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Background Check: Frizette

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Belmont's GI Frizette S., a race with a tremendous amount of repercussion on the sport.

The 1905 mare Frizette, for whom this 2-year-old filly race is named, may have been just a minor sprint stakes winner, but she was an absolute giant in the breeding shed. A foundation mare in both the U.S. and France, Frizette's descendants through her daughters include one of yesteryear's top French sires, Tourbillon (Fr), and modern U.S. stalwarts Mr. Prospector and Seattle Slew. Among the long list of top performers tracing to her are stars as varied as Dr. Fager and Dahlia, and many, many more.

How fitting then that among the 74 previous winners of the Frizette, which was inaugurated in 1945, a number would become breed-shaping broodmares in their own right.

Some of the Frizette winners who belong on this list were previously featured in our “Background Checks” for the GI Alabama S., GI Test S., and/or GIII Schuylerville S.; please see those earlier profiles for notes on Phipps homebreds Numbered Account and Heavenly Prize and the Florida-bred Meadow Star.

Following are the some of the other most important Frizette winners by what impact they have had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Dreaming of Julia (2010, A.P. Indy–Dream Rush, by Wild Rush): This Stonestreet homebred's only foal to make it to the races thus far is Malathaat, last year's champion 3-year-old filly after her 2021 wins included the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Alabama S., and the GI Ashland S. She was last seen taking Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S. Sept. 27.

Preach (1989, Mr. Prospector–Narrate, by Honest Pleasure): A fourth-generation Claiborne homebred, Preach's indelible mark on the breed will forever be through her first foal, fellow Claiborne homebred and MGSW Pulpit. Not only did he have a number of top runners as a stallion, but he's been a noted sire of sires, most especially due to his exceptional multiple-leading sire son Tapit.

Personal Ensign (1984, Private Account–Grecian Banner, by Hoist the Flag): A horse can't do any more than this grand girl did. She was perfection: an undefeated champion as a racehorse and a Broodmare of the Year in her second career. A Phipps family homebred, Personal Ensign produced MGISW My Flag, as well as GISWs Miner's Mark and Traditionally. Her daughters have produced a number of top-flight runners, including champion Storm Flag Flying, who emulated her granddam and won the Frizette in 2002; GISWs Mr Speaker and Seeking the Soul; and this summer's GII Suburban S. winner Dynamic One.

Regal Gleam (1964, Hail to Reason–Miz Carol, by Stymie): A number of high-caliber horses trace to this Bieber-Jacobs Stable runner, none better than her grandson Caerleon. A Group 1 winner in both England and France, he later distinguished himself with leading sire titles in both England and Ireland.

Priceless Gem (1963, Hail to Reason–Searching, by War Admiral): Like Regal Gleam, above, Bieber-Jacobs Stable bred this lovely mare, whose most important foal was French Horse of the Year and G1 Prix d l'Arc de Triomphe victress Allez France. She's also the ancestress of GISWs Al Mamoon, La Gueriere, Ordway, Honor in War, and Icon Project, as well as of current top 10 leading sire Munnings.

My Dear Girl (1957, Rough'n Tumble–Iltis, by War Relic): Not too many mares produce seven stakes winners and not many leave a sire son as impactful as In Reality. Among his best runners and stallion sons were Relaunch, Known Fact, and Believe It, while the legacies left out of his daughters included Broodmare of the Year Toussaud. My Dear Girl was bred in Florida by Ocala Stud Farms.

Bimlette (1944, Bimelech–Bloodroot, by Blue Larkspur): Bred by E. R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm and out of the 1946 Broodmare of the Year, Bimlette delivered three stakes winners, including 1963 Wood Memorial winner and sire No Robbery. Champion and Breeders' Cup winner Beautiful Pleasure and her full-brother, MGISW Mecke, both trace to her, as does champion Tempest Queen, GISW Dream Dancing, a host of other GSWs, and a current leading sire in New York, Mission Impazible.

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Background Check: Del Mar Debutante

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is the GI TVG Del Mar Debutante S., a race with a surprising amount of repercussion on the sport.

First run the year before Queen Elizabeth II took the throne, the Del Mar Debutante has seen 72 winners, with D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert together combining for more than a quarter of those visits to the winner's circle. It's been run on Polytrack; it's been run in two divisions; and it's been run at seven-eighths since 1994 after stints at six and eight furlongs. The 2-year-old filly event was officially designated a Grade I in 1999.

With the storied history and sheer volume of big-league filly/mare contests focused at Saratoga over the summer, other tracks–even those as spectacular as Del Mar–can be overshadowed. But every now and then a race, like the Del Mar Debutante, has a list of past winners that pops up on the radar. While not all of the Debutante's victresses have been stellar broodmares, there have been a few that have more than held their own. The list may not be long, but it's top notch.

Following are the some of the most important Del Mar Debutante winners by what impact they have had on the breed through their sons and daughters.

Althea (1981, Alydar–Courtly Dee, by Never Bend): A champion 2-year-old who died at just 14 in a paddock accident, this mare–bred by the partnership of Helen Groves, Helen Alexander, and David Aykroyd–produced four stakes winners from her five foals, including Japanese champion Yamanin Paradise and GSW Destiny Dance. Her daughters and granddaughters have been responsible for GISW and influential sire Arch, U.S. champion Covfefe, UAE champion Festival of Light, and GISWs Acoma and Balletto (UAE). From an extended family that just keeps giving, it's all but a certainty that even more will bubble to the surface as time goes by from Althea's branch of her Broodmare of the Year dam.

Terlingua (1976, Secretariat–Crimson Saint, by Crimson Satan): There a substantial list of stakes performers who trace to this Tom Gentry-bred chestnut, including MGISW Ticker Tape (GB), English G1SW Crowded House (GB), and French G1SW Brando (GB), but it's her GISW son, Storm Cat, who launched a legacy. Christened the leading sire, broodmare sire, and juvenile sire in the U.S.–all multiple times–he simply redefined the breed. After standing for multiple years at $500,000 as the premier sire in the land, Storm Cat has left reverberations still felt today even though he was pensioned 14 years ago and died a few years later.

Brown Berry (1960, Mount Marcy–Brown Baby, by Phalanx): This C. V. Whitney-bred mare is a bit of an outlier, as it would be a challenge to find her in any top pedigrees of today. However, as one of history's rare broodmares to produce more than one Classic winner–and on each side of the Atlantic, to boot–she surely deserves a mention. Her son Avatar won the 1975 GI Belmont S. (and two other Grade Is) and another son, Hours After, won the 1988 G1 Prix du Jockey Club. She also produced two other major stakes winners, as well as five more stakes performers.

Tonga (1949, Polynesian–Tirl, by Tick On): Winner of the very first Del Mar Debutante, Tonga didn't have a single stakes winner among her five foals. However, one of her daughters produced three black-type winners and daughters who would beget, among others, GI Kentucky Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus, MGISW Habibti, and Canadian Broodmare of the Year No Class, who would be the foundation mare of Sam-Son Farm. The long list of Canadian champions produced by No Class and her daughters include Classy 'n Smart, Sky Classic, and Regal Classic, while her granddaughter Dance Smartly was also a U.S. champion and her grandson Smart Strike was a two-time leading sire in the U.S. whose son, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, is among the top sires in the U.S. Not a year goes by without the far-reaching effect on both sides of the border of No Class.

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Background Check: Spinaway

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is the GI Spinaway S., currently the first Grade I of the year for 2-year-olds in the country.

Dating to 1881, back when the Kentucky Derby was running for just the seventh time, President James Garfield was assassinated in office, and there was what would become a legendary shootout at the O.K. Corral, the Spinaway has seen its share of history. The race itself is named after 1880's top 2-year-old filly, who beat colts seven times in stakes that year. She was by Leamington, who, among his spate of top progeny, also sired Aristides (winner of the inaugural Kentucky Derby) and Iroquois (the first U.S.-bred horse to win the Epsom Derby and St. Leger across the pond). Spinaway herself foaled a couple of nice runners and was granddam of 1904 Spinaway winner Tanya, remembered today for winning the 1905 Belmont S.

Contrary to more recent trends, the Spinaway S. has actually increased in distance from its beginnings. It started as a five-furlong contest, was bumped up to 5 1/2 furlongs in 1901, increased again to six panels in 1922, and has been run at seven-eighths since 1994. With the unprecedented Tapit filly deadheat in 2016 and a number of missed years early on, the Spinaway has officially recorded 131 individual winners. How they have fared as broodmares!

Some of the Spinaway winners who belong on this list were previously featured in our “Background Checks” for the GI Alabama S., GI Test S., or GIII Schuylerville S.; please see those earlier profiles for notes on Hot Dixie Chick, Meadow Star, Talking Picture, Numbered Account (who already appeared in two!), Moccasin, Risque, and Sallie McClelland. Following are the some of the other most important Spinaway winners by what impact they have had on the breed through their sons and daughters.

Alanesian (1954, Polynesian–Alablue, by Blue Larkspur): This E. Barry Ryan/Normandy Farm-bred mare produced three stakes winners, including Princessnesian, one of the handful of mares to win the Hollywood Gold Cup. A number of significant winners trace to her, including champion granddaughter Revidere, but the legacy she's left on the breed–through sons, grandsons, and the like–is absolutely staggering. Without her son Boldnesian, there would be no Seattle Slew. Without her grandson Ride the Rails, there would be no Candy Ride (Arg). And without her great-great grandson Harlan's Holiday, there would be no Into Mischief.

Sunday Evening (1947, Eight Thirty–Drowsy, by Royal Minstrel {GB}): She produced just one stakes winner–1964 Test winner Time for Bed–but this Greentree Stud homebred's daughters and descendants produced champion 2-year-old Silent Screen; champion 3-year-old filly Dark Mirage; multiple European champion Indian Skimmer; Irish champion Bluebird; GISWs Missy's Mirage, Classy Mirage, Java Gold, Swagger Jack, Timely Writer, and Timely Assertion; and many more.

Myrtle Charm (1946, Alsab–Crepe Myrtle, by Equipoise): One daughter won the Frizette and Alcibiades, but it was another daughter who produced My Charmer, dam of Horse of the Year and incredible breed-shaping sire Seattle Slew. A smattering of other nice horses appear in the family, including Seattle Slew's half-brother, G1 Two Thousand Guineas winner Lomond, but nothing else could compare to the accomplishments of the great Slew. Myrtle Charm was bred by Brownell Combs and Leslie Combs II.

Bellesoeur (1945, Beau Pere {GB}–Donatrice {GB}, by Donatello II {Fr}): Bred in California by Louis B. Mayer, co-founder of MGM Studios, this mare was extremely prolific, with nearly four dozen stakes winners produced by her and her daughters in just the first couple of generations alone. She remains relevant although distant in pedigrees today, as last year's ill-fated Medina Spirit traced directly to her, as did 2015 Canadian Horse of the Year Catch a Glimpse.

Our Page (1940, Blue Larkspur–Occult, by Dis Donc {Fr}): This Royce G. Martin homebred produced five foals, all colts. All were stakes winners and all were sires, the best of whom was undoubtedly Bull Page. He was Canadian Horse of the Year in 1951 and an influential Canadian sire. His most long-lasting effect on the breed is as broodmare sire of Nijinsky II and a son of his was the broodmare sire of Storm Bird. Our Page was named Broodmare of the Year in 1948 when Bull Page was just a yearling.

Loves Only You traces to 1939 Spinaway winner Now What | Horsephotos

Now What (1937, Chance Play–That's That, by High Time): She produced Next Move, a dual champion in the U.S. and a 12-time stakes winner of races that are almost overwhelmingly designated as Grade I today. A number of other top horses trace to the Three D's Stock Farm-bred as well, but her pièce de résistance is surely great-great granddaughter Pasadoble, who singlehandedly founded a dynasty of champions. Pasadoble's greatest foal was her first: multiple French, English, and U.S. champion Miesque, who in turn produced champion East of the Moon, additional MG1SW Kingmambo, and two other GSWs. Other champions of the last two decades descended from Pasadoble include Alpha Centauri (Ire), Six Perfections (Fr), Rumplestiltskin (Ire), and Loves Only You (Jpn).

Blue Warbler (1922, North Star III {GB}–May Bird {GB}, by Thrush {GB}): It may be more of a challenge to find this mare of a century ago in pedigrees today, but it can still be done. Her handful of foals included champions Barn Swallow and Balladier. The latter was a good sire whose sons Double Jay and Spy Song can still be found buried in many a current runner.

Court Dress (1904, Disguise–Hampton Belle {GB}, by Hampton {GB}): Records start getting spotty this far back, but there's no doubt this mare has a vast number of top-class horses tracing to her, including leading sires Deputy Minister and Exclusive Native.

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Background Check: Alabama

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is the GI Alabama S., one of the oldest stakes races in the country.

Dating to 1872, eight years after the first Travers S. was run and 12 years after the first Queen's Plate (the oldest stakes race in North America), the Alabama is the last leg in New York's Triple Tiara following the GI Acorn S. and the GI Coaching Club American Oaks. The major-league 3-year-old filly contest was run at different distances early, but has remained a constant at 1 1/4 miles since 1917. It's a safe bet anyone with a good sophomore filly would love few things more than adding the Alabama to their win column. As with most races this old, a few years were skipped owing to various circumstances, but history has recorded 141 individual winners of the Alabama. How have they fared as broodmares?

Several Alabama winners through the years also won the GI Test S., GI CCA Oaks, GI Diana S., or GIII Schuylerville S.; please see those previous profiles for notes on broodmare phenomenons Sky Beauty, November Snow, Tempted, Busanda, Vagrancy, and Cleopatra. Following are the some of the other most important Alabama winners by what impact they have had on the breed through their sons and daughters.

Pretty Discreet (1992, Private Account–Pretty Persuasive, by Believe It): Her three stakes winners were all colts–GISWs Discreet Cat and Discreetly Mine, as well as MSW & MGISP Pretty Wild–and her three daughters to stay in this country are all stakes producers. She is also the granddam of GISW Awesome Maria, who sold for $4 million at the 2013 Keeneland November sale, and June 9 Astoria S. winner Devious Dame, the first black-type winner for freshman sire Girvin.

Heavenly Prize (1991, Seeking the Gold–Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II): One would expect a mare descended from Blitey and Lady Pitt to do great things and Heavenly Prize held up her end of the bargain. Her sons included MGISW Good Reward and GSW Pure Prize, while her descendants thus far include GISWs Persistently, Queen Goddess, and Instilled Regard, plus GSW & MGISP Stays in Vegas.

Versailles Treaty (1988, Danzig–Ten Cents a Dance, by Buckpasser): GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner George Vancouver is out of this mare, as is GII Remsen S. winner and GI Met Mile runner-up Saarland. Her daughters and granddaughters have produced GISW Mongolian Groom, MGSW Dragon Bay, and several other stakes performers.

Maplejinsky (1985, Nijinsky II–Gold Beauty, by Mr. Prospector): Her daughter, Sky Beauty, won the Alabama and the CCA Oaks in 1993, was named champion older mare in 1994, and captured a total of nine Grade I races before producing MGSW Hurricane Cat and a daughter who would later be granddam of GISW Violence. Maplejinsky didn't stop there. Other daughters and granddaughters have produced MGISWs Guarana, Point of Entry, Pine Island, and Tale of Ekati, as well as GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home and a slew of other high-quality stakes winners. Her great-granddaughter Magical World sold for $5.2 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton November sale, while Magical World's daughter Guarana brought $4.4 million at the same sale.

MG1SW State of Rest traces to 1979 Alabama winner It's in the Air | Sarah Andrew

It's in the Air (1976, Mr. Prospector–A Wind Is Rising, by Francis S.): This mare, often remembered as her sire's first of many champions, has had some very significant activity among her female descendants in the last year. Her MGISW granddaughter, Music Note, produced the 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide, while another unraced granddaughter is the dam of 2021 GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. winner State of Rest (Ire), who is also a G1 winner in England, France, and Australia. Other GI/G1 winners produced by her daughters include Musical Chimes and Storming Home (GB).

Lauries Dancer (1968, Northern Dancer–Its Ann, by Royal Gem II {Aus}): Although she didn't produce a stakes winner, this Canadian Horse of Year's daughters and granddaughters have produced MGISWs Will's Way and Tizway, as well as GISW Willa On the Move, and GISP and excellent Maryland sire Citidancer.

Fanfreluche (1967, Northern Dancer–Ciboulette, by Chop Chop): This Canadian Horse of the Year, even more famous for her abduction than for her race record, was also a remarkable producer with long-reaching influence on multiple continents. Honored as Canadian Broodmare of the Year in 1978, her own foals included two-time Canadian Horse of the Year and U.S. GISW L'Enjoleur, additional Canadian champions La Voyageuse and Medaille d'Or, GSW D'Accord, and MSW Grand Luxe. Her female-line descendants have thus far included French highweight and multiple G1SW Holy Roman Emperor (Ire), as well as European G1SWs Majestic Roi and Erupt (Ire); U.S. GISWs Aube Indienne (Fr) and Combatant; Australian G1SWs Russian Revolution (Aus), Flying Spur (Aus), Encosta de Lago (Aus), and Duais (Aus); and New Zealand G1SW Sherwood Forest (Aus).

Natashka (1963, Dedicate–Natasha, by Nasrullah {GB}): Named Broodmare of the Year in 1981, Natashka sports a long list of black-type winners tracing to her, including leading U.S. sire Elusive Quality and a number of champions.

High Bid (1956, To Market–Stepping Stone, by Princequillo {GB}): This Wheatley/Phipps mare is on this list for one very sound reason. Her first foal was Bold Bidder, not only a champion on the racetrack, but sire and broodmare sire of several luminaries. His two Kentucky Derby winners in a six-year span included one considered among the Top 10 runners of the 1900s: Horse of the Year Spectacular Bid.

Coolmore stallion Wootton Bassett is a descendant of 1931 Alabama winner Risque | Coolmore Stud

Parlo (1951, Heliopolis {GB}–Fairy Palace, by Pilate): Her daughters included 1969 Broodmare of the Year All Beautiful, who produced Horse of the Year Arts and Letters and is great-granddam of dual champion and five-time GISW Silverbulletday.

Salaminia (1937, Man o' War–Alcibiades, by Supremus): A number of stakes winners trace to this daughter of Man o' War, none more notable than English Horse of the Year and excellent sire Sir Ivor. He lives on particularly through his daughters, although his sire son, Sir Tristram (Ire), redefined the breed in Australia and New Zealand.

Risque (1928, Stimulus–Risky, by Diadumenos {GB}): 1980 Broodmare of the Year Key Bridge traces to her, as does U.S. Horse of the Year Fort Marcy and Canadian Horses of the Year Izvestia and With Approval. Champion Key to the Mint, MGISW Touch Gold, and excellent European sire Wootton Bassett (GB) are just a few on the long list of other high-class descendants of Risque.

Escutcheon (1927, Sir Gallahad III {Fr}–Affection {Fr}, by Isidor {GB}): In addition to producing Kentucky Oaks winner Mars Shield, this mare is the ancestress of Broodmares of the Year Levee and Delta, champions Shuvee, Slew o' Gold, Bayou, Smart Deb, Talking Picture, Sacahuista, Playful Act (Ire)–and many more.

Malachite (1913, Rock Sand {GB}–Miss Hanover, by Hanover): A number of stakes performers trace to this mare, most importantly 1943 Horse of the Year and Triple Crown winner Count Fleet. He was ranked among the leading sires and broodmare sires in the country for many years.

Sallie McClelland (1888, Hindoo–Red and Blue, by Alarm): This wonderful producer of yesteryear is the dam of 1904 Kentucky Oaks winner Audience and ancestress of Horses of the Year Whisk Broom II and Crusader, as well as dual champion Top Flight.

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