The Apple Blossom is such a mainstay in the older filly and mare ranks that it might be a surprise to all but those with the longest memories that the first several winners were males. It's the last 50 years that have been devoted exclusively to the ladies, resulting in a steady diet of champions in the older mare division. Despite past winners including Zenyatta, Azeri, Paseana (Arg), and Susan's Girl, the Apple Blossom seems to get better and better. Surely races don't get more exciting than in 2021 when Letruska, Monomoy Girl, and Swiss Skydiver–eventually all three Eclipse champions–came off the final turn together for an epic showdown.

Following are some of the most important Apple Blossom winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Close Hatches (2010, First Defence–Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat), bred by Millsec, LTD.: Her first foal was Tacitus (Tapit), now a young sire whose first foals have been arriving this spring. He won three graded stakes, but also placed in six Grade I events, including the Kentucky Derby, Belmont S. , and Travers S.

Dream of Summer (1999, Siberian Summer–Mary's Dream, by Skywalker), bred by James Weigel: This lovely California-bred has consistently punched above her weight, producing GISW and sire Creative Cause (Giant's Causeway), GISW Vexatious (Giant's Causeway), and MGSW & GISP Destin (Giant's Causeway). Her current 3-year-old filly, Summer Promise (Uncle Mo), is a 'TDN Rising Star' and was runner-up in the GIII Schuylerville S. last year.

GISW Queen Goddess, descended from 1995 winner Heavenly Prize, was last seen winning the Pegasus F/M Turf Jan. 28 | Coglianese

Heavenly Prize (1991, Seeking the Gold–Oh What a Dance, by Nijinsky II), bred by Ogden Phipps: This Phipps homebred Hall of Famer produced MGISW Good Reward (Storm Cat) and GSW Pure Prize (Storm Cat), while her daughters and granddaughters have already imparted upon the sport GISWs Persistently (Smoke Glacken), Queen Goddess (Empire Maker), and Instilled Regard (Arch); GSW & MGISP Stays in Vegas (City Zip); and SW & MGISP Faithfully (Smart Strike).

Halo America (1990, Waquoit–Ameriangel, by Halo), bred by John Franks: Young sire and GI Preakness S. winner Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) is out of this gray's MGSP daughter Quick Temper (A.P. Indy).

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Her descendants include English champion and G1SW Music Show (Ire) (Noverre); Venezuelan champion La Alpujarra (Ven) (Pioneerof the Nile); four-time GISW Turbulent Descent (Congrats); GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway); GSW & MGISP All Included (Include); and a number of other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: Despite limited opportunities, this Hall of Famer and two-time Breeders' Cup winner is the granddam of MGISW and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll).

Love Smitten (1981, Key to the Mint–Square Angel, by Quadrangle), bred by E. P. Taylor: A full-sister to the dam of Gorgeous, above, the final three of her five living foals were all black-type winners, but she'll be remembered best as the dam of the glorious Swain (Ire) (Nashwan). The globetrotting English and Irish champion was a MG1SW on the grass, but it was his placings on the dirt in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and G1 Dubai World Cup just a neck and a nose behind Silver Charm that endeared him to American audiences.

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Dam of MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar), she's also granddam to GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) and GISW Pohave (Holy Bull). A great-granddaughter is GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit).

Miss Baja (1975, Mr. Leader–Double Tollgate, by Carry Back), bred by Spears-Olsson Breeding Syndicate: She produced GSW Stoneleigh's Hope (Damascus), while her descendants include two winners of Keeneland's GI Darley Alcibiades S. in the last decade, Peace and War (War Front) and British Idiom (Flashback). The latter also won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and was named an Eclipse champion. Others tracing to Miss Baja include GSW & GISP Rushie (Liam's Map), GSW Princess Pietrina (Spectacular Bid), and Argentina's MGSW & G1SP Papa Inc (Arg) (Include).

Summertime Promise (1972, Nijinsky II–Prides Promise, by Crozier), bred by Paul Mellon: U.S. GISW and Japanese graded producer Teddy's Promise (Salt Lake) descends from her, as do GSWs and useful sires Carson City (Mr. Prospector) and General Meeting (Seattle Slew).

Susan's Girl (1969, Quadrangle–Quaze, by Quibu {Arg}), bred by F. W. Hooper, Jr.: They don't come more hale and hearty than this Hall of Famer, multiple champion, and winner of 24 black-type events ranging from the Kentucky Oaks to the Apple Blossom, so it should be no surprise her triple Grade I-winning son Copelan (Tri Jet) would sire a number of tough and successful Florida-breds.

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Formerly the Vanity, formerly run at Hollywood Park, and formerly run at distances up to 1 1/4 miles, the Beholder Mile has had one constant: class. Some of the most decorated racemares of our sport have won it since it was inaugurated in 1940, including Hall of Famers Busher, Bewitch, Silver Spoon, Gamely, Azeri, Zenyatta, and, of course, Beholder, the multiple champion who won the 2016 edition and for whom the race is now named.

Following are some of the most important Beholder Mile winners by what impact they've had on the sport through their sons and daughters.

Byrama (GB) (2009, Byron {GB}–Aymara {GB}, by Darshaan {GB}), bred by Ermyn Lodge Stud Limited: Five years after winning the last Vanity run at Hollywood Park, this mare produced Known Agenda (Curlin), winner of the 2021 GI Florida Derby. The popular young stallion is currently standing his second season at Spendthrift Farm, where he was among the top 30 stallions in the nation by number of mares bred last year.

Hollywood Story (2001, Wild Rush–Wife for Life, by Dynaformer), bred by Vinery: The best of her four stakes performers to date is 2020 GI Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (Honor Code). The flashy young Lane's End stallion will have his first yearlings at the sales this year; he was among the top 10 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearlings himself when he sold in 2018.

Gorgeous (1986, Slew o' Gold–Kamar, by Key to the Mint), bred by Hermitage Farm, Inc., A. G. Clay, and R. N. Clay: Bred to the finest stallions of her time, Gorgeous “only” produced one stakes winner from her 11 foals, the French listed SW & MGSP Stunning (Nureyev). However, genetic gold has since been bubbling to the surface through her descendants, which include English champion and G1SW Music Show (Ire) (Noverre); Venezuelan champion La Alpujarra (Ven) (Pioneerof the Nile); four-time GISW Turbulent Descent (Congrats); GISW Swift Temper (Giant's Causeway); GSW & MGISP All Included (Include); and several other black-type winners.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners), bred by Haras Principal: From just four foals and only two daughters to make it to the breeding shed, Bayakoa is the granddam of GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned (E Dubai), MGISW Affluent (Affirmed), and GSW Walkabout (Stroll), as well as the ancestor of seven more stakes performers, including 2022 GIII Regret S. winner Walkathon (Twirling Candy) and last month's GIII Palos Verdes S. runner-up Radical Right (First Samurai).

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse), bred by Edgar Kitchen: Her MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery (Alydar) produced GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief (Storm Cat) while another Alydar daughter produced GISW Pohave (Holy Bull) and is the granddam of GSW and $2.2-million Summer Wind broodmare purchase Tapicat (Tapit). Cat Thief is turning into a first-rate broodmare sire with runners out of his daughters including champion 2-year-old colt and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), as well as Chilean champion and U.S. GISW Wow Cat (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky).

It's in the Air (1976, Mr. Prospector–A Wind Is Rising, by Francis S.), bred by Happy Valley Farm: Best remembered as the first champion sired by Mr. Prospector and her sale for $4.6 million to Darley at Keeneland November in the 80s, she produced four stakes performers but it's her descendants a generation or more removed that have proved more valuable. Those tracing to her include 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and new 2023 Darley stallion Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and his five-time GISW dam Music Note (A.P. Indy); U.S. GISW and English/French/Australian G1SW State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}); English G1SW and U.S. MGISW Storming Home (GB) (Machiavellian); French G1SW and U.S. GISW Musical Chimes (In Excess {Ire}); and Australian G1SWs Glencadam Gold (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) and Alverta (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}).

Tallahto (1970, Nantallah–Legato, by Dark Star), bred by Howard B. Keck: She produced two GISWs in son Prince True (Majestic Light) and daughter Hidden Light (Majestic Light) and her descendants include group winners in Japan, Australia, and South Africa, but her best thus far is undoubtedly grandson and GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Artie Schiller (El Prado {Ire}). He has sired GI/G1 winners in both the U.S. and Australia.

Countess Fleet (1951, Count Fleet–Honor Bound, by Bull Dog {Fr}), bred by Robert Lehman: Although she's got a number of stakes performers on multiple continents tracing to her, it'll likely be champion and Breeders' Cup winner Storm Song (Summer Squall) that is her legacy. One of Storm Song's daughters produced four black-type winners, including multiple European champion and MG1SW Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Two Lea (1946, Bull Lea–Two Bob, by The Porter), bred by Calumet Farm: The best of her three black-type winning sons on the racetrack was champion and dual Classic winner Tim Tam (Tom Fool), but her best in the breeding shed was seven-time stakes winner On-and-On (Nasrullah {GB}). As a sire, On-and-On's sons included 1968 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Forward Pass, while he is also the broodmare sire of breed-shaping stallion Alydar (Raise a Native).

Be Faithful (1942, Bimelech–Bloodroot, by Blue Larkspur), bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm Co: The number of high-class stakes winners tracing to this mare is significant with the very finest going through her Kentucky Oaks- and Beldame-winning daughter Lalun (Djeddah {Fr}). The impact of Lalun's champion son Never Bend (Nasrullah {GB}) and Travers-winning son Bold Reason (Hail to Reason) as sires is staggering. The former sired Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Mill Reef, as well as Broodmare of the Year Courtly Dee, who is considered one of the greatest broodmares of the last century and still churns out top-class winners tracing directly to her with great regularity. Not to be outdone, Bold Reason came up with an extraordinary daughter of his own in Fairy Bridge, dam of MG1SW Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer), whose mark on the breed as a sire is unparalleled.

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First run in 1956, the Spinster has become one of the most coveted prizes on the racing calendar. There's just something special about the fall event and the copious champions it has attracted in front of the home crowd. Juddmonte, honored with the Eclipse as outstanding breeder five times and recognized as one of the most savvy and illustrious breeders in the world, has sponsored the Spinster since 2005.

Five mares have won the race twice, giving the sport 61 individual winners from 66 runnings of the Spinster. Two–the William Schettine-bred Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady and the phenomenal Phipps blue hen Numbered Account–were previously featured in our “Background Checks” for the GI Alcibiades S., GI Test S., and GIII Schuylerville S.

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

Miss Linda (Arg) (1997, Southern Halo–Miss Peggy {Arg}, by Fitzcarraldo {Arg}): The dam of just one winner from a half-dozen foals, this Argentinean-bred is an unlikely addition here. However, a grandson is MGISW Lord Nelson, a young stallion who died last year at age nine after a multi-year battle with laminitis and whose name keeps popping up with winners.

Clear Mandate (1992, Deputy Minister–Dream Deal, by Sharpen Up {GB}): A homebred for G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. and his aunt, Pamela H. Firman, this striking chestnut produced GISW and sire Strong Mandate, MGSW/MGISP and sire Newfoundland, and SW and sire Full Mandate. Her first three yearlings sold at Keeneland September in three consecutive years for $3.2 million, $3.3 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.

Inside Information (1991, Private Account–Pure Profit, by Key to the Mint): Just five foals out of this wonderful Phipps homebred made it to the races, including 2005's champion 3-year-old filly and MGISW, Smuggler. Another daughter produced MGSW Gone Astray, while English MGSW Kessaar (Ire) also descends from her. Multiple consecutive generations on both Inside Information's sire and dam side have been part of the Phipps stable since 1946.

Bayakoa (Arg) (1984, Consultant's Bid–Arlucea {Arg}, by Good Manners): This marvelous Argentinean-bred champion and two-time Spinster winner only had four foals, with just two making it to the races and only one winning. Before she had a winner of her own, Bayakoa's first unraced daughter had foaled four-time GISW Affluent. Another daughter added GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned and GSW Walkabout. This summer's GIII Regret S. winner at Churchill Downs, Walkathon, also descends from Bayakoa.

Track Robbery (1976, No Robbery–Left At Home, by Run For Nurse): This chestnut's best foal was MGSW & MGISP Train Robbery. Her two daughters by Alydar each produced a Grade I winner: Breeders' Cup Classic winner Cat Thief and Triple Bend Breeders' Cup Invitational H. victor Pohave. Track Robbery was bred in Kentucky by Edgar Kitchen.

Glorious Song (1976, Halo–Ballade, by Herbager {Fr}): Bred in Ontario by E. P. Taylor, Glorious Song was a Canadian Hall of Famer and an American champion who was even better as a broodmare. Her sons included Rahy, a GSW-U.S. & G1SP-Eng runner who was among North America's leading sires during his tenure, and Singspiel (Ire), a U.S. champion who was also a GI/G1 winner in England, Canada, and Japan, as well as winner of the Dubai World Cup before it was a group event. Glorious Song's daughters and descendants are responsible for Group 1 winners Vivlos (Jpn), Mezzo Soprano, Cheval Grand (Jpn), Verxina (Jpn), Campanologist, and Danon Chantilly (Jpn).

Susan's Girl (1969, Quadrangle–Quaze, by Quibu {Arg}): Another two-time Spinster heroine, Susan's Girl had a signature son in Copelan. Winner of three Grade I races at two and a homebred for Fred Hooper, Jr., Copeland was a stalwart in the Florida stallion ranks who got better than 10% black-type winners from starters.

Straight Deal (1962, Hail to Reason–No Fiddling, by King Cole): A homebred champion for Bieber-Jacobs Stable, Straight Deal produced three stakes winners from her 10 foals, including GISW Desiree. Her daughters and granddaughters additionally produced GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Dangerous Midge; MGISW Adored; GISWs Qualify, Scorpion, and Alwajeeha; MGSW and excellent sire Belong to Me; and MGSW and GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles.

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