Monroe (USA)
May 21, 1977 – 2002
Sir Ivor (USA) x Best in Show (USA), by Traffic Judge (USA)
Family 8-f
May 21, 1977 – 2002
Sir Ivor (USA) x Best in Show (USA), by Traffic Judge (USA)
Family 8-f
Although she was sired by the Derby Stakes winner Sir Ivor out of a mare by the Woodward Stakes winner Traffic Judge, Monroe proved precocious and best suited to shorter distances. She proved a very good and prolific broodmare, establishing her own branch of the family of her dam Best in Show.
Race record
8 starts, 3 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds, US$36,739 (converted from Irish earnings)
1979:
1980:
Assessments
Rated at 102 pounds by Timeform.
As an individual
A bay mare, Monroe was small and attractive, similar to other members of her immediate female family. Her head was particularly appealing, with Arabian-like refinement.
As a producer
Monroe produced 18 named foals, of which 17 started and 14 won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Monroe was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Brown. A US$300,000 yearling purchase, she was owned by Robert Sangster and trained by Vincent O'Brien. After producing her first two foals for Areen Ltd., she passed to the ownership of Juddmonte Farms. She died in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Monroe is inbred 5x5 to two-time English champion filly Selene, a great matron, and 5x5 to the immortal Man o' War. She is a full sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski, English Group 2 winner Gielgud, and Minnie Hauk, dam of 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes winner Aviance (by Northfields) and 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler’s Wells); second dam of multiple Grade or Group 1 winners Denon and Chimes of Freedom as well as seven-time Peruvian champion sire Privately Held; and third dam of 2003 American champion sprinter Aldebaran, multiple Grade or Group 1 winners Saddex and Spinning World, and 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey. Monroe is also a full sister to Show Lady, dam of Canadian stakes winner Great Regent (by Vice Regent) and second dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winners Hurricane Sky and He's No Pie Eater and Australian Group 3 winner Umatilla. Show Lady is also the third dam of multiple Group 1 winner and Australian champion sire Redoute's Choice, 2002 Spring Champion Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Platinum Scissors, 2005 Cadbury Guineas (AUS-G1) winner Al Maher and 2009 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Manhattan Rain.
Monroe is a half sister to 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride (by Blushing Groom), dam of French Group 2 winner Smolensk (by Danzig), Irish Group 3 winner Turnberry Isle (by Deputy Minister) and Grade 2 winner and 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister). She is also a half sister to Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), the dam of multiple champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer) as well as Group 3 winner Solar (by Halo). Sex Appeal is also the third dam of 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Bahamian Pirate, 2013/14 Brazilian champion older female Estrela Monarchos and 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Domedriver. A third half sister to Monroe, Nijinsky's Best (by Nijinsky II), is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Yagli (by Jade Hunter) and the third dam of 2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rockemperor.
Monroe is out of 1968 Comely Stakes winner Best in Show. The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Best in Show is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Best in Show was produced from the stakes-placed Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour, a full sister to 1955 Oakland Handicap winner Beau Busher and a half sister to 1945 Arlington Matron Handicap winner War Date (by War Admiral). Produced from 1935 American champion handicap female Late Date (by Hourless), Stolen Hour is also a half sister to Elope (by Heliopolis), dam of juvenile stakes winner Sheila's Star (by Dark Star); to Frolic (by Whirlaway), dam of juvenile stakes winners Joyously (by Johns Joy) and Sailor Frolic (by Cap Size); and to Latent (by Thundering), second dam of 1969 New Orleans Handicap winner Miracle Hill.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 22, 2024
Race record
8 starts, 3 wins, 4 seconds, 0 thirds, US$36,739 (converted from Irish earnings)
1979:
- 2nd Gallaghouse Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1, 5FT, Phoenix)
1980:
- Won Ballyogan Stakes (IRE-G3, 5FT, Leopardstown)
- 2nd Mulcahy Stakes (IRE-G3, 7FT, Phoenix)
- 2nd Castleknock Sprint Stakes (IRE, Phoenix)
Assessments
Rated at 102 pounds by Timeform.
As an individual
A bay mare, Monroe was small and attractive, similar to other members of her immediate female family. Her head was particularly appealing, with Arabian-like refinement.
As a producer
Monroe produced 18 named foals, of which 17 started and 14 won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Ile de Jinsky (1984, by Ile de Bourbon) won the 1988 River City Handicap (USA-L) and ran third in that year’s Fayette Handicap (USA-G2). He sired three stakes winners from 93 named foals of racing age.
- Danthonia (1985, by Northern Dancer) won one of her four starts. She is the dam of English listed stakes winner Zante (by Zafonic).
- Didicoy (1986, by Danzig) won three of her six starts and was Group 3-placed. She is the dam of 1995 Dahlia Handicap (USA-G2) winner Didina (by Nashwan) and listed stakes winners Espionage (by Zafonic) and Star Cluster (by Observatory). She is also the second dam of two stakes winners and the third dam of 2012 Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) winner Cityscape; Group 2 winners Ajaya, Bated Breath, and Old Flame; and multiple English Group 3 winner Extra Elusive.
- Victoriana (1987, by Storm Bird) won one of her four starts. She is the dam of listed stakes winner Victorian Order (by Zamindar) and the second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Domesday and Australian Group 3 winner Cool Front.
- Masterclass (1988, by The Minstrel) won the 1991 Prix Quincey (FR-G3) and placed in five other stakes, including the 1990 CIGA Grand Criterium (FR-G1). After standing in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, Masterclass ended his days in the Philippines.
- Diese (1989, by Diesis) won the 1993 Prix Corrida (FR-G3). She is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Senure (by Nureyev), 2003 San Simeon Handicap (USA-G3) winner Speak in Passing (by Danzig), and French listed stakes winner Dexterity (by Kingmambo). She is also the second dam of 2022 Falmouth Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Prosperous Voyage and Australian Group 2 winner Permit and is the third dam of Grade 3 winner Evening Sun.
- Stardom (1994, by Known Fact) never raced but is the dam of 2008 Queen of the South Stakes (AUS-G2) winner Trick of Light (by Dansili).
- Xaar (1995, by Zafonic) was the European champion 2-year-old male of 1997. He sired 31 stakes winners from 1150 named foals of racing age while standing in Ireland, Australia, France, and Japan.
- Silver Star (1996, by Zafonic) ran third in the 1999 Prix Coronation (FR-L). She is the dam of Group 2-placed listed stakes winner Barsanti (by Champs Elysees). She is also the second dam of 2014 American champion older female Close Hatches and multiple Irish Group 1 winner Siskin and the third dam of 2023 Personal Ensign Stakes (USA-G1) winner Idiomatic, multiple Grade 2 winner Tacitus, and Grade 3 winners Scylla and Batten Down.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Monroe was bred by Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Brown. A US$300,000 yearling purchase, she was owned by Robert Sangster and trained by Vincent O'Brien. After producing her first two foals for Areen Ltd., she passed to the ownership of Juddmonte Farms. She died in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Monroe is inbred 5x5 to two-time English champion filly Selene, a great matron, and 5x5 to the immortal Man o' War. She is a full sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski, English Group 2 winner Gielgud, and Minnie Hauk, dam of 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes winner Aviance (by Northfields) and 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler’s Wells); second dam of multiple Grade or Group 1 winners Denon and Chimes of Freedom as well as seven-time Peruvian champion sire Privately Held; and third dam of 2003 American champion sprinter Aldebaran, multiple Grade or Group 1 winners Saddex and Spinning World, and 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey. Monroe is also a full sister to Show Lady, dam of Canadian stakes winner Great Regent (by Vice Regent) and second dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winners Hurricane Sky and He's No Pie Eater and Australian Group 3 winner Umatilla. Show Lady is also the third dam of multiple Group 1 winner and Australian champion sire Redoute's Choice, 2002 Spring Champion Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Platinum Scissors, 2005 Cadbury Guineas (AUS-G1) winner Al Maher and 2009 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Manhattan Rain.
Monroe is a half sister to 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride (by Blushing Groom), dam of French Group 2 winner Smolensk (by Danzig), Irish Group 3 winner Turnberry Isle (by Deputy Minister) and Grade 2 winner and 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister). She is also a half sister to Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), the dam of multiple champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer) as well as Group 3 winner Solar (by Halo). Sex Appeal is also the third dam of 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Bahamian Pirate, 2013/14 Brazilian champion older female Estrela Monarchos and 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Domedriver. A third half sister to Monroe, Nijinsky's Best (by Nijinsky II), is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Yagli (by Jade Hunter) and the third dam of 2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rockemperor.
Monroe is out of 1968 Comely Stakes winner Best in Show. The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Best in Show is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Best in Show was produced from the stakes-placed Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour, a full sister to 1955 Oakland Handicap winner Beau Busher and a half sister to 1945 Arlington Matron Handicap winner War Date (by War Admiral). Produced from 1935 American champion handicap female Late Date (by Hourless), Stolen Hour is also a half sister to Elope (by Heliopolis), dam of juvenile stakes winner Sheila's Star (by Dark Star); to Frolic (by Whirlaway), dam of juvenile stakes winners Joyously (by Johns Joy) and Sailor Frolic (by Cap Size); and to Latent (by Thundering), second dam of 1969 New Orleans Handicap winner Miracle Hill.
Fun facts
- Monroe (in Scotland, more commonly spelled Munro) is the name of a noted Scottish clan traditionally believed to trace back to the family and followers of the Irish chieftain Donald Munro, who settled in Scotland during the 11th century. The most noted bearer of that name in the United States has been James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States and the promulgator of the “Monroe Doctrine,” a policy against limiting European colonialism in the Americas. The Monroe Doctrine was a linchpin of American foreign policy throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century and continued to influence the thinking of American presidents and statesmen up through the presidency of Ronald Reagan.
Last updated: June 22, 2024