Background Check: Del Mar Oaks

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 Del Mar's GI Del Mar Oaks, inaugurated in 1957 on the dirt but a permanent fixture on the grass since the 1965 edition.

As always, when there's racemares of this caliber, many will go on to become excellent producers. A few especially leap off the page for their accomplishments after racing. Following are highlights of some of the most important Del Mar Oaks winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

No Matter What (1997, Nureyev–Words of War, by Lord At War {Arg}), bred by Arthur B. Hancock III and Stonerside, Ltd.: Not too many mares produce five graded/group winners, but this one did. Her best was English/Irish highweight and MG1SW Rainbow View (Dynaformer).

Hollywood Wildcat (1990, Kris S.–Miss Wildcatter, by Mr. Prospector), bred by Irving and Marjorie Cowan: One of the few mares to both win a Breeders' Cup and produce a Breeders' Cup winner, she is the dam of GI Mile winner War Chant (Danzig). She would go on to produce three other stakes winners, including GSW Ivan Denisovich (Ire) (Danehill), who also placed in Grade I/Group 1 races in three countries. Japanese G1SW Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Canadian Classic winner Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) are among the stakes performers produced by her daughters.

Hidden Light (1983, Majestic Light–Tallahto, by Nantallah), bred by Howard B. Keck: Her pièce de résistance was her 11th foal, the tough Breeders' Cup winner Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}), who has doubled up on siring Grade I/Group 1 winners in both the U.S. and Australia. His best to date is Australian champion Flying Artie (Aus), in turn the sire of Australian MGISW and English invader Artorius (Aus).

French Charmer (1978, Le Fabuleux {Fr}–Bold Example, by Bold Lad), bred by A. D. D. Rogers: England's 1989 Horse of the Year and nice sire Zilzal (Nureyev) was her top son, while other descendants include Canadian champion and U.S. GISW Negligee (Northern Afleet).

Country Queen (1975, Explodent–Carrie's Rough, by Rough'n Tumble), bred by Ocala Stud, Inc.: This Florida-bred mare produced one minor stakes winner, but a daughter of hers went to France and made a massive splash. Among the latter's sons were MG1SW and sire Slickly (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) and among her daughters were the dams of European champion Siyouma (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and G1SW Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}). Currently one of the world's leading sires and based in France, Siyouni is responsible for the likes of Sottsass (Fr), St Mark's Basilica (Fr), Laurens (Fr), and Paddington (GB).

Sandy Blue (1970, Windy Sands–Blue Nola, by Limelight {GB}), bred by Mr. & Mrs. Dan Gershon: A long list of stakes winners traces to this California-bred chestnut, most notably the wonderful champion grass mare and six-time GISW Possibly Perfect (Northern Baby). Other GISWs include Eddington (Unbridled), Coil (Point Given), Chiropractor (Kitten's Joy), and Miserden (Private Account), the latter in France.

Desert Trial (1963, Moslem Chief–Scotch Verdict, by Alsab), bred by Joseph M. O'Farrell: Among this mare's four stakes winners were dual champion and six-time GISW Desert Vixen (In Reality), as well as a full-brother to that champion in GSW & GISP Valid Appeal. The latter was an excellent Florida-based sire, known for throwing early runners with an abundance of speed. Desert Vixen, in turn, produced French GSW & MG1SP Real Shadai (Roberto), who would become a leading sire in Japan.

Fun House (1958, The Doge–Recess, by Count Fleet), bred by C. V. Whitney: Before there was a Winchell Broodmare of the Year with the same name, this dark bay produced six black-type winners, including GISW Court Ruling (Traffic Judge) and eventual leading Argentinean sire Good Manners (Nashua). Her descendants include dual Canadian champion and U.S. MGISW Windsharp (Lear Fan), dam of Breeders' Cup winner Johar (Gone West) and 2003 Del Mar Oaks winner Dessert (Storm Cat).

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Stidham Celebrates Another Stakes Win At Del Mar

The win by Princess Grace in Saturday's Yellow Ribbon Handicap was the sixth at that level at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif., for trainer Michael Stidham.

And maybe it was just the heat of the moment, but it seemed in the winner's circle afterward that seeing the 4-year-old daughter of Karakontie bursting between horses at the top of the stretch in the $200,000, 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 event and proceeding resolutely to a 1 ¼-length victory, topped the previous five here for the 63-year-old Stidham.

“I always, always love coming back to Del Mar,” Stidham, 63, said. “I was here all through the 1980s and it's almost like coming home. It's a great feeling. Part of my family – my daughter from college and my mother – are here and it's just a fantastic feeling.”

Stidham trained Princess Grace's mother, Masquerade, and said that the two were similarly tenacious, “always digging in and trying to win every time out.” Princess Grace, he said, was more talented – as evidenced by five wins and a second in six career starts over six different racetracks. “She should be undefeated, the one loss was just unlucky,” Stidham said.

Based in New Orleans, Stidham campaigns horses extensively in the Midwest and East, but has had success shipping here for stakes events over the last seven years.

In 2014, he won the San Clemente Stakes and the Sandy Blue with Istanford. He took back-to-back runnings of the Jimmy Durante during the fall meeting in 2018 and 2019 with Elsa and Alms, respectively. Pixelate's victory in last year's Del Mar Derby made it three straight years of at least one Del Mar stakes victory for Stidham, a streak that Princess Grace extended.

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“I have to say, one of the reasons I'm here is David Jerkens, the racing secretary,” Stidham said. “He's constantly calling me and wanting me to bring a string out – which I did a few years ago – and keeping me updated on races. He does a great job, and I want to give him credit for being part of the reason I came.”

Princess Grace exited the Yellow Ribbon in fine fettle. Her next assignment is undetermined.

“I haven't looked past (the Yellow Ribbon),” Stidham said. “This was going to be her test to step up to another league and she obviously passed the test really well.”

The post Stidham Celebrates Another Stakes Win At Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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