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Blue Swords (USA)

1940 – 1955

Blue Larkspur (USA) x Flaming Swords (USA), by Man o' War (USA)

Family 7

Picture
While he lasted, Blue Swords was arguably the second-best colt of his crop, but he was no match for the mighty Count Fleet. He became a useful stallion whose runners included 1952 Preakness Stakes winner Blue Man, but his greatest contribution to his breed was his daughter Nothirdchance, dam of the champion racehorse and sire Hail to Reason.


Race record

22 starts, 5 wins, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, US$58,065

1942:
  • Won Eastern Shore Handicap (USA, 6FD, Havre de Grace)
  • Won Ardsley Handicap (USA, 8f+70yD, Empire City)
  • Won Remsen Handicap (USA, 6FD, Jamaica)
  • 2nd Champagne Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
  • 3rd Washington Park Futurity (USA, 6FD, Washington Park)

1943:
  • 2nd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
  • 2nd Preakness Stakes (USA, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
  • 2nd Wood Memorial Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)


Assessments

Ranked fourth among American juvenile males of 1942 by The Blood-Horse.

Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1943 by The Blood-Horse.


As an individual

A bay, Blue Swords was a handsome, well-balanced horse with the high withers of his maternal grandsire, Man o' War, and a straight, strong hind leg.



As a stallion

According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Blue Swords sired 17 stakes winners (7.6%) and 177 winners (79.0%) from 224 named foals.



Sire rankings

Per The Blood-Horse:
  • 8th on the American general sire list in 1952.


Notable progeny

Blue Man (USA), Nothirdchance (USA)


Connections

Foaled in Kentucky, Blue Swords was bred by Samuel Riddle. He was owned by Allen T. Simmons and was initially trained by Walter Kelley, later going to the barn of William Douglass. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1945 and stood at Idle Hour Farm near Lexington. He died of a ruptured aorta in 1955.



Pedigree notes

Blue Swords is inbred 5x5 to 1880 Derby Stakes winner Bend Or and to two-time American Horse of the Year Commando. He is a full brother to Bluehaze, dam of 1962 Misty Isle Stakes winner Dinner Partner (by Tom Fool). Dinner Partner, in turn, is the dam of 1971 Santa Anita Derby winner Jim French (by Graustark), 1970 Maskette Handicap winner Native Partner (by Raise a Native), 1981 Prix de Royallieu (FR-G3) Don't Sulk (by Graustark), multiple stakes winner Bill Bonbright (by Raise a Native), and English stakes winner Triomphe (by Hoist the Flag), and is the second dam of 1987 English and French champion sprinter Ajdal, 1977 Middle Park Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Formidable, 1982 Fantasy Stakes (USA-G1) winner Flying Partner, 1999 Prix Lupin (FR-G1) winner Gracioso, Grade 2 winner Caesour, and Group 3 winners Fabuleux Jane and Dancing Sunset.

Flaming Swords, the dam of Blue Swords, also produced Jo Bonner (by Pharamond II), second dam of three stakes winners including 1967 Bay Meadows Handicap winner No Host (by Your Host) and third dam of Grade 3 winner Lee Gary. Produced from Exalted, a High Time half sister to 1925 American champion 3-year-old male American Flag (by Man o' War) and two other stakes winners, she is a full sister to Pomp and Glory, second dam of 1951 Sapling Stakes winner Landseair.


Photo credit

Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.



Last updated: November 12, 2020

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