Secretariat

(7-7-24) Triple Crown winner Secretariat has to be the greatest ever thoroughbred in the history of the sport. Secretariat still holds the stakes record for each of the Triple Crown races, the Kentucky Derby (1:59 2/5 ) the Preakness Stakes (1:53) and the Belmont Stakes (2:24).

His sire Bold Ruler, one of the best known thoroughbreds, had an impressive race record and went on to sire numerous top runners. His dam, Somethingroyal, had several stakes winners.

Secretariat had two-full sibling sisters, Syrian Sea who had a moderate successful career, while The Bride, only had 4 starts Both had a foal or two who did well. But neither even came close to their younger brother.

When the siblings were foaled—…

  • Syrian Sea – 1965
  • The Bride – 1969
  • Secretariat – 1970

In the world of racing today bloodlines are highly scrutinized when looking for the next stakes winner. Somethingroyal produced the two sisters first, one born in 1965 and 1969. Secretariat would follow in 1970.

Looking back on the three siblings it seems that there is no sure thing. Bloodlines don’t always prove to be the winning formula, when you compare this family.

The Family Tree

1957 Bold Ruler wins the Wood Memorial Stakes horse race and sets track record in Jamaica, N.Y.

nutty.archives – You Tube Video

Bold Ruler, the sire of the three siblings, began his 3-year old campaign by setting a track record in the Flamingo Stakes. He then won the Wood Memorial, Preakness Stakes, Jerome Handicap, Vosburgh Handicap, Queens County Handicap, and Trenton Handicap. As a sophomore, Bold Ruler won four stakes in which he carried 130 pounds or more and set three track records. His best effort of the year is generally considered to be the Trenton Handicap, in which he defeated Hall of Famers Gallant Man and Round Table. Overall, Bold Ruler compiled a record of 11-2-2 from 16 starts and earnings of $415,160 as a 3-year-old.

Bold Ruler continued to excel as a 4-year-old in 1958, winning both the Suburban Handicap and the Monmouth Handicap with 134 pounds. Bold Ruler also won the Stymie, Carter, and Toboggan handicaps that year. He injured an ankle carrying 136 pounds in the Brooklyn Handicap and was retired to stud with an overall record of 23-4-2 from 33 starts and earnings of $764,204.

Bold Ruler sired Triple Crown winner Secretariat and the Hall of Fame filly Gamely…plus Bold Bidder, Lamb Chop, Bold Lad, Queen Empress, Successor, Queen of the Stage, Vitriolic, and Wajima. He was also the grandsire of Ruffian, Bold Forbes, Foolish Pleasure, Bold ’n Determined, and Spectacular Bid, as well as the great-grandsire of Seattle Slew.

Bold Ruler was the leading North American sire from 1963 through 1969 and died at Claiborne Farm in 1971 at the age of 17.

Achievements

  • Horse of the Year — 1957
  • Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1957
  • Champion Sprint Horse — 1958

Triple Crown Highlights

  • Won the Preakness Stakes — 1957

The three siblings dam, Somethingroyal, who never raced, was named the 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year when at age 18 she became the oldest mare to foal an American Triple Crown winner, Secretariat. She had already established herself as a “blue hen“, having produced several stakes-winning and stakes-placed horses.

Other foals included:

  • Cherryville (foaled in 1958) – sired by Correspondent. Was stakes-placed and became a successful producer
  • Sir Gaylord (1959) – by Turn-To. Won six stakes races and later became an excellent sire, whose offspring include Sir Ivor
  • Mostar (1961) – by Double Jay. Stakes-placed
  • First Family (1962) – by First Landing. Stakes winner
  • Swansea (1963) – by Turn-to. Winless but became a successful producer
  • Grand Coulee (1964) – by First Landing. Stakes-placed and producer
  • Syrian Sea (1965) – by Bold Ruler. Multiple stakes winner and successful producer
  • The Bride (1969) – by Bold Ruler. Winless but became a successful producer
  • Secretariat (1970) – by Bold Ruler. Triple Crown winner, Hall of Fame inductee, good sire and leading broodmare sire
  • Somethingfabulous (1972) – by Northern Dancer. Grade I-placed and good regional sire
  • Straight Flush (1975) – by Riva Ridge. Race winner and sire.
  • Queen’s Colours (1976) – by Reviewer. Winless but became a successful producer

The pedigree of the three siblings is quite international…both grand sires were bred in Great Britain…also features bloodlines from Italy, France and Ireland.

A look at Secretariat’s two full-sisters –

The most successful sister on the track was 1967 Selima Stakes winner Syrian Sea, dam of Grade 2 winner Alada (by Riva Ridge) and third dam of 1992 American champion 3-year-old filly Saratoga Dew.

The Bride, produced Argentine Group 2 winner At Ease (by Hoist the Flag) and is the second dam of 1990 John A.

  • 4 Starts, 0 Wins, 0 Places, 0 Shows Career Earnings: $0