Fairy Chant made her money the hard way, racing in the closing years of the Great Depression and not infrequently against males. While she did not have a high win-loss percentage, she was tough and honest in competition against all comers. She had some success as a broodmare.
Race record
42 starts, 10 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds, US$81,985
1939:
1940:
1941:
Honors
American champion handicap female (1941)
Assessments
Although there was no official voting for a champion in the American 3-year-old filly division in 1940, The Blood-Horse ranked Fairy Chant at the head of her crop.
As an individual
A chestnut mare of staying type, Fairy Chant had the excellent shoulder, good bone, and high head carriage typical of Fair Play, to whom she was inbred. She was indifferent as to track conditions and could be placed according to her jockey’s best judgment.
As a producer
Fairy Chant produced 14 named foals, of which 10 started and eight won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Fairy Chant was bred by William duPont Jr., who raced her in the name of his Foxcatcher Farm. She was trained by Richard Handlen. She remained in duPont’s ownership throughout her broodmare career. She last appears in the produce records as having not been covered in 1966.
Pedigree notes
Fairy Chant is inbred 2x4 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play and 4x5 to 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand. She is a half sister to 1937 Santa Anita Derby winner Fairy Hill (by Messenger, by Fair Play) and to 1943 Lawrence Realization Stakes winner Fairy Manhurst (by Man o’ War). She is also a half sister to Fairy Palace (by Pilate), dam of three-time American champion Parlo, 1965 California Derby winner Perfect Sky (by Western Sky II), and stakes winner Pan Dancer (by Native Dancer); second dam of Grade 2 winner Mongongo; and ancestress of American champions Arts and Letters, Silverbulletday, and Zaccio.
Fairy Chant’s dam Star Fairy was sired by 1926 English champion 2-year-old male The Satrap. She is a half sister to 1941 Hollywood Derby winner Staretor (by Messenger) and to Star Galla (by Sir Gallahad III), second dam of 1949 Ladies Handicap winner Gaffery. Star Fairy, in turn, is out of Fair Star (by Wrack), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1926. A half sister to 1934 Preakness Stakes winner High Quest (by Sir Gallahad III) and to 1937 Test Stakes winner Evening Tide (by Bull Dog), Fair Star is out of the Fair Play mare Etoile Filante, a full sister to 1932 American champion sire Chatterton.
Last updated: April 3, 2024
Race record
42 starts, 10 wins, 8 seconds, 8 thirds, US$81,985
1939:
- Won Everglades Stakes (USA, 6FD, Hialeah)
- 3rd Astoria Stakes (USA, 5FD, Aqueduct)
1940:
- Won Beldame Handicap (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Pimlico Oaks (USA, 8.5FD, Pimlico)
- Won Santa Margarita Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Gazelle Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Acorn Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Alabama Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Diana Handicap (USA, 9FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Test Stakes (USA, 7FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Ladies' Handicap (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Delaware Oaks (USA, 9FD, Delaware Park)
1941:
- Won Beldame Handicap (USA, 9FD, Beldame)
- Won Hannah Dustin Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Suffolk Downs)
- Won New Castle Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Delaware Park)
- Won Wilson Stakes (USA, 8FD, Saratoga)
- Won Diana Handicap (USA, 9FD, Saratoga)
Honors
American champion handicap female (1941)
Assessments
Although there was no official voting for a champion in the American 3-year-old filly division in 1940, The Blood-Horse ranked Fairy Chant at the head of her crop.
As an individual
A chestnut mare of staying type, Fairy Chant had the excellent shoulder, good bone, and high head carriage typical of Fair Play, to whom she was inbred. She was indifferent as to track conditions and could be placed according to her jockey’s best judgment.
As a producer
Fairy Chant produced 14 named foals, of which 10 started and eight won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Chevation (1951, by Alibhai) won seven good stakes races including the 1954 Yankee Handicap, the 1955 Saratoga Cup, and the 1956 Dixie Handicap. He sired two minor stakes winners from 47 named foals of racing age.
- Chantaway (1956, by Auralia) never raced but produced the minor stakes winner Classic Charcoal (by Degage).
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Fairy Chant was bred by William duPont Jr., who raced her in the name of his Foxcatcher Farm. She was trained by Richard Handlen. She remained in duPont’s ownership throughout her broodmare career. She last appears in the produce records as having not been covered in 1966.
Pedigree notes
Fairy Chant is inbred 2x4 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play and 4x5 to 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand. She is a half sister to 1937 Santa Anita Derby winner Fairy Hill (by Messenger, by Fair Play) and to 1943 Lawrence Realization Stakes winner Fairy Manhurst (by Man o’ War). She is also a half sister to Fairy Palace (by Pilate), dam of three-time American champion Parlo, 1965 California Derby winner Perfect Sky (by Western Sky II), and stakes winner Pan Dancer (by Native Dancer); second dam of Grade 2 winner Mongongo; and ancestress of American champions Arts and Letters, Silverbulletday, and Zaccio.
Fairy Chant’s dam Star Fairy was sired by 1926 English champion 2-year-old male The Satrap. She is a half sister to 1941 Hollywood Derby winner Staretor (by Messenger) and to Star Galla (by Sir Gallahad III), second dam of 1949 Ladies Handicap winner Gaffery. Star Fairy, in turn, is out of Fair Star (by Wrack), generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1926. A half sister to 1934 Preakness Stakes winner High Quest (by Sir Gallahad III) and to 1937 Test Stakes winner Evening Tide (by Bull Dog), Fair Star is out of the Fair Play mare Etoile Filante, a full sister to 1932 American champion sire Chatterton.
Last updated: April 3, 2024