Better Than Honour (USA)
February 27, 1996 – ?
Deputy Minister (CAN) x Blush With Pride (USA), by Blushing Groom (FR)
Family 8-f
February 27, 1996 – ?
Deputy Minister (CAN) x Blush With Pride (USA), by Blushing Groom (FR)
Family 8-f
Better Than Honour lacked the tough attitude of her dam Blush With Pride but clearly inherited some of her talent, enough to make her a graded stakes winner. She was better still in the breeding shed, where she became the first mare to produce back-to-back winners of the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1). Her feats in the paddocks led to her coronation as the 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Race record
8 starts, 2 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$250,920
1998:
1999:
As an individual
An attractive, well-made bay mare, Better Than Honour has a good shoulder, a fairly level croup, a long hip and a strong, straight hind leg. She suffered a minor ankle injury while running third in the 1999 Mother Goose Stakes and did not race again before being sold to John Sikura later that year. She has an excellent temperament.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Better Than Honour produced 10 named foals, of which eight started and five won. She has not produced a live foal since 2013. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Better Than Honour was bred by Carl Icahn's Foxfield operation. After selling for US$750,000 at the 1997 Keeneland July yearling sale, she raced for Robert Waxman. She was trained by John Kimmel. Following her racing career, she was privately purchased by John Sikura, who bred the mare's first foal, Teeming, before selling her to Skara Glen Stables.
Better Than Honour was sold to BBA Ireland for US$2 million at the 2004 Keeneland November mixed sale and changed hands again about six weeks after Jazil's victory in the 2006 Belmont Stakes when she was sold privately to the partnership of Michael Moreno's Southern Equine Farm and John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms. She was consigned to the 2008 Fasig-Tipton November sale as part of the partnership's dissolution of its joint holdings. Southern Equine, which had owned a 70 percent interest in her prior to the sale, submitted the winning bid of US$14 million, a world record for a Thoroughbred broodmare.
Pedigree notes
Better Than Honour is inbred 5x5 to unbeaten champion and two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. She is a full sister to 2000 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Turnberry Isle and a half sister to 1995 Prix d'Astarte (FR-G2) winner Smolensk (by Danzig), the dam of Grade 3 winner Can the Man (by Into Mischief) and stakes winner Martha's Moon (by Malibu Moon). She is also a half sister to Group 1-placed Maryinsky (by Sadler's Wells), dam of 2007 European co-champion 3-year-old filly Peeping Fawn (by Danehill) and 2007 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Thewayyouare (by Kingmambo); to Color of Love (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of Brazilian Group 2 winner Super Desejada and the third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Desejada Normand; and to Butterfly Blue (by Sadler's Wells), second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner America and multiple French Group 3 winner Ecrivain and third dam of 2020 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Paris Lights and multiple Grade 3 winner First Captain. Finally, she is a half sister to Goldminess (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Daimei Princess.
Better Than Honour is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride, who is a half sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski (by Sir Ivor) and to the excellent broodmare Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), dam of multiple English/Irish champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and of 1989/90 South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer). Sex Appeal is also the dam of Irish Group 3 winner Solar; the second dam of Group 3 winners Blu Carillon, Blu Air Force, Castle Gandolfo and D'Arros; and the third dam of 2013/14 Brazilian champion older female Estrela Monarchos, 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Bahamian Pirate and 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Domedriver. Returning to Blush With Pride, she is also a half sister to English Group 2 winner Giegud (by Sir Ivor) and Irish Group 3 winner Monroe (by Sir Ivor), dam of 1997 European champion 2-year-old male Xaar (by Zafonic), French Group 3 winners Masterclass (by The Minstrel) and Diese (by Diesis) and listed stakes winner Ile de Jinsky (by Ile de Bourbon).
Blush With Pride is out of 1968 Comely Stakes winner Best in Show (by Traffic Judge), also the dam of Grade 1 producers Minnie Hauk (by Sir Ivor) and Nijinsky's Best (by Nijinsky II) and of stakes producer Show Lady (by Sir Ivor), who has established an important branch of the family in Australia. The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Best in Show is out of the Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour and is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Fun facts
Photo credits
Top: Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2014. Used by permission.
Bottom: Candid photo of Better Than Honour relaxing with pasture buddy Irish Cherry (lying on side) taken by Jessica Morgan in 2014. Used by permission.
Race record
8 starts, 2 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$250,920
1998:
- Won Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Aqueduct; by disqualification of Tutorial)
1999:
- 2nd Acorn Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Comely Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
As an individual
An attractive, well-made bay mare, Better Than Honour has a good shoulder, a fairly level croup, a long hip and a strong, straight hind leg. She suffered a minor ankle injury while running third in the 1999 Mother Goose Stakes and did not race again before being sold to John Sikura later that year. She has an excellent temperament.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Better Than Honour produced 10 named foals, of which eight started and five won. She has not produced a live foal since 2013. Her important foals are as follow:
- Teeming (2001, by Storm Cat) won three of her four starts. She is the dam of 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming (by Smart Strike) and of listed stakes winners Cascading (by A.P. Indy) and Treasuring (by Smart Strike). She is also the second dam of 2023 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Arcangelo, Grade 2 winner Cezanne, Canadian Group 2 winner Tyson, and Turkish Group 3 winner Arabian Hope.
- Jazil (2003, by Seeking the Gold) won the 2006 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1). He was not a particularly successful sire before his death in a 2014 paddock accident.
- Rags to Riches (2004, by A.P. Indy) won the 2007 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1), becoming the first filly to do so since Tanya in 1905. The American champion 3-year-old filly of 2007, she is the dam of Rhett Butler (by Galileo), the Hungarian Horse of the Year, champion older horse and champion stayer of 2016.
- Casino Drive (2005, by Mineshaft) won the 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2) and is now at stud in Japan.
- Man of Iron (2006, by Giant's Causeway) won the 2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon (USA-L). He was exported to Peru for stallion duty in 2011.
- Tiffany's Honour (2011, by Street Cry) failed to win in three starts but is the dam of 2021 Holy Bull Stakes (USA-G3) winner Greatest Honour (by Tapit).
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Better Than Honour was bred by Carl Icahn's Foxfield operation. After selling for US$750,000 at the 1997 Keeneland July yearling sale, she raced for Robert Waxman. She was trained by John Kimmel. Following her racing career, she was privately purchased by John Sikura, who bred the mare's first foal, Teeming, before selling her to Skara Glen Stables.
Better Than Honour was sold to BBA Ireland for US$2 million at the 2004 Keeneland November mixed sale and changed hands again about six weeks after Jazil's victory in the 2006 Belmont Stakes when she was sold privately to the partnership of Michael Moreno's Southern Equine Farm and John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms. She was consigned to the 2008 Fasig-Tipton November sale as part of the partnership's dissolution of its joint holdings. Southern Equine, which had owned a 70 percent interest in her prior to the sale, submitted the winning bid of US$14 million, a world record for a Thoroughbred broodmare.
Pedigree notes
Better Than Honour is inbred 5x5 to unbeaten champion and two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. She is a full sister to 2000 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Turnberry Isle and a half sister to 1995 Prix d'Astarte (FR-G2) winner Smolensk (by Danzig), the dam of Grade 3 winner Can the Man (by Into Mischief) and stakes winner Martha's Moon (by Malibu Moon). She is also a half sister to Group 1-placed Maryinsky (by Sadler's Wells), dam of 2007 European co-champion 3-year-old filly Peeping Fawn (by Danehill) and 2007 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Thewayyouare (by Kingmambo); to Color of Love (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of Brazilian Group 2 winner Super Desejada and the third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Desejada Normand; and to Butterfly Blue (by Sadler's Wells), second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner America and multiple French Group 3 winner Ecrivain and third dam of 2020 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Paris Lights and multiple Grade 3 winner First Captain. Finally, she is a half sister to Goldminess (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Daimei Princess.
Better Than Honour is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride, who is a half sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski (by Sir Ivor) and to the excellent broodmare Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), dam of multiple English/Irish champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and of 1989/90 South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer). Sex Appeal is also the dam of Irish Group 3 winner Solar; the second dam of Group 3 winners Blu Carillon, Blu Air Force, Castle Gandolfo and D'Arros; and the third dam of 2013/14 Brazilian champion older female Estrela Monarchos, 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Bahamian Pirate and 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Domedriver. Returning to Blush With Pride, she is also a half sister to English Group 2 winner Giegud (by Sir Ivor) and Irish Group 3 winner Monroe (by Sir Ivor), dam of 1997 European champion 2-year-old male Xaar (by Zafonic), French Group 3 winners Masterclass (by The Minstrel) and Diese (by Diesis) and listed stakes winner Ile de Jinsky (by Ile de Bourbon).
Blush With Pride is out of 1968 Comely Stakes winner Best in Show (by Traffic Judge), also the dam of Grade 1 producers Minnie Hauk (by Sir Ivor) and Nijinsky's Best (by Nijinsky II) and of stakes producer Show Lady (by Sir Ivor), who has established an important branch of the family in Australia. The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Best in Show is out of the Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour and is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Fun facts
- Better Than Honour's US$14 million auction price eclipsed the previous record set for a broodmare at public auction by Playful Act, who went for US$10.5 million at the 2007 Keeneland November mixed sale, and was the second-highest price ever paid at auction for a Thoroughbred of any age. (The all-time leader, The Green Monkey, was sold for US$16 million at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Photo credits
Top: Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2014. Used by permission.
Bottom: Candid photo of Better Than Honour relaxing with pasture buddy Irish Cherry (lying on side) taken by Jessica Morgan in 2014. Used by permission.
Last updated: March 12, 2024