Fields of Omagh

Australian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1997–2023)

Fields of Omagh

Sire| Rubiton
Grandsire| Century
Dam| Finneto
Damsire| Cerreto (IRE)
Sex| Gelding
Foaled| 22 September 1997
Died| 8 June 2023 (aged 25)
Country| Australia
Colour| Bay
Breeder| Martin O'Connor
Owner| Martin O'Connor (managing partner for No Big Deal syndicate), A Cork, A Sorrell & E J LeGrand
Trainer| Peter Hayes
Tony McEvoy
David A. Hayes
Record| 45: 13-8-7
Earnings| $6,496,240
Major wins
Eclipse Stakes (2001)
Aurie's Star Handicap (2002)
John F. Feehan Stakes (2002)
W S Cox Plate (2003, 2006)
Futurity Stakes (2006)
Last updated on 9 June 2023

Fields of Omagh (22 September 1997 – 8 June 2023), also known as FOO, was an Australian champion middle distance Thoroughbred racehorse of the early-mid-2000s. He was a half-brother to the stakeswinners, King Brian (Bunbury Cup, Pinjarra Cup), Malcolm (STC Canterbury Stakes, Ajax Stakes and Yallambee Stud Stakes) and Timeless Grace (VATC WW Cockram Stakes).[1]

Fields of Omagh was trained at Lindsay Park, South Australia by Peter Hayes, Tony McEvoy and David Hayes. "FOO", as he was affectionately dubbed by fans and the media, won seven races in succession in the early part of his career. Nursed back from two serious injuries by Campbell Baker, head veterinary surgeon for Lindsay Park, the horse gained a reputation as a Moonee Valley specialist. He was also noted for his gallant runners-up behind Northerly in the 2002 Caulfield Cup. He won the Valley's prestigious Cox Plate for the first time in 2003, and, in a record-equalling fifth attempt, created history in becoming the race's oldest winner, as a nine-year-old, in 2006. In between these wins, he was second to Savabeel, and third behind Makybe Diva. FOO also won the 2006 Group One Futurity Stakes.[2] FOO campaigned at or near the highest level for six years in a row and raced against a number of champions including Makybe Diva, Sunline, Northerly, Lonhro and El Segundo.

During his racing career he travelled to Japan, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.[3]

Fields of Omagh was retired after his second Cox Plate win, and then resided at Living Legends, the International Home of Rest for Champion Horses located in Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale, Victoria, Australia.

A book on the life of Fields of Omagh and his 18 owners was published in September 2007.

Fields of Omagh died on 8 June 2023, at the age of 25.[4]

## Race record

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2000-01 season as a three-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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4th | 27 August 2000 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Bendigo | NA | 1300 m | 56.5 | S. Baster | 1st – Ming's Finale
3rd | 12 September 2000 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Ballarat | NA | 1400 m | 54.5 | S. Baster | 1st – Bold Laird
10th | 23 September 2000 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Geelong | NA | 1535 m | 52 | G. Hoobin | 1st – Zephyr Breeze
3rd | 31 January 2001 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Ballarat | NA | 1200 m | 56.5 | K. McEvoy | 1st – King of Roses
2nd | 17 February 2001 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Bendigo | NA | 1400 m | 56.5 | L. Beer | 1st – Dual Action
Won | 4 March 2001 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Sandown | NA | 1400 m | 52 | G. Childs | 2nd – Flash Line
4th | 16 April 2001 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Caulfield | NA | 1400 m | 52.5 | G. Childs | 1st – De Gaulle Lane
Won | 9 May 2001 | 3yo Hcp Restricted | Sandown | NA | 1400 m | 55.5 | D. Gauci | 2nd – Mr Magistrate
2001-02 season as a four-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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Won | 14 September 2001 | No Age Hcp Restricted | Kyneton | NA | 1200 m | 54 | G. Childs | 2nd – Mighty Amber
Won | 13 October 2001 | No Age Hcp Restricted | Cheltenham | NA | 1350 m | 52 | S. Price | 2nd – All Cheer
Won | 20 October 2001 | Thomas Elder Stakes | Victoria Park | LR | 1600 m | 52.5 | S. Price | 2nd – Moet Now
Won | 6 November 2001 | Hong Kong Jockey Club Plate | Flemington | LR | 1800 m | 53 | G. Childs | 2nd – Thong Classic
Won | 24 November 2001 | Eclipse Stakes | Sandown | G3 | 2119 m | 55.5 | G. Childs | 2nd – Thong Classic
2002-03 season as a five-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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Won | 11 August 2002 | Aurie's Star Handicap | Flemington | NA | 1200 m | 58.5 | G. Childs | 2nd – Pindi Ridge
2nd | 31 August 2002 | Memsie Stakes | Caulfield | G2 | 1410 m | 58 | G. Childs | 1st – Magical Miss
Won | 14 September 2002 | Feehan Stakes | Moonee Valley | G2 | 1600 m | 58 | D. Oliver | 2nd – Magical Miss
3rd | 5 October 2002 | Turnbull Stakes | Flemington | G2 | 2000 m | 59 | D. Oliver | 1st – Northerly
2nd | 19 October 2002 | Caulfield Cup | Caulfield | G1 | 2400 m | 53.5 | D. Oliver | 1st – Northerly
5th | 26 October 2002 | Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | G1 | 2040 m | 58 | D. Oliver | 1st – Northerly
2nd | 8 February 2003 | C F Orr Stakes | Caulfield | G1 | 1400 m | 58 | G. Childs | 1st – Yell
2nd | 22 February 2003 | St George Stakes | Caulfield | G2 | 1800 m | 58 | G. Childs | 1st – Northerly
5th | 10 March 2003 | Australian Cup | Flemington | G1 | 2000 m | 58 | G. Childs | 1st – Northerly
2003-04 season as a six-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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18th | 21 September 2003 | Dubai Club Cup | Caulfield | G1 | 1400 m | 57 | K. McEvoy | 1st – Exceed and Excel
2nd | 11 October 2003 | Toorak Handicap | Caulfield | G1 | 1600 m | 57 | S. King | 1st – Roman Arch
Won | 25 October 2003 | Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | G1 | 2040 m | 58 | S. King | 2nd – Defier
3rd | 1 November 2003 | Mackinnon Stakes | Flemington | G1 | 2000 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Casual Pass
18th | 30 November 2003 | Japan Cup | Tokyo | G1 | 2400 m | 57 | S. King | 1st – Tap Dance City
11th | 14 December 2003 | Hong Kong Vase | Sha Tin | G1 | 2400 m | 57 | S. King | 1st – Vallee Enchantee
2004-05 season as a seven-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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5th | 28 August 2004 | Memsie Stakes | Caulfield | G2 | 1400 m | 58 | V. Hall | 1st – Regal Roller
4th | 11 September 2004 | Feehan Stakes | Moonee Valley | G2 | 1600 m | 58 | G. Childs | 1st – Delzao
Won | 2 October 2004 | Penny Edition Stakes | Victoria Park | LR | 1450 m | 58 | S. Price | 2nd – Fairessa
2nd | 23 October 2004 | Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | G1 | 2040 m | 58 | D. Nikolic | 1st – Savabeel
12th | 12 December 2004 | Hong Kong Cup | Sha Tin | G1 | 2000 m | 57 | D. Nikolic | 1st – Alexander Goldrun
2005-06 season as an eight-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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7th | 20 August 2005 | Liston Stakes | Caulfield | G2 | 1400 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Lad of the Manor
3rd | 10 September 2005 | Feehan Stakes | Moonee Valley | G2 | 1600 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Lad of the Manor
2nd | 8 October 2005 | Caulfield Stakes | Caulfield | G1 | 2000 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – El Segundo
3rd | 22 October 2005 | Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | G1 | 2040 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Makybe Diva
8th | 29 October 2005 | Mackinnon Stakes | Flemington | G1 | 2000 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Lad of the Manor
3rd | 11 February 2006 | C F Orr Stakes | Caulfield | G1 | 1400 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Perfect Promise
Won | 4 March 2006 | Futurity Stakes | Caulfield | G1 | 1600 m | 58 | S. King | 2nd – Red Dazzler
7th | 25 March 2006 | Dubai Duty Free Stakes | Nad Al Sheba | G1 | 1800 m | 57 | S. King | 1st – David Junior
2006-07 season as a nine-year-old  Result | Date | Race | Venue | Group | Distance | Weight (kg) | Jockey | Winner/2nd

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10th | 2 September 2006 | Memsie Stakes | Caulfield | G2 | 1400 m | 58 | C. Williams | 1st – El Segundo
5th | 16 September 2006 | Feehan Stakes | Moonee Valley | G2 | 1600 m | 58 | S. King | 1st – Lad of the Manor
4th | 14 October 2006 | Caulfield Stakes | Caulfield | G1 | 2000 m | 58 | C. Williams | 1st – Casual Pass
Won | 28 October 2006 | Cox Plate | Moonee Valley | G1 | 2040 m | 58 | C. Williams | 2nd – El Segundo

## Pedigree

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Pedigree of Fields of Omagh (Aus)  Sire
Rubiton (Aus)
1983  | Century (Aus)
1969  | Better Boy (Ire)
1951  | My Babu (Fr)

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Better So (GB)
Royal Suite (Aus)
1960  | Rego (Ire)
Baraganda (Aus)
Ruby (Aus)
1977  | Seventh Hussar (Fr)
1966  | Queen's Hussar (GB)
Ann Boleyn (GB)
Briars Toddy (Aus)
1971  | Todman (Aus)
St Auriga (Aus)
Dam
Finneto (Aus)
1981  | Cerreto (Ire)
1970  | Claude (Ity)
1964  | Hornbeam (GB)
Aigue-Vive (Fr)
Crenelle (GB)
1960  | Crepello (GB)
Mulberry Harbour (GB)
Fold (Aus)
1966  | Lupus (GB)
1961  | Hugh Lupus (Fr)
Monarchia (GB)
Shady Lea (Aus)
1958  | Meadow Mist (GB)
Amnesia (Aus)

## See also

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* List of millionaire racehorses in Australia

## References

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1. ^ Kristen Manning (2007),Fields Of Omagh, Melbourne Books, Melbourne
2. ^ 2006 Futurity result
3. ^ ASB – Fields of Omagh Retrieved on 12 July 2009
4. ^ Two-time Cox Plate winner Fields of Omagh passes away

* Fields of Omagh website
* Fields of Omagh at the park's opening

## External links

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* Fields Of Omagh's pedigree and partial racing stats
* Fields of Omagh profile of a champion