Swain (92) Nashwan - Love Smitten, by Key to the Mint
The only times Irish-bred Swain finished off the board was in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-I), in 1996, when he finished fourth, and in 1997, when he finished seventh. Other than that, Swain impressed people all over the world, from Europe, to Dubai, to the United States with his consistency.
In the 1996 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), Godolphin Stables' Swain finished third behind Pilsudski and Singspiel. He raced only four times in 1997, including his unfortunate loss in the Arc, but won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ENG-I) and just missed by a head in the Princess of Wales' Stakes (ENG-II), both at 1 1/2 miles. A layoff from early October to late March idd nothing to dull the horse considered one of the best in Europe. Swain's first start of the season as a 6-year-old, was in the Dubai World Cup at 1 1/14 miles in the desert of the United Arab Emirates. Facing the best the world had to offer, he closed on a razor sharp Silver Charm, who was coming off two consecutive stakes victories at Santa Anita. Swain lost by a nose, but gained added respect for his forceful challenge. Returning to England, Swain finished second in the 1 1/2 mile Coronation Cup (ENG-I) when trainer Saeed Bin Surror switched jockeys to Frankie Dettori. In perhaps a foreshadowing of future events, Swain drifted out after gaining the lead in the last quarter, and ended up losing by 1 1/4 lengths. In his next race under Dettori, Swain finished third in the 1 1/2 mile Hardwicke Stakes (ENG-I) at Ascot, losing by two lengths after getting the lead. He put it together for the whole 1 1/2 miles in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, winning that prestigious event for the second consecutive year. He then shortened up for the Irish Champion Stakes (IRE-I) at 1 1/4 miles in his native Ireland on September 12.
Swain had already proven he could run on dirt in Dubai, and now proven he could win at 1 1/4 miles. He came to the United States for another try at the Breeders' Cup -- this time in the Classic (gr. I). He entered the race against arguably the toughest field the Classic has ever gathered, with Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Silver Charm, multiple champion and likely Horse of the Year Skip Away, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winners Victory Gallop and Touch Gold, grade 1 winning 3-year-olds Coronado's Quest and Arch, the tough multiple grade 1-winning handicap horse Gentlemen, and English horse Running Stag. Swain settled into the middle of the field, as was his wont, then made a striking move that brought him within 1 1/2 lengths of Silver Charm, who had hit the lead, and Coronado's Quest, who was moving alongside the gray. Suddenly, Swain started to drift away, slashing his tail while Dettori continued to whip him left-handed. As Swain lost ground by running a course much closer to the grandstand rail than Coronado's Quest was to the inside rail, Gary Stevens aboard Silver Charm angled his mount a little to keep Swain in his sights. The resulting hole opened for Awesome Again and Victory Gallop to charge through. As the crowd roared its disbelief, Awesome Again won by three-quarters of a length over Silver Charm, with Swain getting third by a nose over Victory Gallop.
Swain retired to Shadwell Farm with earnings of $3,777,115 and a record of 22: 10-4-6.