From the private collection of Dale Wyatt. Used by permission.
A sound and hardy mare, Elpis won the classic Coaching Club American Oaks at 3 but reached her peak as a 5-year-old, when she was one of the best handicap mares in the country in a tough division that included Gallorette, Honeymoon, Bridal Flower, Beaugay, Be Faithful, Happy Issue and Miss Grillo. Unfortunately, she produced only three foals in a broodmare career marked by frequent barrenness.
Race record
60 starts, 17 wins, 9 seconds, 15 thirds, US$231,675
1945:
1946:
1947:
1948:
Assessments
Ranked second among American older females of 1947 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown mare; no other information available.
As a producer
Elpis produced three named foals. All three started and won, and all were of some importance on the track or in the breeding shed.
Connections
Elpis was bred by Mrs. John D. Hertz. She was owned by William G. Helis. She was trained by William Booth at 3, by R. G. Folke at 4 and by A. F. Skelton at 5. She was owned by Henry H. Knight and later by G. M. Humphrey as a broodmare and was last reported as having been barren in 1963.
Pedigree notes
Elpis is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to 1939 Stars and Stripes Handicap winner Count d'Or (by Reigh Count) and to Pure Gold (by Blenheim II), third dam of Colombian Grade II winner Hurry to Dance.
Elpis's dam Faucille d'Or never raced never raced and was imported to the United States by John D. Hertz. She was produced from Luzerne, whose sire Ossian won the 1911 Prix du Presidente de la Republique (now the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud) and other good races. The next dam in Elpis's tail-female line, Fourragere (by Palais Royal), also produced 1910 Grand Criterium winner Faucheur (by Perth) and is a full sister to Grand Prix de Deauville winner Fourire and to Fouilleopo, third dam of three-time American champion Black Maria.
Fun facts
Race record
60 starts, 17 wins, 9 seconds, 15 thirds, US$231,675
1945:
- Won Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Hannah Dustin Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Suffolk Downs)
- 2nd Delaware Oaks (USA, 9FD, Delaware)
- 3rd Comely Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- 3rd Gazelle Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Aqueduct)
1946:
- Won Hannah Dustin Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Suffolk Downs)
- 3rd Molly Pitcher Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Monmouth)
1947:
- Won Comely Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Empire City)
- Won Edgemere Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won New Castle Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Delaware)
- Won Hannah Dustin Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Suffolk Downs)
- Won Miss America Handicap (USA, 9FD, Atlantic City)
- Won Molly Pitcher Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Massachusetts Handicap (USA, 9FD, Suffolk)
- 2nd Olympic Handicap (USA, 10FD, Atlantic City)
- 3rd Beldame Handicap (second division) (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Aqueduct Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Boardwalk Handicap (USA, 9FD, Atlantic City)
1948:
- 2nd Santa Margarita Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd New Castle Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Delaware)
- 2nd Vineland Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- 3rd Trenton Handicap (USA, 9FD, Garden State)
Assessments
Ranked second among American older females of 1947 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown mare; no other information available.
As a producer
Elpis produced three named foals. All three started and won, and all were of some importance on the track or in the breeding shed.
- Blue Elpis (1952, by Rippey) won once from seven starts. She is the second dam of 1981 Gran Polla de Potrillos (Uruguayan Two Thousand Guineas, URU-I) winner Virazon and Uruguayan Group III winner Morocco and the third dam of Uruguayan Group III winner Pamphilla.
- Mehdi (1954, by Mahmoud) won the 1957 Prix du Lys.
- Miss Quick (1956, by Djeddah) placed in two stakes races. The second dam of seven stakes winners, she is the third dam of Grade III winner Baytown..
Connections
Elpis was bred by Mrs. John D. Hertz. She was owned by William G. Helis. She was trained by William Booth at 3, by R. G. Folke at 4 and by A. F. Skelton at 5. She was owned by Henry H. Knight and later by G. M. Humphrey as a broodmare and was last reported as having been barren in 1963.
Pedigree notes
Elpis is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to 1939 Stars and Stripes Handicap winner Count d'Or (by Reigh Count) and to Pure Gold (by Blenheim II), third dam of Colombian Grade II winner Hurry to Dance.
Elpis's dam Faucille d'Or never raced never raced and was imported to the United States by John D. Hertz. She was produced from Luzerne, whose sire Ossian won the 1911 Prix du Presidente de la Republique (now the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud) and other good races. The next dam in Elpis's tail-female line, Fourragere (by Palais Royal), also produced 1910 Grand Criterium winner Faucheur (by Perth) and is a full sister to Grand Prix de Deauville winner Fourire and to Fouilleopo, third dam of three-time American champion Black Maria.
Fun facts
- In Greek mythology, Elpis was the name for the personification of hope.