Whimsical and My Girls!

The second filly to ever win the Preakness Stakes was Whimsical in 1906, a few years after the first winner, Flocarline. I think the New York Times captured the spirit of her win with this headline: "Whimsical easily won the Preakness Stake, T.J. Gaynor's Filly Made her Own Pace and Romped in First." The text of the news item said that she was strong through the whole race and took command going in front of the stands, whereupon she "galloped in front at her ease." Another filly was in that race too, Flip Flap, and was also a powerful runner. I love the names of both these girls!

The Whimsical Stakes for older mares at Pimlico Race Course is named after her and raced on Preakness weekend.

Whimsical is listed as having one son, Whimsy out of Burgomaster. My girls are related to her through her sire, Orlando, and from her mother, Kismet, they share Hindoo, Touchstone, and Voltigeur. I couldn't find a picture of her, so you can have one of my darling Rory and Jackie.

Touchstone and my Girls!

Both my girls are related to Touchstone, one of the most influential sires of the 19th century and a 4x leader on the sire lists! When he was grown, he was only 15.2 hands with a too long back. When he ran, he was very odd-looking with his hocks turned out and his knees super straight. He would veer if the jockey used the whip, and he'd start slow, but once he got going, his jockey could not pull him down. He favored long races where he "could stay forever." And at exercise, the Thoroughbred Gallery reports that "he was very lazy, and could hardly be kicked along!" During his career, he won the Ascot Gold Cup twice, the St. Leger Stakes, and the Doncaster. He features in this painting by John Frederick Herring. Among the ways my girls are related to him, Hailee has one of his kids, Flatcatcher, and Violet has Orlando! The Sir Dixon line carries Touchstone. You can read more about Touchstone at the following link:
http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Touchstone.html

My Girls are Ruthless!!!

Ruthless was a filly out of Eclipse and Barbarity. She was the first of 5 fillies from that combination. Her sisters included Relentless, Remorseless, Regardless, and Merciless. They were collectively called The Barbarous Battalion!. Ruthless was the first horse to win the Belmont Stakes in 1867, and one of only 2 fillies who have ever won the Belmont in over 100 years of the race's history. She was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1975, and has a race named after her at Aqueduct called "The Ruthless." Hailee and Violet are related to this macho girl through the following horses (and others): Orlando, Whalebone, Touchstone, Bay Middleton, Selim, Camel, and, of course, Eclipse! You can read more about this Belmont Girl at the following links:

http://www.racingmuseum.org/hall/horse.asp?ID=129

http://saratogaracing.com/Aqueduct/stakes/Ruthless.html