Foolish Pleasure (USA)
March 23, 1972 – November 17, 1994
What a Pleasure (USA) x Fool-Me-Not (USA), by Tom Fool (USA)
Family 14-b
March 23, 1972 – November 17, 1994
What a Pleasure (USA) x Fool-Me-Not (USA), by Tom Fool (USA)
Family 14-b
A thoroughly game competitor who was among the best of his generation at ages 2 through 4, Foolish Pleasure is too often remembered as the “other horse” in the 1975 match race that took Ruffian's life. He deserves to be remembered on his own merits as a champion, an American Classic winner, and a sire.
Race record
26 starts, 16 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,216,705
1974:
1975:
1976:
Honors
Assessments
Foolish Pleasure was rated #97 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1974, 2 pounds above Canadian champion 2-year-old male and Horse of the Year L'Enjoleur.
Co-highweighted with champion Wajima at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1975, 1 pound above Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Avatar and Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Master Derby.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1976, 14 pounds below Horse of the Year Forego but tied for second with Master Derby and Royal Glint.
As an individual
Foolish Pleasure stood 16 hands at maturity. He was rather heavy-bodied but well-balanced although he turned out on both forefeet and was slightly back at the knee. He was a nasty-tempered animal but very game. He suffered his first loss in the Florida Derby after tearing the frogs off both forefeet. He was difficult to teach and needed lessons repeated again and again, particularly when it came to submitting himself to being haltered and allowing his head to be handled.
As a stallion
Foolish Pleasure led the 1980 American freshman sire list according to The Blood-Horse. According to The Jockey Club, Foolish Pleasure sired 484 winners (61.6%) and 41 stakes winners (8.5%) from 484 named foals. His stud career was somewhat hampered by fertility issues.
Notable progeny
Baiser Vole (USA), Bayford (CAN), Kiri's Clown (USA), Marfa (USA), Maudlin (USA), Prayers'm Promises (USA), Vin de France (USA), What Nonsense (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Caitano (GB), Nydrion (USA), Scenic (IRE)
Connections
Foolish Pleasure was bred in Florida by Waldemar Farms, Inc. He was owned by John L. Greer, who purchased the colt for US$20,000 from the 1973 Saratoga yearling sale. He entered stud at Greentree Stud in 1977 after being syndicated for US$4.5 million. He later moved to Mint Lane Farm and Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky before being moved out to Kerr Stock Farm in California. He was purchased by Ron Vanderhoef in September 1993 and taken to his final home at Horseshoe Ranch, Dayton, Wyoming, where he died of a ruptured stomach on November 17, 1994.
Books and media
Foolish Pleasure is profiled in Chapter 10 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Pedigree notes
Foolish Pleasure is inbred 4x4 to Blenheim II. He is a half brother to stakes winner Jr. Bigsmoke (by Hangover). His half sister Nowmepache (by Hangover) is the dam of stakes winner Mepache (by Iron Constitution); the second dam of Grade 2 winner Valid Wager, Grade 3 winners Valid Expectations and Little Sister; and the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Jersey Girl, 2005 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1) winner Purge, and Australian Group 3 winner St Petersburg. Foolish Pleasure is also a half brother to Annotation (by Commentator), dam of two minor stakes winners. Foolish Pleasure's dam Fool-Me Not is a half sister to stakes producers Salka (by Pharis II), Flying Cross (by Citation) and Revamp (by Revoked). His second dam is the stakes-winning Tourbillon mare Cuadrilla, a half sister to 1953 Eclipse Stakes winner Argur (by Tourbillon's champion son Djebel) and stakes winner Pensacola (by Marsyas).
Fun facts
Last updated: January 19, 2024
Race record
26 starts, 16 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,216,705
1974:
- Won Champagne Stakes (USA-G1, 8FT, Belmont)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (second division) (USA-G1, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
- Won Sapling Stakes (USA-G1, 6FD, Monmouth)
- Won Cowdin Stakes (USA-G2, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Tremont Stakes (USA-G3, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Dover Stakes (first division) (USA-G3, 5.5FD, Delaware)
1975:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Flamingo Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Hialeah)
- Won Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won match race w/Ruffian (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Governor Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Florida Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Gulfstream)
1976:
- Won Arlington Golden Invitational Handicap (USA, 9FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Suburban Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Donn Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Brooklyn Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Bel Air Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Hollywood)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1995)
- Eclipse Award, American champion 2-year-old male (1974)
Assessments
Foolish Pleasure was rated #97 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1974, 2 pounds above Canadian champion 2-year-old male and Horse of the Year L'Enjoleur.
Co-highweighted with champion Wajima at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1975, 1 pound above Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Avatar and Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Master Derby.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1976, 14 pounds below Horse of the Year Forego but tied for second with Master Derby and Royal Glint.
As an individual
Foolish Pleasure stood 16 hands at maturity. He was rather heavy-bodied but well-balanced although he turned out on both forefeet and was slightly back at the knee. He was a nasty-tempered animal but very game. He suffered his first loss in the Florida Derby after tearing the frogs off both forefeet. He was difficult to teach and needed lessons repeated again and again, particularly when it came to submitting himself to being haltered and allowing his head to be handled.
As a stallion
Foolish Pleasure led the 1980 American freshman sire list according to The Blood-Horse. According to The Jockey Club, Foolish Pleasure sired 484 winners (61.6%) and 41 stakes winners (8.5%) from 484 named foals. His stud career was somewhat hampered by fertility issues.
Notable progeny
Baiser Vole (USA), Bayford (CAN), Kiri's Clown (USA), Marfa (USA), Maudlin (USA), Prayers'm Promises (USA), Vin de France (USA), What Nonsense (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Caitano (GB), Nydrion (USA), Scenic (IRE)
Connections
Foolish Pleasure was bred in Florida by Waldemar Farms, Inc. He was owned by John L. Greer, who purchased the colt for US$20,000 from the 1973 Saratoga yearling sale. He entered stud at Greentree Stud in 1977 after being syndicated for US$4.5 million. He later moved to Mint Lane Farm and Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky before being moved out to Kerr Stock Farm in California. He was purchased by Ron Vanderhoef in September 1993 and taken to his final home at Horseshoe Ranch, Dayton, Wyoming, where he died of a ruptured stomach on November 17, 1994.
Books and media
Foolish Pleasure is profiled in Chapter 10 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Pedigree notes
Foolish Pleasure is inbred 4x4 to Blenheim II. He is a half brother to stakes winner Jr. Bigsmoke (by Hangover). His half sister Nowmepache (by Hangover) is the dam of stakes winner Mepache (by Iron Constitution); the second dam of Grade 2 winner Valid Wager, Grade 3 winners Valid Expectations and Little Sister; and the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Jersey Girl, 2005 Hill 'N' Dale Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1) winner Purge, and Australian Group 3 winner St Petersburg. Foolish Pleasure is also a half brother to Annotation (by Commentator), dam of two minor stakes winners. Foolish Pleasure's dam Fool-Me Not is a half sister to stakes producers Salka (by Pharis II), Flying Cross (by Citation) and Revamp (by Revoked). His second dam is the stakes-winning Tourbillon mare Cuadrilla, a half sister to 1953 Eclipse Stakes winner Argur (by Tourbillon's champion son Djebel) and stakes winner Pensacola (by Marsyas).
Fun facts
- Following Ruffian's breakdown in their match race, Foolish Pleasure completed the 1¼ miles in 2:02-4/5, excellent time for what had effectively become a walkover.
- The Foolish Pleasure Stakes was inaugurated in 1980 at Calder Race Course. The race was originally for 2-year-olds and was carded at a mile and 70 yards on dirt. It later became a Florida Sires Stakes race for 3-year-olds but was discontinued after the 2016 renewal.
Last updated: January 19, 2024