Lea Lark was good enough to be stakes-placed at 2 and 3 but not good enough to push through and become a stakes winner. Her excellence was saved for the paddocks, where she became an important producer of both runners and broodmares.
Race record
15 starts, 3 wins, 1 seconds, 3 thirds, US$15,300
1947:
1948:
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare, Lea Lark was well-balanced and had a high order of natural speed.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Lea Lark produced 14 foals, of which all started and 12 won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lea Lark was bred and owned by Charlton Clay and was a broodmare at Clay’s Marchmont Farm. She died in 1967.
Pedigree notes
Lea Lark is inbred 5x5 to 1899 English Triple Crown winner and three-time French champion sire Flying Fox and the stakes-winning mare Amie through the full brothers Ajax (winner of the 1904 Prix du Jockey Club and Grand Prix de Paris) and Adam (winner of the 1904 Prix Eclipse and Prix de la Forêt). She is a full sister to stakes-placed Lyceum, the dam of 1961 Tropical Park Handicap winner Bourbon Prince (by Princequillo) and 1965 Mademoiselle Stakes winner Dedicated A. (by Dedicate), the second dam of 1972 French champion 2-year-old male Targowice, and the third dam of 1986 American champion turf male Manila, multiple Grade 1 winner Stately Don, and Irish Group 3 winner Honoria.
Lea Lark and Lyceum are out of the winning Ariel mare Colosseum, a half sister to 1941 Saratoga Special winner Amphitheatre (by Sir Gallahad III) and to Clickety Clack (by Flying Heels), dam of 1948 Del Mar Derby and Del Mar Handicap winner Frankly (by Heliopolis) and third dam of two-time Mexican Horse of the Year El Villano and three-time Panamanian champion Atlante. Colosseum is also a half sister to Circus Ring (by Bull Dog), dam of 1949 Monmouth Handicap winner Three Rings (by Blue Larkspur), second dam of two-time Italian champion filly Carnauba and Grade 3 winners Hey Rube and Pink Tights, and third dam of 1983 Sapling Stakes (USA-G1) winner Smart n Slick and 1988 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner Salse. In addition, Colosseum is a half sister to Veni Vici (by Fighting Fox), dam of the good stakes winner Clever Foot (by Watch Your Step).
Colosseum and her siblings are out of the unraced St. James mare Arena, whose half sister Goose Egg (by Chicle) won the 1929 Spinaway Stakes and is the dam of 1942 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Shut Out (by Equipoise) and the second dam of 1949 Select Handicap winner Petey Cotter (by Saint Andrew). Produced from the Fair Play mare Oval, Arena is also a half sister to Ovalette (by Chicle), third dam of 1954 American champion steeplechaser King Commander, and to Robin’s Egg (by Wildair), dam of stakes winners Chicolorado (by Chicle), Omelet (by Questionnaire), and Redbreast (by Chicle).
Last updated: March 22, 2024
Race record
15 starts, 3 wins, 1 seconds, 3 thirds, US$15,300
1947:
- 3rd Arlington Lassie Stakes (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
1948:
- 3rd Ashland Stakes (USA, 6FD, Keeneland)
- 3rd Pimlico Oaks (USA, 8.5FD, Pimlico)
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare, Lea Lark was well-balanced and had a high order of natural speed.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Lea Lark produced 14 foals, of which all started and 12 won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Lea Lane (1952, by Nasrullah) won three stakes races as a juvenile. She is the dam of 1960 Matron Stakes winner Rose Bower (by Princequillo), the second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner True Colors and the third dam of 1980 Prix de la Salamandre (FR-G1) winner Miswaki (an important sire and broodmare sire) and Grade 2 winners High Brite and Lizzy Hare. Her more distant descendants include 2019 Korean Horse of the Year Moonhak Chief, 1987 Puerto Rican champion imported 3-year-old filly Dindi U., 2001 Puerto Rican champion imported 3-year-old filly Tonight’s Wager, 2011 Slovakian champion 2-year-old male Mystic Swing, and 2018 Belgian champion 3-year-old filly Forever Surprise; multiple Group 1 winners Lacovia, Saffron Beach, and Tobougg; and 1991 Hollywood Derby (USA-G1) winner Eternity Star, 1994 Premio O.S.A.F. (PER-G1) winner Cruzan Gold, 2014 Preis der Diana-Deutsches Stuten Derby (GER-G1) winner Feodora, and 2016 Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity (USA-G1) winner Mastery.
- Fleet Flight (1953, by Count Fleet) won only once from 26 starts but is the dam of 1965 Vosburgh Handicap winner R. Thomas (by Nadir) and the third dam of 1988 Moyglare Stud Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Flamenco Wave, Grade/Group 2 winners Fair of the Furze and Rise Jim, and Grade 3 winner Chesire Kitten. Her more distant descendants include 2001 Czech champion miler Hyphen, 2011 Swiss champion 3-year-old male Fabrino, and 2015 Hungarian champion sprinter Puck Fair; multiple Grade/Group 1 winners Almutawakel, Ballingarry, Secret Circle, St. Nicholas Abbey, and Starborough; and 1989 Arlington Classic (USA-G1) winner Clever Trevor, 1993 Derby Italiano (ITY-G1) winner White Muzzle, 1999 Racing Post Trophy (ENG-G1) winner Aristotle, 2006 Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1) winner Germance, 2014 Middle Park Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Charming Thought, and 2017 Prix d’Ispahan (FR-G1) winner Mehktaal.
- Leallah (1954, by Nasrullah) was the American co-champion 2-year-old filly of 1956. She is the dam of stakes winners Go Marching (by Princequillo; a useful sire), Knights Plume (by Round Table), and Tres Jolie (by Herbager). She is also the dam of stakes-placed Table Play (by Round Table), a sire of some importance in Argentina. Leallah is the second dam of three stakes winners and is the third dam of 1982 Vosburgh Handicap (USA-G1) winner Engine One and 1990 Racing Post Trophy (ENG-G1) winner Peter Davies. Her more distant descendants include 2019 Mexican Horse of the Year Inspirato, 2021 American champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu, 1993 Panamanian champion imported 2-year-old male Ulises, 2004 Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Singletary, 2003 Diana Handicap (USA-G1) winner Voodoo Dancer, 2018 Spinaway Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sippican Harbor, and 2020 H. Allen Jerkins Stakes (USA-G1) winner Echo Town.
- Lea Moon (1955, by Nasrullah) placed in two stakes races as a 3-year-old. She is the dam of 1965 Charles H. Strub Stakes winner Duel (by Round Table), 1967 Arkansas Derby winner Monitor (by Round Table), 1964 Toboggan Handicap winner Scythe (by Double Jay), 1969 Pageant Handicap winner Elaine (by Round Table), and minor stakes winner Loop (by Round Table). She is also the third dam of 1989 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Martial Law, multiple Peruvian Group 2 winner Black Glad, and Group 3 winners Sassoaloro and Satin Flower. Her more distant descendants include 2009 Indian Horse of the Year Golden Bounty, 1989 Japanese champion 2-year-old filly Sakura Saeziri, 2018 Scandinavian champion 3-year-old filly Queen Estoril, 2010 Easter Handicap (NZ-G1) winner Time Keeper, and 2020 Malibu Stakes (USA-G1) winner Speed Boat Beach.
- Larkswing (by Nasrullah) is the dam of French stakes winner Ideal Point.
- Meadow Mist (1960, by Nasrullah) is the third dam of 1992 Mexican champion 2-year-old male Aldodon and 1995 Derby Mexicano winner Fabulous Sky.
- Shama (1961, by Bold Ruler) was stakes-placed. She is the dam of 1971 Ladies Handicap winner Sea Saga (by Sea-Bird), 1972 Pageant Handicap winner Roba Bella (by Ribot), and 1973 Rare Treat Handicap (USA-G3) winner Sea Sister (by Sea-Bird); the second dam of Grade 3 winners Current Legend, Key to the Saga, and Northern Sea; and the third dam of 10-time Argentine champion sire Southern Halo, Chilean Group 3 winner Parrandeo, and Grade 3 winner Pleasant Temper. Her more distant descendants include multiple Grade/Group 1 winners A Shin Hikari, Evening Jewel, General Challenge, and Knock. They also include 1993 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Sir Beaufort, 2000 Grande Prêmio Parana (BRZ-G1) winner Mr. Pleasentfar, 2000 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Notable Career, 2000 Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner A P Valentine, 2011 Premio Aruto Lyon Pena (CHI-G1) winner Plaza de Indias, 2012 Gran Premio de las Americas-O.S.A.F.-Internacional (ARG-G1) winner Panegirico, 2017 Triple Bend Handicap (USA-G1) winner Denman’s Call, and 2023 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Far Bridge. In addition, Shama is the ancestress of three-time Panamanian champion Brujo, 2016 American champion 2-year-old filly Champagne Room, 2016 Argentine champion 3-year-old filly Blue Prize, and 2021 Argentine champion older female Blue Stripe.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Lea Lark was bred and owned by Charlton Clay and was a broodmare at Clay’s Marchmont Farm. She died in 1967.
Pedigree notes
Lea Lark is inbred 5x5 to 1899 English Triple Crown winner and three-time French champion sire Flying Fox and the stakes-winning mare Amie through the full brothers Ajax (winner of the 1904 Prix du Jockey Club and Grand Prix de Paris) and Adam (winner of the 1904 Prix Eclipse and Prix de la Forêt). She is a full sister to stakes-placed Lyceum, the dam of 1961 Tropical Park Handicap winner Bourbon Prince (by Princequillo) and 1965 Mademoiselle Stakes winner Dedicated A. (by Dedicate), the second dam of 1972 French champion 2-year-old male Targowice, and the third dam of 1986 American champion turf male Manila, multiple Grade 1 winner Stately Don, and Irish Group 3 winner Honoria.
Lea Lark and Lyceum are out of the winning Ariel mare Colosseum, a half sister to 1941 Saratoga Special winner Amphitheatre (by Sir Gallahad III) and to Clickety Clack (by Flying Heels), dam of 1948 Del Mar Derby and Del Mar Handicap winner Frankly (by Heliopolis) and third dam of two-time Mexican Horse of the Year El Villano and three-time Panamanian champion Atlante. Colosseum is also a half sister to Circus Ring (by Bull Dog), dam of 1949 Monmouth Handicap winner Three Rings (by Blue Larkspur), second dam of two-time Italian champion filly Carnauba and Grade 3 winners Hey Rube and Pink Tights, and third dam of 1983 Sapling Stakes (USA-G1) winner Smart n Slick and 1988 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner Salse. In addition, Colosseum is a half sister to Veni Vici (by Fighting Fox), dam of the good stakes winner Clever Foot (by Watch Your Step).
Colosseum and her siblings are out of the unraced St. James mare Arena, whose half sister Goose Egg (by Chicle) won the 1929 Spinaway Stakes and is the dam of 1942 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Shut Out (by Equipoise) and the second dam of 1949 Select Handicap winner Petey Cotter (by Saint Andrew). Produced from the Fair Play mare Oval, Arena is also a half sister to Ovalette (by Chicle), third dam of 1954 American champion steeplechaser King Commander, and to Robin’s Egg (by Wildair), dam of stakes winners Chicolorado (by Chicle), Omelet (by Questionnaire), and Redbreast (by Chicle).
Last updated: March 22, 2024