Albertine, dam of 1993 upset Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Arcangues, died Feb. 3 from the infirmities of old age. The 32-year-old mare had been retired from breeding in 2006 and remained at Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., until the time of her death.
Bred in France by Dayton Investments Limited and raced in the colors of Daniel Wildenstein, Albertine ran third in two French stakes including the Prix de l'Opera (Fr-II). She was sent to North America to compete in the E. P. Taylor Stakes (gr. IIT) at Woodbine and finished fourth. She raced once more before retiring with a record of 2-0-2 from seven starts and earnings of $36,878.
Arcangues, Albertine's third foal, won the Classic at Santa Anita at odds of 133-1 defeating subsequent champion older male Bertrando by two lengths. Others in the beaten field included Marquetry, Devil His Due, Best Pal, Miner's Mark, and Colonial Affair. Arcangues, by Sagace, was a multiple European topweight.
"As a recent member of the Breeders' Cup board, I can't emphasize enough the magnitude of winning the Breeders' Cup Classic," Wildenstein's grandson, David, said in a statement announcing the mare's passing. "It is truly one of the greatest accomplishments that a Thoroughbred owner and breeder can hope to achieve. Albertine holds a special place among the best mares my grandfather ever bred, and she is honored today by a wonderful legacy."
Albertine (Irish River--Almyre, by Wild Risk) also produced French group III winner Agathe (by Manila) and stakes winner Alamo Bay (by Nureyev). Overall, Albertine is the ancestress of 21 stakes winners including European champion Cape Verdi and two-time United States grade I winner Angara.
Albertine has been buried in the Three Chimneys' broodmare cemetery next to Golden Cat, dam of 2009 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (gr. IIT) winner Pounced.
