Stravinsky (horse)  Stravinsky is an American-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from August 1998 until November 1999 he ran eight times and won three races. He showed promising form as a two-year-old and was regarded as a serious Contender, but ran disappointingly over distances of seven furlongs and one mile in early 1999. He reverted to sprint distances to record impressive wins in the July Cup and the Nunthorpe Stakes, earning the title of European Champion Sprinter. At the end of the season he was retired to stud where he has had some success as a sire of winners. Stravinsky is a powerfully built bay horse standing 15.3 hands high, with a white star and a white sock on his near foreleg. He was sired by the disqualified 2000 Guineas winner Nureyev out of the mare Fire The Groom. Apart from Stravinsky, Nureyev was the sire the winners of at least forty-five Group One/Grade I including Peintre Celebre, Spinning World, Zilzal, Fasliyev and Wolfhound. His career as a stallion has been described as "outstanding". Stravinsky's dam Fire The Groom won the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes in 1991 and was a half sister of the Haydock Sprint Cup winner Dowsing. Stravinsky was sent to the Keeneland Sales as a yearling in July 1997, where he was bought for $625,000 by the bloodstock agent Dermot “Demi” O’Byrne, acting on behalf of John Magnier and his Coolmore organisation. He was sent into training with Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle and was ridden in all of his races by Michael Kinane. Although he was trained throughout his career in Ireland, Stravinsky was sento England for his first appearance, when he ran in a maiden race at York in August. Before he arrived in for the race he had established a reputation as a potentially exceptional horse on the strength of his home performances. He tracked the leaders and, having had problems obtaining a clear run, quickened away from his rivals to record an "impressive" two length win. Despite the modest status of the race Stravinsky was briefly made favourite for the following year's 2000 Guineas at odds as short as 4/1.