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Von Csadek ran over hurdles in 1987, and then burst onto the timber race scene with three successive wins in 1988, the highlight being his 110 length victory in the Virginia Gold Cup; his victories that year were duly recognized by his award as Timber Horse of the Year in 1988. In all his 1988 wins he was ridden by his part owners' 16 year old son, Patrick Worrall. In 1990 he won a second Virginia Gold Cup, and then was sent to England to school for the Grand National at Aintree, where he won two races and finished second once, in four starts; a hairline fracture stopped his career temporarily and he was sent home. In 1992 he was brought back to chasing, winning the Maryland Hunt Cup by 30 lengths. Retired after 22 wins (including one flat race) and $200,000, he was then sent to show ring, trained by former Olympian Frank Chapot and ridden by his daughter, Laura, later an Olympian herself. In the jumper venue Von Csadek won several open speed stakes before retiring with the intent of taking him to the hunting field. He broke his leg in a pasture accident in 1998, before he could go hunting, and was euthanized. His sire, a very modest stakes winner in France, President, was a son of top middle distance runner and leading sire Lyphard; President's grandam, Blue Kiss, also produced Garde Coeur, a good winner over obstacles. Von Csadek's damsire, Hawaii, also got the top international-level combined training horse, Molokai. |
