MONSUN
Konigsstuhl (GER) (10.5f) — Mosella (GER) (Surumu (GER) (10.8f))
Trainer H Jentzsch H Jentzsch until 29 May 1994
Owner Baron G Von Ullmann
Breeder Gestut Isarland
Flat placings 11211/1632212/1615/
Rules Races: 16 wins; 8 second places; 4 third places; 1 fourth place
Total prize money: £692,955
Retired from racing as a 3 year old in August 1995.
Leading sire in Germany in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.
We read with sorrow this morning of the passing of the great German sire Monsun at the age of 23.
He was foaled in a year that began a golden era for Germn breeding and he had it all, talent, beauty, intelligence and most of all, courage. It was no surprise that when he retired to stud he got outstanding offspring. Both German breeding and racing have lost a giant of a horse. This loss will be felt by all of us who love the Thoroughbred racehorse.
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| Monsun on the track, photo from Turf Times, link below |
We never saw him race and only became aware of his offspring years after he had already been successful at stud. And yet, were it not for Sadler's Wells claiming all of our heart Monsun would have been our all time favourite sire. As it is he will always be the closest of rivals.
Monsun was bred by Gestüt Isarland and was foaled in 1990. He was owned by Baron Georg von Ullmann and trained by Heinz Jentzsch. He lost out in the Deutsches Derby by just 2 lengths to another German bred star Lando, but during his career he won three German Group 1 races over middle distances.
He made one appearance in Britain, on 03 Jun 1994 ridden by Pat Eddery he ran in the Grp1 Coronation Cup at Epsom. The ground was good to firm, he preferred softer and when he finished only 6th it was thought that he did not handle the course. It's an interesting point that the race was won by Apple Tree trained by Andre Fabre. Apple Tree went on be the sire of the Martin/David Pipe trained star Lough Derg! Back in the field was the outstanding filly Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea the future dam of the immortals Galileo and Sea The Stars. It was her final race before she went to stud.
We had become acquainted with Monsun through the siting of several tall dark and handsome horses we admired at racetracks. Checking the racecard we began to see that Monsun often had a type of horse he sired. Very well built and amazingly good looking. Brave, tough, staying power with a turn of foot too.
This year Royal Ascot was lit up with victories by two of the old horse's offspring, the Queen's Vase winner Estimate and Tercentenary Stakes winner Energizer. He was also damsire to Colour Vision the The Gold Cup winner.
I grew up near the dusty dirt tracks of California, tales of Big Red and his illustrious ancestor Man O War entralled me. This sparked a lifelong interest in Thoroughbred breeding and as many of the descendants of Man O War were exported to France and Germany we followed their stories there. We have a personal debt to German bloodstock as the two humble racehorses we owned 50% shares in were out of a German bred mare. This was by design not accident, we love German breeding and it has gifted us many memories. Had we not followed German pedigrees we would never have been so sure that Galileo would give Sadler's Wells his first Derby winner. Mosella dam of Monsun was by a top class broodmare sire Surumu who also happens to be broodmare sire of two other horses we have loved and followed, Lomitas and Hurricane Run.
We were fortunate to witness the German Derby victory of Shirocco which gave us an inside view to how good he was before he arrived in England and went on to win The Breeder's Cup. We owe him a few polos and have been to Dalham Hall to visit him. We were smitten and followed all of Monsun's runners. Manduro was another favourite.
In 2008 we had the pleasure of meeting Monsun at Gestüt Schlenderhan near Cologne in Germany when we took a tour there with the Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Schlenderhan dates back to 1869 and has been one of the most successful stud farms in Germany. Sadly Baroness Karin von Ullmann reknowned breeder died in 2009 at the age of 87. Monsun's sire Konigsstuhl won the German Triple Crown in 1976. The stud made us most welcome and we are grateful to them for having had the opportunity to see Monsun up close. Nearly blind his nobility and dignity nevertheless shone brightly. His spirit was uplifting and heartbreaking at once.
As he came out to parade for us there was an intake of breath and then silence as all who watched were in awe. He had enormous presence and great beauty. He clearly trusted his handlers who showed him due respect and took tender care of him. They were very rightly hugely proud of their charge who kept his head turned slightly while listening for their next word, who leaned his great shoulder upon them as they led him round.
It was hard not to feel choked up by his beauty and his courage. He had suffered and yet bore his suffering like a war medal. He was a proud horse despite losing most of his sight. Like all the great sires we have met, Sadler's Wells, Montjeu, Galileo and Ela Mana Mou amongst them, it was impossible to ignore Monsun, there was something almost supernatural about the aura which surrounded him.
You knew you had witnessed something truly special.
Our condolences to Gestüt Schlenderhan and all who knew and loved him.
Some of his greatest offspring:
Manduro, Shirocco, Stacelita, Floriot, Gentlewave, Getaway, Le Miracle, Samum, Schiaparelli
Weatherby's paid tribute to Monsun and German breeding in February of this year. The link is at the bottom of the article.
Sons of Monsun Impressing at Stud
Wed, 01 February 2012
German Breeders have deliberately and skillfully employed inbreeding and linebreeding to siblings and superior ancestors for generations and thus have produced sound animals for which we are now seeing the benefit of in the likes of Galileo and his offspring.
Monsun is a product of that skillful generation, by Konigsstuhl out of a mare by top class broodmare sire Surumu (broodmare sire of Lomitas and Hurricane Run). A multiple Group 1 winner in Germany over 12f, he won 8 Graded races in total from 10-12f and was second to Lando in the German Derby. His 15 crops have yielded 9 Champions and 80 blacktype winners as well as being named Leading sire in Germany in 2002, 04 and 06.
His lineage of producing top class middle distance prospects has elevated his sons to be of commercial value in the Flat and NH Stallion scenes. His first crop produced smart Group 2 winner, Network out of a mare by Reliance II, the broodmare sire of Oscar making him an ideal NH stallion. Network’s exploits at stud are now well documented with the likes of leading Arkle contender, SPRINTER SACRE and Grade 1 winner, RUBI BALL. Expect Network to go right to the top of the stallion ranks in the near future.
Monsun’s first crop also included dual Group 1 winner Samum and long distance stayer Speedmaster. Samum is out of a mare by Old Vic so also has credentials to be popular at stud amongst NH breeders and has already sired Group 1 winning flat performers in Baila Me and German Derby winner Kamsin. Speedmaster is out of a mare by Shirley Heights and has leading claims of being effective with Northern Dancer line mares.
Manduro and Shirocco have been marketed extensively as Flat stallions standing under the Darley banner and have both produced Group winners on the flat. The sheer plethora of runners means at some point their offspring will get a chance to show their ability over hurdles. Time will tell where their respective careers are heading.
Andre Fabre knows the Monsun’s well as he trained both Getaway and Gentlewave. The latter has made a sparkling start to his career siring Saturday’s disqualified Triumph Hurdle Trial winner Pearl Swan whilst Getaway raced for 5 seasons winning 6 Group races and his first foals are due to hit the ground this year.
Other sons of Monsun whose runners are due to hit the ground in the coming seasons include Arcadio, a Group 2 winning miler out of a Royal Academy mare. Schiaparelli, a full-brother to Samum whose foals are also due this year and September Storm, a full-brother to Shirocco whose first crop are now 3yo’s.
Weatherby's article
Monsun was also paid a lovely tribute by Sid Fernando in his 2009 blog
Sid Fernando
And his stamina analysis
Monsun analysis at chef-de-race
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