Violet is related to Eight Thirty, a sire who was voted by Blood Horse magazine as the #78 Top Race Horse of the 20th Century. He has an AQHA listing as well. During his track life, he earned $155,475 and raced 27 times, for 16 wins, 3 seconds, and 5 thirds. In one month alone, he won 4 important stakes races. When he was 3, he won 7 of 10 starts, and in his 4th and 5th year, he won 6 of 10. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1994. During his stud life, he sired 44 stakes winners from 299 foals, for a 15% stakes percentage. His nickname was "The Perfect Gentleman." Awwww. That's so sweet. Now I can see why Violet is the nicest biggest kitten of a girl. In Violet's family, Eight Thirty was bred to Fragrance to produce Rare Perfume. Rare Perfume was bred to Nasrullah to produce Jaipur. His owner and breeder, George D. Widener, Jr. is one of only four people ever named an Exemplar of Racing, and he served as President of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame from 1960-1968. Violet's beautiful gentleman lived to the distinguished age of 29 and his horse-loving owner lived to 82. You can read more about this handsome fellow at the following links:
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