His other progeny included Pebbles, Kris and Diesis. Selkirk's dam, Annie Edge was a successful racemare for Strawbridge on both sides of the Atlantic, winning the Park Stakes in 1983, and the New York Stakes a year later. Strawbridge sent his colt to be raced in Europe and trained at Ian Balding's Kingsclere training facility near Watership Down, Hampshire, England.Racing career
1990: two-year-old season
Selkirk never contested a maiden race, instead starting his career in a Listed stakes event. On September 14 Selkirk won his debut race in the Stardom Stakes at Goodwood by four lengths with a time of 1m 38.56s. He was immediately moved up to the highest level for the Group One Grand Critérium at Longchamp on October 6 in which finished fourth at around three lengths behind champion Hector Protector.1991: three-year-old season
In the first half of the year, Selkirk had begun to experience pain and his racing began to falter. Veterinarian Simon Knapp discovered that the horse had an un-descended or trapped testicle. Surgery and subsequent recovery was required.On September 6, Selkirk returned to racing. The Milcars Temple Fortune Stakes at Kempton Park was his first impressive win as he broke the course record by almost three seconds, winning by five lengths with a time of 1m 36.43s. Both owner and trainer took the win as a sign Selkirk was not only back in racing form, but also more improved. He was entered into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on September 28 against the best milers of Europe, such as Kooyonga and Shadayid. Selkirk won that race by lengths at a time of 1m 44.34s.
His previous victory allowed him to be highweighted at the 1991 English Free Handicap at 7 to furlongs. He received his first honor in 1991 as Timeform named him Europe's Champion Miler. This honor followed him into his fourth year and 1992.