Lady Be Good (USA)
March 9, 1956 – June 6, 1982
Better Self (USA) x Past Eight (USA), by Eight Thirty (USA)
Family 8-h
"GENETIC GEM"
March 9, 1956 – June 6, 1982
Better Self (USA) x Past Eight (USA), by Eight Thirty (USA)
Family 8-h
"GENETIC GEM"
A precocious juvenile on the track, Lady Be Good proved a good broodmare in her own time. Nonetheless, her true gift to her breed was a slew of good producing daughters and granddaughters that between them lifted her to the status of a modern foundation mare.
Race record
13 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$53,497
1958:
Assessments
Rated at 108 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1958, 9 pounds below champion Quill.
As an individual
A speedy, precocious bay mare, Lady Be Good was rather narrow and somewhat crooked-legged but had a very good shoulder. She was a front runner by preference and handled sloppy footing well. She apparently suffered a career-ending injury during her first start at 3 as she was not seen again on the racetrack.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Lady Be Good produced 13 named foals, of which 11 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm, Lady Be Good was bred and owned by Wheatley Stable. She was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. She produced her first eight foals for Wheatley Stable; the remainder were bred by Ogden Phipps, son of Wheatley Stable owner Gladys Mills Phipps. Lady Be Good was pensioned in April 1979 and died in 1982.
Pedigree notes
Lady Be Good is inbred 4x5 to Man o' War. She is a full sister to the good sprinter Time Tested, winner of the 1966 Toboggan Handicap. She is a half sister to Mid Hour (by Ambiorix), whose stakes-placed son Drum Fire (by Never Bend) was an important regional sire in the Pacific Northwest.
Lady Be Good and her siblings were produced from Past Eight, a half sister to 1939 Suburban Handicap winner Snark (by Boojum), 1933 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Edelweiss (by Chicle) and 1938 Adirondack Handicap winner Matterhorn (by Diavolo; second dam of 1958 Japanese champion 2-year-old filly Kiyotake). Past Eight, in turn, is out of the Hourless mare Helvetia, a half sister to 1933 Latonia Oaks winner Esseff (by High Time) and four-time stakes winner Chasar (by Crusader). The next dam in the tail-female line, the Sardanapale mare La Belle Helene, was imported from France as a yearling by Delbert Reiff.
Books and media
Lady Be Good is profiled in Chapter 44 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Company, Inc.).
Fun facts
Last updated: June 4, 2024
Race record
13 starts, 4 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$53,497
1958:
- Won Colleen Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Monmouth)
- Won National Stallion Stakes (Fillies) (USA, 5FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Mermaid Stakes (USA, 6FD, Atlantic City)
- 2nd Schuylerville Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Astoria Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Jamaica)
Assessments
Rated at 108 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1958, 9 pounds below champion Quill.
As an individual
A speedy, precocious bay mare, Lady Be Good was rather narrow and somewhat crooked-legged but had a very good shoulder. She was a front runner by preference and handled sloppy footing well. She apparently suffered a career-ending injury during her first start at 3 as she was not seen again on the racetrack.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Lady Be Good produced 13 named foals, of which 11 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Discipline (1962, by Princequillo) won the 1964 Demoiselle Stakes, a division of the 1965 Test Stakes, and the 1966 Molly Pitcher Handicap. She is the dam of 1976 Sorority Stakes (USA-G1) winner Squander (by Buckpasser) and 1986 Diana Handicap (USA-G2) winner Duty Dance (by Nijinsky II). Discipline is the second dam of six stakes winners including Grade 3 winners Serious Spender, Party Manners, and Vivano and is the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Goodbye Halo and 2000 Futurity Stakes (USA-G1) winner Burning Roma. Her more distant descendants include 2021 Argentine Horse of the Year Village King, two-time Japanese champion steeplechaser Majesty Bio, 2016 American champion female sprinter Finest City, multiple Grade 1 winner Val’s Prince, 2008 Royal Chase for the Sport of Kings (NSA-G1) winner Sovereign Duty, Grade 2 winner Howbeit, and Australian Group 3 winner Frumos.
- Disciplinarian (1964, by Bold Ruler) won five stakes races including the 1967 Swaps Handicap. He sired two stakes winners from 54 named foals.
- No Demerits (1967, by Bold Ruler) is the third dam of 1999 Gran Premio Palermo (ARG-G1) winner Llers Fitz, Argentine Group 2 winner Casals Fitz, and Argentine Group 3 winner Dali Fitz. Her more distant descendants include multiple Chilean Group 2 winner Australia Mia and Grade/Group 3 winners Alpha Bella, Andina del Sur, and Dady Van.
- Bold Example (1969, by Bold Lad) was stakes-placed on the track. She produced 1981 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G2) winner French Charmer (by Le Fabuleux) and multiple stakes winner Highest Regard (by Gallant Romeo) and is the second dam of nine stakes winners including 1989 English champion 3-year-old male and champion miler Zilzal, 1989 French champion miler Polish Precedent, multiple European highweight Culture Vulture, multiple Grade 1 winner Awe Inspiring, and Grade 2 winner Recognizable. She is also the third dam of 2004 Indian champion sprinter Shamaal, Grade 2 winner Santa Catarina, English Group 2 winner Viztoria, and Irish Group 3 winner Maharib. Her more distant descendants include 2014 American champion steeplechaser Demonstrative, 2018/19 Uruguayan champion miler Almoradi, 2017 Matriarch Stakes (USA-G1) winner Off Limits, 2009 Darley Alcibiades Stakes (USA-G1) winner Negligee, 2020 VRC Australian Cup (AUS-G1) winner Fifty Stars, and 2020 Grande Prêmio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (BRZ-G1) winner Olympic Jolteon.
- Full of Hope (1970, by Bold Ruler) was a Grade 2-placed stakes winner. She produced Italian Group 3 winner Freedom's Choice (by Forli).
- In Hot Pursuit (1971, by Bold Ruler) won the 1973 Fashion Stakes (USA-G3). She is the dam of 1980 Sussex Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Posse, 1985 Oettingen Rennen (GER-G3) winner Hot Rodder, and 1992 Swoon's Son Stakes (USA-G3) winner Late As Usual, all by Forli. She is the second dam of three stakes winners including 1988 Premio Regina Elena (Italian One Thousand Guineas, ITY-G2) winner Lonely Bird and Brazilian Group 2 winner Padrao Global. She is also the third dam of 2004 Oaks d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Menhoubah, Grade 2 winner Hal's Pal, and Brazilian Group 3 winner Cyllarus. Her more distant descendants include 2022 Grande Premio Barao de Piracibo (BRZ-G1) winner Empoderada; Brazilian Group 2 winners Mary Re, Ouro da Serra, and Sai de Baixo; and Brazilian Group 3 winner Leviatan.
- Impish (1972, by Majestic Prince) won her only start and produced multiple Grade 2 winner Lay Down (by Spectacular Bid) and multiple stakes winner Karly's Harley (by Harlan). She is the second dam of seven stakes winners including 1988 Vosburgh Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mining, 2007 Personal Ensign Stakes (USA-G1) winner Miss Shop, Grade 2 winner Trappe Shot, and Brazilian Group 2 winner Widowhood. She is also the third dam of 2012 FrontRunner Stakes (USA-G1) winner Power Broker, Australian Group 2 winner What Can I Say, Brazilian Group 3 winners Diyarbakir and Clara Baby, and Grade 3 winner Tin Type Gal. Her more distant descendants include Quechua, a three-time champion in Singapore, and 2015/16 Brazilian champion 2-year-old male English Major. Impish is also the ancestress of 2015 Grande Prêmio Bento Gonçalves (BRZ-G1) winner Diesmal, 2013 Grande Premio Henrique Possolo (BRZ-G1) winner Antonella Baby, 2015 Gran Premio Estrellas Classic (ARG-G1) winner Quiz Kid, 2017 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Invader, 2017 Grande Prêmio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (BRZ-G1) winner King David, 2024 Grande Prêmio Francisco Eduardo de Paula Machado (BRZ-G1) winner Martin Luther King, and 2024 Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) winner Seize the Grey.
- Uncommitted (1974, by Buckpasser) never raced but produced multiple Grade 1 winner Wavering Monarch (by Majestic Prince) and No Contract (by Forty Niner), a stakes winner in the United Arab Emirates. She is the second dam of five stakes winners including Grade 2 winner Antrim Rd. and the third dam of 2005 Vodafone Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Motivator, English Group 2 winner Macarthur, and Brazilian Group 2 winner Kahyasin. Her more distant descendants include 2009 Spanish co-champion older female Fresneda and multiple English Group 2 winner Chindit.
- Foresight Princess (1976, by Reviewer) produced stakes winners Pleasant Prospect (by Mr. Prospector), Premier Princess (by Exclusive Native) and Oka Revolt (by Secreto). She is the third dam of Italian Group 3 winner Kiris World. Her more distant descendants include 2014/15 Brazilian champion 3-year-old filly Cruiseliner, 2018/19 Uruguayan champion 2-year-old male Alto Voltage, 2005 Grande Premio Juliano Martins (BRZ-G1) winner Parfum Parfait, Brazilian Group 2 winner Etapa Vencida, and Brazilian Group 3 winners Aspiracion, Ethereum, Mrs. Boss, and Taos.
- In Fine Fettle (1978, by Intrepid Hero) produced stakes winners The Real Vaslav (by Seattle Dancer) and Secret Edge (by Secreto) and is the second dam of two minor stakes winners.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm, Lady Be Good was bred and owned by Wheatley Stable. She was trained by James “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. She produced her first eight foals for Wheatley Stable; the remainder were bred by Ogden Phipps, son of Wheatley Stable owner Gladys Mills Phipps. Lady Be Good was pensioned in April 1979 and died in 1982.
Pedigree notes
Lady Be Good is inbred 4x5 to Man o' War. She is a full sister to the good sprinter Time Tested, winner of the 1966 Toboggan Handicap. She is a half sister to Mid Hour (by Ambiorix), whose stakes-placed son Drum Fire (by Never Bend) was an important regional sire in the Pacific Northwest.
Lady Be Good and her siblings were produced from Past Eight, a half sister to 1939 Suburban Handicap winner Snark (by Boojum), 1933 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Edelweiss (by Chicle) and 1938 Adirondack Handicap winner Matterhorn (by Diavolo; second dam of 1958 Japanese champion 2-year-old filly Kiyotake). Past Eight, in turn, is out of the Hourless mare Helvetia, a half sister to 1933 Latonia Oaks winner Esseff (by High Time) and four-time stakes winner Chasar (by Crusader). The next dam in the tail-female line, the Sardanapale mare La Belle Helene, was imported from France as a yearling by Delbert Reiff.
Books and media
Lady Be Good is profiled in Chapter 44 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Company, Inc.).
Fun facts
- Lady, Be Good! was a popular musical of the 1920s featuring music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. The 1941 film Lady Be Good used two of the popular songs from the musical but was otherwise dissimilar.
Last updated: June 4, 2024