and Siberian Express was transferred to the stable of Roger Wojtowiez. The change brought no improvement as, on his final appearance of the season, he finished last of the ten runners behind Procida in the Prix de la Forêt in October. 1985: four-year-old season Siberian Express switched stables once again as a four-year-old, when he was trained by George Mikhalides. After finishing third on his seasonal debut he ran fifth, three lengths behind the filly Vilikaia in the Prix de la Porte Maillot over 1400 metres at Longchamp in June. Assessment In the International Classification for 1983, Siberian Express was rated the fifth-best two-year-old in Europe behind El Gran Senor, Rainbow Quest, Lear Fan and the Prix de Condé winner Long Mick. The independent Timeform organisation gave him a rating of 122, nine pounds below their top-rated two-year-old El Gran Senor. In the following year, Siberian Express was rated eighteen pounds behind El Gran Senor, and eleven pounds behind Darshaan who was the highest-rated French-trained three-year-old. Timeform were less harsh, placing him eleven pounds behind their Horse of the Year El Gran Senor with a rating of 125. His Timeform rating deteriorated to 105 in 1985. Stud record Siberian Express was retired from racing in 1985 and began his stud career in 1986 at the Derisley Wood stud near Newmarket, Suffolk at a fee of £9000. By far the best of his progeny was In Excess, who showed moderate form in Europe before excelling in the United States where his wins included the Woodward Stakes, Whitney Stakes, Metropolitan Mile and Suburban Handicap. In Excesss also sired the Santa Anita Derby winner Indian Charlie. The rest of Siberian Express's stud record was unremarkable, but he sired a few other good winners including Ancestral Dancer (Premio Regina Elena), Green's Bid (Woodcote Stakes) and Current Express (EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final). Pedigree References 1981 racehorse births 1996 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in Kentucky Racehorses trained in France Thoroughbred family 13-c