Kingsbarns

The village of Kingsbarns lies near the eastern coast of Fife, Scotland, in an area known as the East Neuk, 6.5 miles southeast of St Andrews and 3.6 miles north of Crail. The name derives from the area being the location of the barns used to store grain before being transported to the Palace at Falkland, Fife.

Folk musician James Yorkston was brought up in Kingsbarns.

The coast around Kingsbarns is also known as a challenging surfing area.

Pitmilly, a former estate that was owned by the Moneypenny family for over seven centuries, is located about 1.5 miles from Kingsbarns on the road to St Andrews. Ruins of two mills and the Bronze Age tumulus, Pitmilly Law, are still evident. Little remains of Pitmilly House.

Amenities

An inn existed in Kingsbarns for centuries, previously offering a place of refuge for pilgrims to St Andrews Cathedral. However, the 18th-century coaching inn standing on the previously established site has reopened recently under new management

Barns Cottage in the Square is an historic building that includes the former infants' school.

Kingsbarns (horse)

Kingsbarns (foaled 20 February 2010) is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won the Racing Post Trophy in 2012 on his second career start. He is owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and is trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Background

Kingsbarns is a bay colt foaled on 20 February 2010 and bred by Ann Marie O'Brien, the wife of trainer Aidan O'Brien. Kingsbarns is the son of Epsom Derby winner and multiple Champion sire Galileo. Galileo has produced many top horses, including Cape Blanco, Frankel, Nathaniel, New Approach and Rip Van Winkle. Kingsbarns' dam, Beltisaal, is a daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Belmez.

Racing career

2012: two-year-old season

Kingsbarns did not race until October 2012, where he easily won a one mile maiden race at Navan Racecourse. Under jockey Joseph O'Brien he beat Risk Return by seven lengths. Having originally not been entered he was supplemented for the Racing Post Trophy at the cost of £17,500.

After being supplemented he was priced as big as 8/1 to win the race, but received significant support and started as the 15/8 favourite. Again ridden by O'Brien, he took the lead with over one furlong left to run. He then pulled away to win the race by one and three quarter lengths from the Richard Hannon, Sr. trained Van Der Neer, who just beat Steeler for second place. After the race Joseph O'Brien said: "He relaxed and travelled very well. I might have got to the front too soon but my momentum took me there." After his victory he was made favourite for the 2013 Epsom Derby and second favourite (behind Dawn Approach) for the 2000 Guineas. In his only two runs as a two-year-old he earned £130,831.