Housebuster (USA)
March 7, 1987 – May 15, 2005
Mt. Livermore (USA) x Big Dreams (USA), by Great Above (USA)
Family 13
March 7, 1987 – May 15, 2005
Mt. Livermore (USA) x Big Dreams (USA), by Great Above (USA)
Family 13
After Housebuster won the 1990 Derby Trial (USA-G3) by 5¼ lengths—his fourth graded triumph in a row—trainer Warren “Jimmy” Croll Jr. was asked if Housebuster might go in the Kentucky Derby (USA-G1). Wisely, Croll and owner Robert Levy refused to consider the Derby and kept Housebuster where he belonged as a brilliant sprinter-miler. Croll’s judgment was vindicated by two American sprint championships for his star. Unfortunately, Housebuster was not nearly as good a sire as he had been a racehorse.
Race record
22 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$1,229,626
1989:
1990:
1991:
Honors
Assessments
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1990, 2 pounds above Dayjur.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1991, 1 pound above Black Tie Affair.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse, Housebuster never started at distances beyond a mile. His stride was well balanced and quick rather than lengthy, and he had an explosive turn of foot. He had an excellent disposition. He was sidelined by a lung infection following an unplaced finish in the 1990 Vosburgh Stakes and was retired to stud after suffering a suspensory injury in the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (USA-G1). According to trainer Jimmy Croll, "Buster" was "the smartest horse I've ever had."
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Housebuster sired 456 winners (60.7%) and 36 stakes winners (4.8%) from 751 named foals. He was primarily a source of speed as a sire.
Notable progeny
Bahamian Pirate (USA), Electronic Unicorn (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Hardest Core (USA), Luthier Blues (ARG)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Housebuster was bred by Murphy Stable and Blanche P. Levy. He was owned by Ms. Levy’s son, Robert P. Levy. He was trained by Ronald Benshoff at 2 and by Jimmy Croll at ages 3 and 4. He was ridden by Craig Perret throughout his championship seasons except for the 1990 Hutcheson Stakes, when he was ridden by Randy Romero. He entered stud in 1992 in Kentucky at Jonabell Farm. In 1998, Housebuster was sold to Japanese interests and exported to stand at East Stud. He returned to the United States in 2001 and stood the 2002-2004 Northern Hemisphere seasons at Blue Ridge Stud in Virginia. He moved to O’Sullivan Farms in West Virginia for 2005 and died there in May 2005. He was buried at Avonlea Farm in Virginia.
Pedigree notes
Housebuster is inbred 4x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, who was also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is a full brother to Dreamscape, dam of multiple stakes winner Tax Refund (by Artax) and Grade 3-placed stakes winner Sophia’s Song (by Bellamy Road) and (through Sophia's Song) second dam of 2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bright Future. He is a half brother to 2003 Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Quero Quero (by Royal Academy), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Praia (by Distorted Humor), and to minor stakes winner Cat Buster (by Tale of the Cat). He is also a half brother to Night and Dreams (by Fappiano), dam of French Group 3 winner Deep Sleep (by Rahy) and Grade 2-placed restricted stakes winner Live Your Dreams (by Mt. Livermore) and third dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Elysea’s World. In addition, Housebuster is a half brother to Desireux (by Fappiano), third dam of multiple Canadian Grade 2 winner Something Extra, Grade 2 winner Nicole H., and Grade 3 winner Straight No Chaser.
Housebuster is out of multiple sprint stakes winner Big Dreams, whose stakes-placed half sister Gentle Kelly (by Gentle King) is the dam of multiple stakes winner Carrie Can (by Saratoga Six) and the second dam of Grade 2 winners Be Gentle and Harvard Avenue. Big Dreams is also a half sister to Dolphin’s Queen (by Gentle King), dam of restricted stakes winner Maddie’s Promise and third dam of Grade 3 winner Wildcat Lily.
Big Dreams, in turn, is out of Dolphins Dream (by multiple stakes winner New Prospect, by Never Bend), whose dam Green Dolphin (by Johns Joy) is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Fly By Venus (by Dark Star), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner North of Venus (by Northern Dancer). The female line came to the United States in 1880 via the Victorious mare Kapanga, dam of three-time American champion older male and two-time American champion sire Kingston (by Spendthrift).
Books and media
Video footage of several of Housebuster’s races can be accessed via Bob Ehalt’s article “Housebuster: Electrifying Speed” (https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2020-housebuster-electrifying-speed), which was published on America’s Best Racing on September 28, 2020.
Fun facts
Last updated: February 21, 2024
Race record
22 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$1,229,626
1989:
- Won Morven Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA, 6FD, The Meadowlands)
1990:
- Won Jerome Handicap (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Withers Stakes (USA-G2, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Sheridan Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won King's Bishop Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Saratoga)
- Won Derby Trial Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Lafayette Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Keeneland)
- Won Swale Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, GP)
- Won Hutcheson Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- Won Spectacular Bid Stakes (USA-L, 6FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Metropolitan H. (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
1991:
- Won Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Carter Handicap (USA-G1, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Forego Handicap (USA-G2, 7FD, Saratoga)
- Won Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash Stakes (USA-L, 6FD, Laurel)
- 2nd Commonwealth Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-G3, 7FD, Keeneland)
- 2nd Deputy Minister Handicap (USA-L, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2013)
- Eclipse Award, American champion sprinter (1990, 1991)
Assessments
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1990, 2 pounds above Dayjur.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American male sprinters of 1991, 1 pound above Black Tie Affair.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse, Housebuster never started at distances beyond a mile. His stride was well balanced and quick rather than lengthy, and he had an explosive turn of foot. He had an excellent disposition. He was sidelined by a lung infection following an unplaced finish in the 1990 Vosburgh Stakes and was retired to stud after suffering a suspensory injury in the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (USA-G1). According to trainer Jimmy Croll, "Buster" was "the smartest horse I've ever had."
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Housebuster sired 456 winners (60.7%) and 36 stakes winners (4.8%) from 751 named foals. He was primarily a source of speed as a sire.
Notable progeny
Bahamian Pirate (USA), Electronic Unicorn (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Hardest Core (USA), Luthier Blues (ARG)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Housebuster was bred by Murphy Stable and Blanche P. Levy. He was owned by Ms. Levy’s son, Robert P. Levy. He was trained by Ronald Benshoff at 2 and by Jimmy Croll at ages 3 and 4. He was ridden by Craig Perret throughout his championship seasons except for the 1990 Hutcheson Stakes, when he was ridden by Randy Romero. He entered stud in 1992 in Kentucky at Jonabell Farm. In 1998, Housebuster was sold to Japanese interests and exported to stand at East Stud. He returned to the United States in 2001 and stood the 2002-2004 Northern Hemisphere seasons at Blue Ridge Stud in Virginia. He moved to O’Sullivan Farms in West Virginia for 2005 and died there in May 2005. He was buried at Avonlea Farm in Virginia.
Pedigree notes
Housebuster is inbred 4x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, who was also the English/Irish champion sire of 1951. He is a full brother to Dreamscape, dam of multiple stakes winner Tax Refund (by Artax) and Grade 3-placed stakes winner Sophia’s Song (by Bellamy Road) and (through Sophia's Song) second dam of 2023 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bright Future. He is a half brother to 2003 Honeymoon Breeders’ Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Quero Quero (by Royal Academy), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Praia (by Distorted Humor), and to minor stakes winner Cat Buster (by Tale of the Cat). He is also a half brother to Night and Dreams (by Fappiano), dam of French Group 3 winner Deep Sleep (by Rahy) and Grade 2-placed restricted stakes winner Live Your Dreams (by Mt. Livermore) and third dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Elysea’s World. In addition, Housebuster is a half brother to Desireux (by Fappiano), third dam of multiple Canadian Grade 2 winner Something Extra, Grade 2 winner Nicole H., and Grade 3 winner Straight No Chaser.
Housebuster is out of multiple sprint stakes winner Big Dreams, whose stakes-placed half sister Gentle Kelly (by Gentle King) is the dam of multiple stakes winner Carrie Can (by Saratoga Six) and the second dam of Grade 2 winners Be Gentle and Harvard Avenue. Big Dreams is also a half sister to Dolphin’s Queen (by Gentle King), dam of restricted stakes winner Maddie’s Promise and third dam of Grade 3 winner Wildcat Lily.
Big Dreams, in turn, is out of Dolphins Dream (by multiple stakes winner New Prospect, by Never Bend), whose dam Green Dolphin (by Johns Joy) is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Fly By Venus (by Dark Star), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner North of Venus (by Northern Dancer). The female line came to the United States in 1880 via the Victorious mare Kapanga, dam of three-time American champion older male and two-time American champion sire Kingston (by Spendthrift).
Books and media
Video footage of several of Housebuster’s races can be accessed via Bob Ehalt’s article “Housebuster: Electrifying Speed” (https://www.americasbestracing.net/the-sport/2020-housebuster-electrifying-speed), which was published on America’s Best Racing on September 28, 2020.
Fun facts
- Housebuster was the first horse to win consecutive American championships in the sprint division since Ta Wee (1969-1970), the dam of his broodmare sire Great Above. It would take another 27 years before Roy H duplicated the feats of Ta Wee and Housebuster by being voted America’s champion sprinter in 2017 and 2018.
- Housebuster defeated two other American champion sprinters during his career, beating 1989 champion Safely Kept in the 1991 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash and beating 1992 champion Rubiano in the 1991 Carter Handicap.
- Housebuster seemed to get less respect in his Mid-Atlantic base than he did anywhere else. When he defeated Safely Kept in the DeFrancis, he paid US$4.80 to win on a two-dollar ticket at Laurel, where the race was run. At his home base at Monmouth Park, where the race was available for betting through simulcasting, he paid US$7.40 to win.
Last updated: February 21, 2024