Nostalgic Horse

A Pedigree Piece on the Star Filly as She Readies Herself for a Fall Campaign.

by Don Coleman

Torpenhow is a small town in England’s Cumbria region. It’s a usual sort of place. There is a 12th century church there, but a lot of English towns and villages have 12th century churches. There

are small businesses, schools, public buildings, streets, homes, and the rest that go into making up a town. It is populated by mostly nice average folks. They go about their various activities just like everyone else in the world. Unknown to most of the citizens of Torpenhow, however, is the fact that one of the major tap root mares in Thoroughbred breeding is named after their home.

By Trenton’s son Torpoint, who was known as a router and influence for that specialty, Torpenhow was out of Papola by Tyrant. A good, but not extremely exciting pedigree…even in 1910 when she was foaled. On the track she went out seven times without a win. Her breeder was the American born, British raised, W. M. G. Singer…son of the sewing machine industrialist Isaac Singer. Among his better racehorses were 2000 Guineas winner Orwell and the St. Leger champion Challacombe. In the long run and wider picture of things, though, it is assured that he will be best remembered for having bred this particular mare…the ancestress of Nijinsky II and Rags to Riches.

Exported to America, after her racing days, Torpenhow produced eight foals. Torque, by Collar, was the only offspring of Torpenhow that didn’t originate from either the Domino or Ben Brush sirelines. Her tail male association was via St. Simon. When bred to High Cloud, a son of the extremely inbred Domino horse High Time (by Ultimus from Noonday by Domino) out of Umbra by Ben Brush, Torque foaled the Pimlico Oaks (Black Eyed Susan Stakes these days) winner Altitude. Five of Torpenhow’s foals (Dare Say by Cudgel by Broomstick by Ben Brush, How High by High Time, On Top by Ultimus, Very High by High Time, and Lofty by High Time) were pretty much mediocre in all respects. The two remaining members of Torpenhow’s brood were Summit by Ultimus and Herd Girl by Colin…whose influences are undeniable.

The use of Domino, Fair Play, and Ben Brush bloodlines as male outcrosses for the families of imported mares was a standard practice in the early years of the last century. In the case of Domino the concept was established by J. R. Keene’s Castleton Stud manager Foxhall Daingerfield. He relied on this philosophy with the sort of success that was inspiring enough to be copied by other breeders. (E.R.Bradley set about on a similar program at his Idle Hour Stock Farm…via La Troienne and the Black Toney horses…as an example). Castleton was saturated with Domino’s bloodline, and Daingerfield turned to foreign strains to buffer the situation. The predominance of Domino line horses, in those years, matched the present day reign of Northern Dancer stallions in the current stallion cadre. In the extreme…horses like High Time, Ultimus, and others were inbred so closely to Domino that an outcross of this nature was the only option left to many breeders. The industry had relied on the line so heavily that it was being crushed by it’s success. They were finding themselves too limited in possible matings for their stallions and stallion prospects. The influx of English and European mares, during the period, was a reaction to this need for new blood to sustain the American lines. It really wasn’t a new concept…the same sort of problems had arose in the era of Lexington…and been solved in a similiar manner.

Summit’s sire, Ultimus, was a prime example of how closely Domino was represented in some of the leading sires of those days. He was by Commando by Domino out of Running Stream by Domino. The result of that mating was a quick but unsound horse…whose progeny ranged the spectrum from superior racehorses to weak legged failures…depending, a good deal, on the nature of the mares he was mated with.
Summit was not a top class racemare. In the stud, however, she sets at the beginnings of one of the finest producing tap roots in Thoroughbred history. Among her daughters were Maharanee, by Brown Prince, who foaled the Alabama Stakes winner Hindu Queen and the good handicapper Clarify; Schuylerville Stakes and Oakland Handicap heroine Uppermost, by Cohort, the dam of Queen’s Plate and Prince of Wales Stakes victor Uttermost, Maple Leaf Stakes winner Ascendant, and Winnipeg Futurity winner Sayonara; Apogee, by Pharamond II; and Firetop, by Man O’War.

Apogee was a product of Hal Price Headley’s breeding program. Raced successfully as a two year old she won the Arlington Lassie, Old Colony, and Fashion Stakes…along with placings behind the colts in the Arlington Futurity, Hyde Park, and Juvenile Stakes. Her record on the track was brilliant as long as it lasted, but was not extended far into her third season. In the stud she lived up to her stakes winning promise, by producing Carter Handicap, Juvenile Stakes, and National Stallion Stakes winner Flood Town; Churchill Downs Debutante Stakes winner Acoma…the ancestress of Jim Dandy Stakes winner Cheriepe and Santa Monica Handicap winner Swiss Roll; Perigee…the grand dam of Oakland, Spy Song, Palos Verdes, Santa Barbara, Coronado, Midwest, and Myrtlewood Handicaps winner Golden Notes; and Sofarsogood…the dam of G1 Sussex Stakes winner Ace of Aces, Discovery Handicap winner Burd Alive, National Stallion Stakes winner Great Shakes, $500,000+ earner Loyal Pal’s dam Sailfast, and Lady of Elegance…the source of Oak Tree Breeders Cup Mile winner Designed For Luck; Fantasy, Silver Belles, and Miss America Stakes winner Fantastic Look; and Fantastic Ways…the dam of three stakes horses.

Firetop, by Man O’War, was foaled in 1928. Of her progeny three have ranked among the better mares of the last century. Columbiana, Snow Flame, and Flaming Top.

Columbiana, sired by Gallant Fox’s half brother Petee Wrack, initially gained her fame by winning the Widener Challenge Cup, but went on to produce Ocean Wave (Blue Grass Stakes) and Free America. The latter won the George Woolf Memorial and Churchill Downs Handicaps, but was best known as the sire of good solid workman like stakes horses…such as American Comet, Queen America, and Correlation.

Snow Flame, by Blenheim II, was a disappointment on the race track. She won at two, but never was up to stakes class. Her worth was in the breeding shed. In that role she provided the stakes placed Fluoresee, by Double Jay, who became the ancestress of Skip Trial…winner of the Haskell Invitational, Pennsylvania Derby, Ohio Derby, Pegasus Handicap, Paterson Handicap, Gulfstream Park Handicp, Massachusetts Handicap, John B. Campbell Handicap, Fort Lauderdale Handicap, and Olympic Handicap, Tactical Cat…winner of the Hollywood Futurity and Tremont Stakes, and Promising Native…winner of the Suwannee River and Kentucky Cardinal Handicaps; Crafty Jo who provided the Lawrence Realization Stakes winner Zinov and Great American Stakes victor Decimator to Snow Flame’s tally sheet; and Hard Woman the grand-dam of $400,000+ earner Runaway Stream.

Standing out in this and any other group of broodmares, it was Flaming Top, however, that brought Summit’s family into the real center of North American breeding and bloodlines. A daughter of the Triple Crown winner Omaha, she had nine foals. Four of these were notable: Doubledogdare, Illuminable, Top Double, and Flaring Top.

Bred and owned by Claiborne Farm, Doubledogdare was by Double Jay. A brilliant racehorse, she took the Alcibides, Coleen, National Stallion, Matron, Ashland, Coronet, and Spinster Stakes…along with the Falls City Handicap. She was named the champion two and three year old filly of her crop. As a broodmare, however, she did not perform on the same level…never really foaling anything approaching her own merits. Illuminable, by Sun Again, was a low level stakes horse…winning only the Spalding Lowe Jenkins Handicap as a best effort…but went on to sire the Canadian champion Our Sidar…winner of the Prince of Wales Stakes, Durham Cup Handicap, Kingarvie Handicap, and Seagram Cup. Top Double ran in good company, but was not a major contender…winning the Escondido Handicap as his single best claim to fame.

Flaring Top, by Menow, was another who lacked real racing credentials. As a matron, though, she shined. Of her eleven foals there are seven that were above the average: Gleam, Flaming Wind, Flashing Top, Flaming Victress, Friendly Relations, Top Tourn, and Flaming Page.

Gleam, by Tournoi, became the grand-dam of Remsen Stakes winner Royal Ski and Allez Milord…winner of the Preis Von Europa and Gordon Stakes. Flashing Wind was the ancestress of Mac’s Trip (Richmond, Coventry, and Phoenix Stakes) and An Empress (Honeymoon Breeders Cup Handicap). Flashing Top produced the stakes horse Police Car. Flaming Victress provided one stakes horse for the family…Canadian Derby winner All for Victory and was the grand dam of Phoenix Factor and Wasatch. Friendly Relations was the source of Be Cool, Biding Time, and the Australian S.A.J.C. Goodwood Handicap winner Bellzevir. Top Tourn ranks as the second best racehorse provided by Flaring Top…having won the Inferno Handicap, Fort Erie Handicap, and Jacques Cartier Stakes. Then there was Flaming Page.

Sired by Bull Page, Flaming Page raced in the highest echelons, and came away as a Canadian champion…taking the Canadian Oaks and her homeland’s prime event…the Queen’s Plate. Despite that reputation, however, it was from the quality of her foals that she gained the most acclaim. She only produced three, but that was enough to establish her as one of Torpenhow’s primary descendants. They were an outstanding trio…Minsky, Nijinsky II, and Fleur.

Minsky won the Railway, Gladness, Tetrarch, and Beresford Stakes in Ireland, then returned to North America and took the Durham Cup in Canada and several major placings in the U.S.A. He was the Irish champion two year old, and went to stud with a sound set of credentials…though his success was less than expected.

Nijinsky II, by Northern Dancer, deserves to be considered one of the finest racehorses ever foaled on this contintent. Bred by E. P. Taylor, at his Canadian branch of Windfields Farms, he was sold for $84,000 to Charles Englehard as a yearling. Shipped to Ireland and the care of trainer Vincent O’Brien, his first start came in a 6 furlong maiden race at The Curragh in 1969…which he claimed without much effort. In August of 1969 he beat Decies in the Railway Stakes, and followed it up with a 3 length romp in the Anglesey Stakes two weeks later. After again taking the measure of Decies, in the 1600 meters Beresford Stakes, he was sent to England and there added the Dewhurst Stakes to his past performances…beating out Recalled in another 3 length romp.

Set aside, after the Dewhurst, his initial start of 1970 came in the 7 furlong Gladness Stakes, back at The Curragh in Ireland. Following an impressive win there, he was made the 4 to 1 favorite for the English 2000 Guineas…where he defeated Yellow God with no apparent stress. The French colt Gyr was made the favorite for the Epsom Derby, but Nijinsky II led him home by 2 ½ lengths…with Stintino and Sassafras in both of their wakes. Returned to Ireland, he added the Irish Sweeps Derby to his record, and then was sent back to England where he won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes by two lengths from older horses. In the 14 furlong St. Leger Stakes, in September, he ended a 35 year old hiatus, by taking that race and gaining the English Triple Crown. It was his last victory. He was obviously below par in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Champion Stakes…where he lost to Sassafras and the near do well Lorenzaccio. After those defeats Englhard syndicated his colt for $5,400,000 and sent him off to Claiborne Farm in Kentucky. The likes of Ile de Bourbon, Golden Fleece, Caucasus, Whiskey Road (the Australian based sire of Strawberry Road), King’s Lake, and Green Dancer…just to touch on his better representatives…were the results of his days at stud. A bout with Laminitis ended his life, and he is buried at Claiborne.

Sired by the good racehorse and sire Victoria Park, Fleur might be considered the poor relation when examining the track side records of Minsky and Nijinsky II. She was certainly not a classy champion, and in fact was something less than special…never approaching stakes winning capabilities. Still it wasn’t that calling that placed her high on the roster of Summit’s branch of this family. Her value was as a producer. Highlighting that calling, she was the dam of the leading sire Far North, the good racehorse and sire Pilgrim, and The Minstrel.

Bred by E. P. Taylor, like Nijinsky II, The Minstrel was another son of Northern Dancer. Sold, as a yearling, as were most of the Taylor horses, he came into the hands of Robert Sangster. And, like Nijinsky II, he was shipped to Ireland and the stables of Vincent O’Brien. His racing days began in much the same way as Nijinsky II’s had as well. He won the Larkspur and Dewhurst Stakes at two. At three he took the Ascot 2000 Guineas Trial, the Epsom Derby, Irish Sweeps Derby, and concluded his racing days with a win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes…adding about as much credit to his dam’s family as any one individual possibly could. He stood some years at the Maryland branch of Windfields, alongside his sire. He met with some…but not great…success as a stallion. Heading the list of his get were Treizieme, L’Emigrant, Palace Music (the sire of Cigar), and Minstrella. After the death of E. P. Taylor, and the dispersal of Windfields Maryland, The Minstrel was sent to Overbrook Farm in 1990…where he ended his days and is buried.

The Summit branch of Torpenhow’s family has been in something of the doldrums the past few years. There is the possibility that it has peaked and may remain in the shadows for the time being. The numbers it provided were never great to begin with, and this may add to it’s decline. Still there remains a group of her descendants available to be called upon. It is certainly not a matter of being defunct, but instead an issue of the right mare and breeder being needed to bring some life back into this clan.

Herd Girl was by Colin, and proved to be a far sturdier individual than her sire…who was raced lightly…even if brilliantly. He was plagued by unsoundness throughout his short career on the track and retired early after a classic winning season at three. She started 44 times and came away the winner on 7 occasions…though never in the highest company. Colin stood 23 seasons at stud…in England and finally in Virginia…but was responsible for only 81 foals. Of that number, however, 14% were stakes winners. Being a member of this small group, of Colin’s progeny, Herd Girl was a treasured commodity…with or without a stakes filled resume. During her time as a broodmare she produced 10 foals: Fair Orb by Royal Canopy, Jack O’Hearts by Sir Martin, Jingoist by American Flag, Prince Carmen by Carlaris, Rough Boy by Carlaris, Shepherdess by Royal Canopy, Our Nancy by Royal Minstrel, Hour by Hour by Hourless, Clear Sky by Sir Barton, and Late Date by Hourless. Of this group Clear Sky, Hour by Hour, Our Nancy, and Late Date are worth noting.

Clear Sky, by Sir Barton, is mentioned mainly for his rugged nature. He won the Connaught Cup Handicap in Canada…as well as 28 other races…from a total of 150 starts. He wasn’t a spectacular racehorse by any means…but is an example of the type of hardy individual that most of Herd Girl’s progeny proved to be. Hour by Hour, by Hourless, didn’t gather much attention from her racetrack performances. She was sired by a Belmont Stakes winner out of the daughter of another Belmont Stakes winner, but seems to have been held in regard mostly for her speed…having eventually been assigned the AQHA number TO197688 and bred, occasionally, to horses like Three Bars…one of the main Thoroughbred influences on the Quarter Horse breed. Matings with the Thoroughbred sire Hygro, by Epinard, produced the daughter Bunny Hallow and son Hygrohour. Bunny Hallow was not a stakes contender, but did provide two individuals that were placed in some esteem out on the secondary racing circuits at Seattle’s Longacres and Denver’s old Centennial Park…Doctrinaire, by Doctrine, won the Longacres Mile and Seattle Handicap…and Monroe Doc, by Doctrine, took the Centennial Derby and Denver Handicap. Hygrohour claimed the Bowie Kindergarten and Myles Standish Stakes. Our Nancy was never a major contender at the races either…nor were her offspring. She was the grand-dam of Excuses, however, who started 116 times…won 17 times…and earned the laurels in the Hilltop Handicap. Not exactly the stuff of fame and fortune…but another example of the solid character of Herd Girl’s tribe. These horses…Clear Sky, Our Nancy, and Hour by Hour…were not of great importance to the history of Herd Girl’s later influence. Instead they represent the kind of generally good, but non superior, horses that she seemed prone to dispense before and after the arrival of Late Date…who was a surprise of sorts to all concerned.

Bred by Audley Farm, in Virginia, Late Date was campaigned under the colors of Brentwood Stable. Another iron horse from Herd Girl, she started 112 times and won on 21occasions. Unlike her siblings, however, she was a champion. In the course of her racing career she won the Illinois Oaks, Latonia Oaks, Glen Llyns Stakes, Enquirer Handicap, Honeyway Handicap, Independence Handicap, Latonia Inaugural Handicap, Royal Palm Handicap, and Washington Park Championship Handicap…as well as the title of Champion Handicap Mare of 1935. It was an impressive bit of racing talent, but was to be overshadowed by her record as a matron. At the time of her retirement it was expected that she would prove a worthy addition to any broodmare band, but it is doubtful that it was even suspected how influential she would prove to be on the breed as a whole. Six of her progeny either raced to prominence or were destined to success in the breeding shed.

War Date, by War Admiral, made 48 trips to the post and won 14 times…in high class company. Her wins included the Arlington Matron, Modesty, Ladies, Princess Doreen, and Beldame Handicaps…and ranking among the best of her generation. Her total earning reached $139,755 in an era when $100,000 was a high water mark for any racehorse. Her record, as a broodmare, was not quite as good. The best of her offspring was Jet’s Date, by Jet Pilot, who placed in the Futurity Stakes.

Beau Busher, by Mr. Busher, was an imposing sort that did well on both the track and in the stud. From 48 starts he claimed 8 wins and numerous placings. Racing for Sunnyside Stable he accounted for the Beau Brummel Stakes, San Fernando Stakes, Governor’s Handicap, and Oakland Handicap. Never a greatly supported stallion, he nonetheless managed to sire a fair number of stakes horses, and was noted for the soundness in his foals.

Latent, by Thundering, wasn’t up to stakes standards, but did win 21 or her 130 starts, and went on to a fair tally as the dam of Miracle Hill and Miss Miracle. By Hillsborough, Miracle Hill won the Cradle Stakes, New Orleans Handicap, West Virginia Derby, A.B. Letellier Memorial Handicap, Phoenix Handicap, Ben Ali Handicap, and Beau Prince Stakes. Sired by King Hairan, Miss Miracle was the ancestress of the stakes horses Mistong (Fall City Handicap, Ohio Valley Stakes, Handy Mandy Handicap, and Marigold Stakes), Westport Native (Vagrancy and Grey Flight Handicaps), and Prince Westport (Saranac and Long Branch Stakes).

Frolic, by Whirlaway, was another that didn’t manage any high regard as a racehorse. She, still, was of use as a producer. Three of her foals were above the run of the mill. Joyously, by John’s Joy, earned bragging rights with a win in the Gulfstream Park Dinner Stakes. Narola, by Nashua, placed in the Gardenia and Black Eyed Susan Stakes, and later dropped $347,520 earner Northern Gold. Sailor Frolic, by Cap Size, won the Fair Grounds Debutante Stakes.

Elope, by Heliopolis, from what I can ascertain was unraced, but was the dam of Ye Cats. By Mr. Busher, Ye Cats placed in the Arlington Washington Lassie Stakes and Princess Pat Stakes, and was the dam of Stephen’s Grad…who won the Melaleuca Stakes.

The above five would have furnished any mare with substantial credentials as a success. As with Summit and Herd Girl, though, it was through one outstanding producer that Late Date’s place in the stud book is guaranteed to be well insured.

Stolen Hour, by Mr. Busher, was bred and raced by Philip Connors. A fair performer, she started 38 times in a racing career highlighted by a second in the Cherry Blossom Stakes and thirds in both the Colonial and Molly Pitcher Handicaps. Once retired she established herself in good standing with the production of Nashua’s son Journalist…winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. She would provide a number of other offspring, but it would be via her two daughters Reckless Driver and Best in Show that she would push Torpenhow’s family into the international regard it maintains today.

Reckless Driver, by Traffic Judge, is currently the number two horse from this last named pair…though she does have several daughters and grand-daughters that could cause a shift in her position. She ran third in the Mermaid Stakes, and was considered a reliable performer on the track. Mildly prolific as a broodmare, she was the ancestress of $200,000 + earner La Bonita, Cranwood Special and Cloverleaf Handicap winner Greenbriar, Schuylkill, Barn Swallow, Laughing Gull, and Bourbonettes Stakes winner Pretty Sham…and the exceptional Aussie racehorse Tolanda…winner of the VATC Mannerism, VRC Devon Park Stud, VRC Hardy Bros Prelude, VRC Let’s Elope, and VATC Summoned Stakes.
A full sister to Reckless Driver, Best in Show has demonstrated the fact that she is the prime mover in this family’s current successes. A winner at two and three, her major trackside victory came in the Comely Stakes…but that would pale in comparison to her record as one of America’s great “Blue Hen” broodmares and the title of Broodmare of the Year in 1982. The dam of 17 foals…her offspring have journeyed far and wide…producing champions in as far flung places as Ireland and Japan. The best of her produce have shown themselves to be:

Malinowski, by Sir Ivor. A champion two year old, in Ireland, he won the Craven Stakes and placed in the Dewhurst Stakes. Though not a leader in his calling as a sire, he has gotten a number of capable animals.

Gielgud, a full brother to Malinowski, captured the Champagne Stakes in England, and was, also, a capable sire.

And then there are the daughters: Sex Appeal, Show Lady, Minnie Hauk, Monroe, and Blush With Pride…all major contributors and successes to a degree.

Sex Appeal, by Buckpasser, was never raced. Her merits were found to be in the breeding shed…where she provided 16 foals. El Gran Senor, by Northern Dancer, was the best of this group…winning the English 2000 Guineas, Irish Sweeps Derby, and Dewhurst Stakes, before retiring to a stud career that gave us Belmez, Senor Thomas, Lit de Justice, Rodrigo de Triano, and others. Another son of Northern Dancer, Try My Best, was named the English and Irish Champion Two Year Old…after victories in the Dewhurst and Larkspur Stakes…and was another successful sire. Although it appears that the best of Sex Appeal’s offspring were males, she did provide a number of successful distaffers as well. Golden Oriole, by Northern Dancer, was the dam of Beresford Stakes winner Castle Gandolfo, and the granddam of Japanese champion Shirokita Cross. Bella Senora, by Northern Dancer, established herself via two stakes winning sons…D’Arros and Napoli…and the grandson Domedriver…winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Russian Ballet, by Nijinsky II, was placed at two in Ireland, and later dropped the Irish champion three year old colt Dr. Johnson…winner of the Dublin Silver and Ballycullen Stakes…and placed second in the Irish Derby. Carillon Miss produced the Italian champion two year old Blu Air Force. Solar, by Halo, was something of a special commodity among Sex Appeal’s female progeny…she was an above average racemare. Among her wins were the Railway and Park Stakes in Ireland. As a matron she became the ancestress of the fine old English sprinter Bahamian Pirate…winner of the Nunthrope Stakes and many times placed in a career that saw him still racing at 11 years old, Jim Dandy and Dwyer Stakes winner Strong Hope, Rose Bowl Stakes winner Angelina Ballerina, Matron Stakes victress Lady Paloma, and several others. Although Sex Appeal’s major representatives have been males, it isn’t out of the question that she may advance the Herd Girl branch of Torpenhow’s family in the future. There are several of her female descendants still available and up to the task. Currently, though, her tap root is somewhat on the decline…at least in comparison to other members of the family.

Show Lady, by Sir Ivor, was unraced, like a number of Best in Show’s daughters. As a broodmare her reputation has become about as international as possible. Her son Great Regent raced in Canada, with a win in the Cup and Saucer Stakes, and was then exported to Chile as a potential sire. Among her descendants have been the $2,000,000 earning Japanese star Toho Shinden, the fine Aussie mare Honey Ryder, Cadbury Guineas and Gloaming Stakes winner Al Maher, Blue Diamond Stakes hero Hurricane Sky, Umatilla…winner of the Karrakaatta Plate, Spring Champion Stakes winner Platinum Scissors, and Redoute’s Choice. This last named horse has accomplished quite a bit down under in OZ. By Danehill out of Shantha’s Choice by Canny Lad from Dancing Show by Nijinsky II, he was an Australian Champion Three Year Old and winner of the Blue Diamond, Caulfield Guineas, C. F. Orr, Manikato, and Veulve Clicquot Stakes. Retired to stud he is the sire of 9 Grade I winners, 28 stakes horses, and was the Australian leading sire and leading juvenile sire in 2006…as well as the leading juvenile sire in 2005…from just 3 crops to face the barriers. Like Sex Appeal, though, the strength of Show Lady’s produce has mostly rested in the hands of her male descendants…a factor that often spells bad news for any mare’s future as a tap root.

Minnie Hauk, by Sir Ivor, won twice in Ireland, and was stakes placed in the Cornelscourt and C.T.B.A. Stakes…not the highest grade of competition. Her best offspring was Aviance, by Northfields, who won the Phoenix Stakes, and was named the Irish Champion Three Year Old Filly of 1985. Aviance was, also, responsible for bringing her dam into prominence via her own descendants. Among those horses have been Denon (Prix de Fontainebleau, Turf Classic International, Hollywood Derby, and Manhattan Handicap), Spinning World (Irish 2000 Guineas, Breeders’ Cup Mile, and Prix du Haras de Fresney-Le-Buffard-Jacques Le Marois), Good Journey (Alto Mile and Citation Handicap), Aldebaran (Jersey Stakes, Nassau, Metropolitan, Forego, Churchill Downs, San Carlos, and Tom Fool Handicaps), and Chimes of Freedom (Champion Two and Three Year Old Filly in England…with wins in the Cherry Hinton, Coronation, and Child Stakes)…a record that might give Minnie Hauk a boost up for future laurels as a tap root.

Monroe, by Sir Ivor, won the Ballyogan Stakes, and went on to add a number of worthies to the family…including Ile de Jinsky, Diese, Masterclass, and Xaar. The jury is still out on this one, though, since she has of yet to provide that particularly able female to carry on the family.

Blush With Pride, by Blushing Groom, was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Brown in 1979. On the race track she was a outstanding performer…winning the Kentucky Oaks, Santa Susana and Ashland Stakes, as well as the Golden Harvest Handicap. Her statistics as a broodmare have lived up to those racing kudos and surpassed them. Considering the history of the past few months, it might even be fair to say that she is the number one most highly thought of matron of this decade…a tap root source that will prevail for some years to come. Among her sons and daughters have been a wide variety of talent. Smolensk, by Danzig, won the Prix de Sandringham and Prix d’Astarte and has the possiblity of adding to the family’s strength…via her offspring…though that hasn’t happened to date. The colt Turnberry Isle, by Deputy Minister, won the Beresford Stakes. The stakes placed Maryinsky, by Sadler’s Wells, looks to be on the road to a good deal of recognition…having produced the 2007 Irish Oaks and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Peeping Fawn as her first foal. And completing this review there is Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister, winner of the Demoiselle Stakes and the dam of two Belmont Stakes winners in 2006 and 2007…Jazil and Rags to Riches…which about says it all for this particular mare and her potential worth as a major influence on the future of the breed.

It was a long road that led all the way from Torpenhow to Rags to Riches. The journey, though, seems to have been well worth the effort…for all concerned. She’s a gem and hopefully will be the jumping off point for many future journeys.