Bourtai (USA)
1942 – 1970
Stimulus (USA) x Escutcheon (USA), by Sir Gallahad III (FR)
Family 9-f
"GENETIC GEM"
1942 – 1970
Stimulus (USA) x Escutcheon (USA), by Sir Gallahad III (FR)
Family 9-f
"GENETIC GEM"
Bourtai was better than an empty stall as a racer, but she was far from a top-class runner and ran only as a 2-year-old. It was as a broodmare that she was destined to make a great name for herself, producing one champion and two Kentucky Broodmares of the Year among her five stakes winners. Her descendants have bred on in spectacular fashion, making Bourtai one of the great American foundation mares of the 20th century.
Race record
12 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, $3,850
1944:
As an individual
A lengthy, feminine bay mare, Bourtai was a little more upright than the ideal in the shoulder but had strong hindquarters and good substance.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Bourtai produced 13 named foals. All 13 started and 12 were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Bourtai was bred by Marshall Field III. She was owned by Sylvester Labrot, Jr., who bought her for US$5,500 from the 1943 Fasig-Tipton Lexington sale. She was trained by Charles Sutphin. Due to Labrot's failing health, he sold Bourtai to Claiborne Farm in 1951 as part of a package deal that included Labrot's other eight broodmares.
Pedigree notes
Bourtai is outcrossed through five generations. She is a full sister to multiple juvenile stakes winner Strange Device, dam of stakes winners Abstract (by Isolater) and Metal Mike (by Pilate), and to Akron Gal, second dam of 1967 Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap winner War Censor and 1967 Salvator Mile Handicap winner Swoonaway. Bourtai is also a half sister to 1937 Kentucky Oaks winner Mars Shield (by Diavolo), dam of 1954 Jersey Belle Stakes winner Turf Sun (by Sun Again); to stakes winner By Far (by Bold Gallant); and to stakes-placed Demolition (by Foray II), second dam of 1962 American co-champion 2-year-old filly Smart Deb, 1970 Manhattan Handicap winner Shelter Bay and 1964 Swaps Handicap winner Cap Size. Two other half sisters to Bourtai are Escarpment (by Diavolo), dam of the stakes-winning steeplechaser Escarp (by Caruso), and Merida, second dam of Venezuelan Group 2 winner Penmarik.
Bourtai and her siblings are out of 1930 Alabama Stakes winner Escutcheon (by Sir Gallahad III), a half sister to 1922 Test Stakes winner Emotion (by Friar Rock; dam of 1928 American champion 2-year-old male High Strung, by High Time) and to stakes winners Sanford (by Sir Martin) and Flat Iron (by Friar Rock). Produced from the Isidor mare Affection, Escutcheon is also a half sister to Heloise (by Friar Rock), dam of six stakes winners including 1935 American champion 2-year-old male Tintagel (by Sir Gallahad III), and to Hug Again (by Stimulus), dam of the good stakes winners Sun Again (by Sun Teddy; a good sire for Calumet Farm), Fervent (by Blenheim II) and Arrogate (by Goya II).
Books and media
Fun facts
Photo credit
Bourtai, taken by Joel Clyne Meadors at Claiborne Farm on December 1, 1956. From the Keeneland Library Meadors Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions related to use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
12 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, $3,850
1944:
- Won Pimlico Nursery (USA, 5FD, Pimlico)
As an individual
A lengthy, feminine bay mare, Bourtai was a little more upright than the ideal in the shoulder but had strong hindquarters and good substance.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Bourtai produced 13 named foals. All 13 started and 12 were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
- Banta (1949, by Some Chance) won a division of the 1954 Correction Handicap. She is the dam of 1962 Golden Gate Handicap winner Mandate (by Prince John), the second dam of 1973 American champion 2-year-old filly Talking Picture and 1966 Grey Lag Handicap winner Selari, and the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Big Spruce, 1988 Goffs Irish One Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Trusted Partner, and the top-class mare Manta. Banta is also the third dam of Italian Group 2 winner Easy to Copy and Grade 3 winner Low Key Affair.
- Delta (1952, by Nasrullah) won six stakes races including the 1954 Arlington Lassie Stakes and the 1956 Arlington Matron Handicap. She is the dam of 1969 Wood Memorial Stakes winner Dike (by Herbager), 1975 San Pasqual Handicap (USA-G2) winner Okavango (by Herbager), 1967 New Orleans Handicap winner Cabildo (by Round Table), multiple stakes winner Canal (by Round Table), and stakes winner Shore (by Round Table). The last-named filly is the second dam of seven stakes winners including multiple French Group 1 winner Croco Rouge and Zimbabwean Group 3 winner Frogwatch. Returning to Delta, she is also the second dam of 1987 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Polonia and Grade 3 winners Naples and Peat Moss and the third dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Champagne, 2002 New Zealand Derby (NZ-G1) winner St Reims, 1990 Pegasus Handicap (USA-G1) winner Silver Ending, 1993 Charles H. Strub Stakes (USA-G1) winner Siberian Summer, and English Group 3 winner Magnificient Style.
- Levee (1953, by Hill Prince) numbered the 1956 Coaching Club American Oaks and Beldame Handicap among her four stakes wins. She is the dam of two-time American champion older female Shuvee (by Nashua), 1963 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winner Nalee (by Nashua), 1966 Ak-Sar-Ben Cornhusker Stakes winner Royal Gunner (by Royal Charger) and stakes winner A. T.'s Olie (by Mongo). She is the second dam of 1976 Irish St. Leger (IRE-G1) winner Meneval, and Grade/Group 3 winners Tom Swift, Benefice, and Shudanz. She is also the third dam of 1987 American champion 3-year-old filly Sacahuista, Group 2 winners Silk Slippers and Nicholas, and Grade/Group 3 winners Foretake, No Bend, Great Boss, and Manzotti.
- Bayou (1954, by Hill Prince) was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1957. She is the dam of Batteur (by Bold Ruler), who won six good stakes races at ages 4 through 6. Bayou is the second dam of two-time American champion Slew o' Gold, 1979 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Coastal, 1987 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G1) winner Slew's Exceller, and Grade 3 winner Flag Officer. She is also the third dam of 1980 Turf Classic Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Anifa, 1995 Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1) winner Sleep Easy, multiple Grade 1 winner Aptitude, and Grade 3 winner Country Light.
- Ambassador (1957, by Nasrullah) was a stakes winner over hurdles.
Connections
Foaled at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky, Bourtai was bred by Marshall Field III. She was owned by Sylvester Labrot, Jr., who bought her for US$5,500 from the 1943 Fasig-Tipton Lexington sale. She was trained by Charles Sutphin. Due to Labrot's failing health, he sold Bourtai to Claiborne Farm in 1951 as part of a package deal that included Labrot's other eight broodmares.
Pedigree notes
Bourtai is outcrossed through five generations. She is a full sister to multiple juvenile stakes winner Strange Device, dam of stakes winners Abstract (by Isolater) and Metal Mike (by Pilate), and to Akron Gal, second dam of 1967 Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap winner War Censor and 1967 Salvator Mile Handicap winner Swoonaway. Bourtai is also a half sister to 1937 Kentucky Oaks winner Mars Shield (by Diavolo), dam of 1954 Jersey Belle Stakes winner Turf Sun (by Sun Again); to stakes winner By Far (by Bold Gallant); and to stakes-placed Demolition (by Foray II), second dam of 1962 American co-champion 2-year-old filly Smart Deb, 1970 Manhattan Handicap winner Shelter Bay and 1964 Swaps Handicap winner Cap Size. Two other half sisters to Bourtai are Escarpment (by Diavolo), dam of the stakes-winning steeplechaser Escarp (by Caruso), and Merida, second dam of Venezuelan Group 2 winner Penmarik.
Bourtai and her siblings are out of 1930 Alabama Stakes winner Escutcheon (by Sir Gallahad III), a half sister to 1922 Test Stakes winner Emotion (by Friar Rock; dam of 1928 American champion 2-year-old male High Strung, by High Time) and to stakes winners Sanford (by Sir Martin) and Flat Iron (by Friar Rock). Produced from the Isidor mare Affection, Escutcheon is also a half sister to Heloise (by Friar Rock), dam of six stakes winners including 1935 American champion 2-year-old male Tintagel (by Sir Gallahad III), and to Hug Again (by Stimulus), dam of the good stakes winners Sun Again (by Sun Teddy; a good sire for Calumet Farm), Fervent (by Blenheim II) and Arrogate (by Goya II).
Books and media
- Bourtai is one of 24 broodmares profiled in Edward Bowen's Matriarchs: Great Mares of the 20th Century (1999, 2000, The Blood-Horse, Inc.).
- Bourtai and her daughter Delta are profiled together in Chapter 46 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Oustanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Fun facts
- In history, Bourtai was the name of the first wife of Genghis Khan. She is supposed to have saved her husband's life several times by warning him of plots against him and was his chief wife throughout their life together.
Photo credit
Bourtai, taken by Joel Clyne Meadors at Claiborne Farm on December 1, 1956. From the Keeneland Library Meadors Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions related to use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024