Kentucky Derby fillies as broodmares

One might assume that only top fillies would dare contest a Kentucky Derby – and one would be correct in that assumption. As broodmares, these 40 classic distaffers went on to comprise a pretty solid group of matrons, with 18 of them producing stakes winners and several exerting a notable-to-profound influence on the American Thoroughbred.

Although a stakes producer, Regret was far from the most important future broodmare to emerge from the Derby. More impressive was the sextet of Cleopatra (15th in 1920), Prudery (third, 1921), Alcibiades (10th, 1930), Nellie Flag (fourth, 1935), Althea (19th, 1984), and Serena’s Song (16th, 1995). Cleopatra produced juvenile champion Pompey. Alcibiades produced juvenile champion Menow, the sire of Hall of Famer Tom Fool, and is an ancetress of international racehorse and sire Sir Ivor. Prudery was that rarest of rare gems – a mare capable of producing two American classic winners – Whiskery (who avenged his dam in the 1927 Derby) and Victorian (1928 Preakness).

The best of Nellie Flag’s stakes-winning trio were champion mare Mar-Kell and Kentucky Oaks victress Nellie L., and she subsequently traced in the bottom line to the great Forego and 1976 Kentucky Derby winner Bold Forbes. Althea’s four stakes winners would include a Japanese champion, while her descendants numbered Grade 1 winner/top American sire Arch. Serena’s Song, produced five stakes winners and is the third dam of 2015 Gulfstream Park Handicap winner Honor Code. But heartbreak and disappointment has been over-represented in this group.

Genuine Risk famously produced just two unraced foals in 18 years of trying; Misweet never produced a foal, Ben Machree only one. Cupecoy’s Joy was plenty fertile, but her offspring were abysmal – three winners from 12 foals, not one a stakes winner. The last four Derby fillies have especially sad stories. Excellent Meeting died during colic surgery at age 8 in 2006, while same-crop cohort Three Ring suffered a fatal skull fracture after flipping in the Belmont Park paddock six weeks after the Derby; Eight Belles broke down catastrophically in both fore ankles immediately after finishing second in 2008; and Devil May Care – 10th in 2010 – was euthanized the following year due to cancer.