Thoroughbred Horse – Veteran
When Alydeed made his career debut in the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine in June of 1991, the word was already out; Kinghaven Farms and trainer Roger Attfield had a very good colt. Alydeed was bet down to just 2-5 by the fans for the Victoria and he strolled home by more than three lengths. It was an auspicious debut.
‘Bud’ and David Willmot, had purchased the sleek dark bay son of Shadeed from Ontario breeder Bob Anderson from the previous year’s Keeneland September yearling sale for $100,000. They elected to let the colt grow and mature following his exciting opener. The colt reappeared in March 1992, romping in an allowance race at Gulfstream Park by more than nine lengths. Two starts later, the colt powered to victory in the Derby Trial (G3) at Churchill Downs, posting a whopping 110 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form.
Alydeed earned a chance to compete against the top North American 3-year-olds in the Preakness Stakes (G1), the second jewel of the Triple Crown and he had a brilliant run, leading very late in the 1 3/16 mile race before getting caught by Pine Bluff. Canadian racing fans were excited to welcome Alydeed back to Woodbine and he didn’t disappoint, breezing to victories in the Grade 3 Marine Stakes and Plate Trial. In the Queen’s Plate, Alydeed and regular rider Craig Perret romped to a scintillating 11 1/2 length win.
A win in the second jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie seemed to be a formality but a muddy track was not to Alydeed’s liking and he was upset by Knob Hill Farms’ Benburb. That rival would defeat speedy Alydeed again in the fall in the Grade 1 Molson Million.
For Alydeed’s 4-year-old season in 1993, Attfield and Kinghaven were ready to showcase their colt’s remarkable speed in shorter races. The colt obliged, equalling the track record for 6 1/2 furlongs, 1:15.06 (112 Beyer Figure) at Gulfstream Park in an easy allowance win in March. He followed that with a hard-fought win in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland. A fabulous three-race winning streak wrapped up with a Grade 1 victory, a nose decision in the Carter Stakes at Aqueduct. Alydeed was so close to doubling up Grade 1’s when he finished a close third in the prestigious Met Mile after cutting out sizzling pace fractions. Alydeed was retired at the end of 1993 with nine wins in 18 races and earnings of $930,689. He entered stud at Windfields Farm for the 1994 breeding season and sired champion Primaly, Grade 1 winner Hedonist and dozens of other stakes horses. He recently stood at stud at Peaceful Valley Farm in Alberta before his passing a few years ago.
Alydeed’s influence has continued through his daughters who have produced more than 20 stakes winners currently including millionaires Bound for Nowhere and War Dancer.
Alydeed now joins his owners, ‘Bud’ and David Willmot, his trainer, Roger Attfield, and breeder Robert Anderson, as an Honoured Member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.