Gris Vitesse (USA)
March 2, 1966 – 1986?
Amerigo (GB) x Matchiche II (FR), by Mât de Cocagne (FR)
Family 21-a
March 2, 1966 – 1986?
Amerigo (GB) x Matchiche II (FR), by Mât de Cocagne (FR)
Family 21-a
Gris Vitesse had only a brief racing career but proved that she was a top-class miler when in the mood. (That she was temperamental was hardly surprising given the notoriously cantankerous disposition of her sire and the extreme excitability of her broodmare sire, the top French racehorse Mât de Cocagne.) Her broodmare career was on a similar level of merit as she produced the fine sire Silver Hawk and two good producing daughters.
Race record
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, 216,965 French francs
1968:
1969:
As an individual
A gray mare, Gris Vitesse was extremely high-strung but had a brilliant closing kick.
As a producer
Gris Vitesse produced 13 foals, of which eight started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Gris Vitesse was bred and owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, who bred her first three foals. She was then purchased for US$36,000 at the 1975 Keeneland November mixed sale by Robin Scully, who bred her next four foals in the names of Scully Estates, Ltd.; General Agricultural Services, Ltd.; and Clovelly Farms. Gris Vitesse's final owner was Mahmoud Fustok, who bred her remaining foals in the name of his Buckram Oak Farm.
Pedigree notes
Gris Vitesse is inbred 3x5 to Pharos, a champion sire in both England and France, and 5x5x5 to three-time French champion sire Rabelais. She is a half sister to French stakes winner Clems Match (by Clem). She is also a half sister to Matamata (by Nashua), dam of stakes winner Swallow (by Gregorian).
Gris Vitesse is out of 1959 Prix de la Nonette winner Matchiche II (by the high-class French racer Mât de Cocagne), herself a half sister to 1962 San Luis Rey Handicap winner Vinci (by Ribot); to French stakes winner Le Courtillet (by L'epinay); and to Chimmy (by Majestic Prince), dam of Peruvian stakes winner Bush Princess (by Bushido). The next dam in Gris Vitesse's tail-female line, Chimere Fabuleuse (by 1945 Prix du Jockey Club winner Coaraze), won the 1954 Prix de la Nonette and is a half sister to 1951 Grand Steeplechase de Paris winner Nagara (by Astrophel) and to stakes winner Nichilodas (by Bois Josselyn).
Fun facts
Last updated: February 7, 2021
Race record
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, 216,965 French francs
1968:
- Won Prix Yacowlef (FR, 1000mT, Deauville)
1969:
- Won Prix Jacques le Marois (FR, 1600mT, Deauville)
As an individual
A gray mare, Gris Vitesse was extremely high-strung but had a brilliant closing kick.
As a producer
Gris Vitesse produced 13 foals, of which eight started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Papal Decree (1976, by Noble Decree) won once in nine starts. She is the dam of 1985 Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1) winner Papal Power (by Miswaki), the second dam of Grade 2 winner Aggie Engineer and the third dam of Grade 3 winners Betty's Wish and Wishful Tomcat.
- Blast Off (1977, by Graustark) won the 1980 Prix des Suresnes and ran second in the 1980 Prix Greffulhe (FR-G2).
- Silver Hawk (1979, by Roberto) won the 1982 Craven Stakes (ENG-G3) and was second in the 1982 Irish Sweeps Derby (IRE-G1); he was also third in the 1982 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1). He became a good stallion, siring 77 stakes winners from 862 named foals.
- Beautiful Bedouin (1964, by His Majesty) never raced but is the dam of Grade 2 winner Wandering Star (by Red Ransom) and restricted stakes winner Major Hero (by Major Impact). She is the second dam of 2013 Dewhurst Stakes (ENG-G1) winner War Command, 2012 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) winner Rollout the Carpet, and French Group 3 winner Naval Officer and is the third dam of 2021 Frank E. Kilroe Miles Stakes (USA-G1) winner Hit the Road and South African Group 2 winner Demanding Lady..
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Gris Vitesse was bred and owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, who bred her first three foals. She was then purchased for US$36,000 at the 1975 Keeneland November mixed sale by Robin Scully, who bred her next four foals in the names of Scully Estates, Ltd.; General Agricultural Services, Ltd.; and Clovelly Farms. Gris Vitesse's final owner was Mahmoud Fustok, who bred her remaining foals in the name of his Buckram Oak Farm.
Pedigree notes
Gris Vitesse is inbred 3x5 to Pharos, a champion sire in both England and France, and 5x5x5 to three-time French champion sire Rabelais. She is a half sister to French stakes winner Clems Match (by Clem). She is also a half sister to Matamata (by Nashua), dam of stakes winner Swallow (by Gregorian).
Gris Vitesse is out of 1959 Prix de la Nonette winner Matchiche II (by the high-class French racer Mât de Cocagne), herself a half sister to 1962 San Luis Rey Handicap winner Vinci (by Ribot); to French stakes winner Le Courtillet (by L'epinay); and to Chimmy (by Majestic Prince), dam of Peruvian stakes winner Bush Princess (by Bushido). The next dam in Gris Vitesse's tail-female line, Chimere Fabuleuse (by 1945 Prix du Jockey Club winner Coaraze), won the 1954 Prix de la Nonette and is a half sister to 1951 Grand Steeplechase de Paris winner Nagara (by Astrophel) and to stakes winner Nichilodas (by Bois Josselyn).
Fun facts
- Gris Vitesse means “gray speed” in French.
Last updated: February 7, 2021