 Race Record
Four run unbeaten stretch at two.
Most commentary from 'Horse and Hound'.
1983
Maiden, Yarmouth
Winner first time out, very easily.
Donnington Castle Stakes
Picture above is of Trojan Fen winning the Donnington Castle Stakes.
The most memorable sight, for all sorts of reasons, was that of
Mr. Niarchos's Trojan Fen strolling unconcernedly home to beat Carabineer by three
effortless lengths in the Donnington Castle Stakes. Trojan Fen. who cost 115,000 guineas
at Newmarket last year was the late and much-lamented Troy's first runner - and winner -
when he appeared at Yarmouth.
Neither there, nor last week, has he beaten anything of established merit - but no
two-year-old has ever had a nicer more enjoyable introduction to the game. Hopes that
Lester Piggott might "go through the card" (five of his six rides started
favourite) had evaporated in the first, but on Trojan Fen, cruising ahead at half-way he
had one of his most carefree spells of sitting pretty.
It remains to be seen exactly how good Trojan Fen will turn out to be - and our next
chance to guess will probably to in the Lanson Champagne Stakes at Goodwood. But he is
only the first of more than a hundred chances we shall have, over the next three years, to
say, "what might have been". At least Troy has left plenty of evidence behind
him and if Trojan Fen is anything to go by that evidence is going to hammer home
again and again the tragic loss to British racing which his premature death represents.
Lanson Champagne Stakes (L, now Gr. 3)
Henry Cecil at least had plenty to console him at Goodwood
notably the triumph of his third twoyear-old star at the meeting, Mr. Stavros Niarchos's
Trojan Fen.
Two elegant portraits of Troy, who won the Lanson Champagne Stakes in 1978, decorated
Thursday's card and Trojan Fen did his father's memory proud. According to Dick Hern he
much resembles Troy though on a smaller scale. "I still wish I had him," the
Royal trainer said admiringly - and no wonder, for although Lester Piggott did just have
to shake him up, Trojan Fen decisively held the challenge of Mr. Paul Mellon's nice
Shirley Heights colt Elegant Air.
Washinton Singer Stakes (L)
Henry Cecil has an even stronger team of two-year-olds in 1983
and one of its most promising members, Mr. Stavros Niarchos's Trojan Fen, had no
difficulty in keeping his unbeaten record in the Washington Singer Stakes.
Of his three opponents, the Shirley Heights colt Head For Heights did best but neither
he nor Hoyer could get Trojan Fen into top gear Hoyer was beaten six lengths in the end -
which, if you take the form book literally, puts Trojan Fen on the same mark as his stable
companion Vacarme. Only Lester Piggott could say which had more to spare - and he, so far
as I know, is not talking!
Despite the fact that Trojan Fen's dam Fenella is by Thatch it is perfectly possible
that Troy will give him enough stamina for the Derby. William Hill offered 25 to 1 about
that race last week while Esal went to 20 to 1 for the 2000 Guineas.
Royal Lodge Stakes (Gr. 3, now Gr. 2)
This race often throws up several of the following year's classic contenders. It is one
of the major two-year-old races for potential middle distance classic contenders in the
Brirish racing calendar.
Trojan Fen finished third, his first defeat after a long campain. After this he was put
away for the winter to be trained for the 1984 classics.
1984
Gerry Fielden Stakes (L)
A known classic trial for the 2000 Guineas and Derby. Won.
Sandown Classic Trial (Gr. 3)
Again, a known Derby trial. Trojan Fen finished second to Alphabatim after failing to
stay 1m 2f.
Lockinge Stakes (Gr. 2, now Gr. 1)
Back to 1 mile and the most bizarre result - Trojan Fen unseated his rider at the start
after being made favourite to win.
Queen Anne Stakes (Gr. 2)
 Won, in a record
time, from a field which included champion Cormorant Wood and Irish 2000 Guineas winner
Wassl.
The Queen Anne stakes proved sadly to be Trojan Fen's last race. Whilst being trained
for the Sussex Stakes, the summer mile championship and a race whose winner is often named
Miler of the Year, he pulled back muscles and was retired to the Old Connell Stud in
Ireland. Trojan Fen's stud career is covered in
these pages, though he ultimately proved a little disappointing.
However nothing can take away from the fact that Trojan Fen was probably Troy's best
runner, despite the fact that on Timeform Ratings others (such as Helen Street and Walensee) were officially rated higher.
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