Naming a sibling after a famous horse is often regarded as a kiss of death in racing superstition, but while Mr. Busher was not the equal of his famous older sister Busher, he showed ample talent of his own during a brief career. Unfortunately, injury denied him a chance to enhance his reputation at 3, and his accomplishments at stud were fairly modest. His name lives on in pedigrees through two daughters: Fast Line, a modern foundation mare, and Stolen Hour, whose daughter Best in Show was the 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and a great matriarch.
Race record
4 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$83,875
1946:
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1948, 2 pounds below champion Blue Peter but second overall.
Ranked second to champion Blue Peter among American juvenile males of 1948 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut, Mr. Busher was larger than his sister Busher (who stood 16 hands) but was so well made that his size was not apparent until an observer came close. An extremely handsome animal, he had gaits to match his physique. His racing career ended after he suffered a deep cut to the coronary band of one hoof during the running of the 1948 Washington Park Futurity, in which he was unplaced; he never recovered racing soundness.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Mr. Busher sired 205 winners (69.7%) and 16 stakes winners (5.4%) from 294 named foals.
Notable progeny
Fast Line (USA), Stolen Hour (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Best in Show (USA), Filiberto (USA), Trick Chick (USA), White Star Line (USA)
Connections
Mr. Busher was bred by Colonel Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm. He was purchased as a weanling by Maine Chance Farm's Elizabeth Graham, who paid a world record price of US$50,000 for a youngster of that age at public auction. He was trained by Jimmy Smith. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1950 at Spendthrift Farm.
Pedigree notes
Mr. Busher is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion Sweep. He is a full brother to 1945 American Horse of the Year Busher, dam of the high-class stakes horse Jet Action (by Jet Pilot), and to 1949 Schuylerville Stakes winner Striking, the 1961 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Mr. Busher and his siblings are bred on the same cross of War Admiral to daughters of La Troienne that also produced major stakes winners Busanda and Searching.
Mr. Busher's dam Baby League is a full sister to stakes winner Biologist and a half sister to 1935 American champion 3-year-old filly Black Helen (by Black Toney), two-time American champion Bimelech (by Black Toney), Selima Stakes winners Big Hurry (by Black Toney) and Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and the noteworthy producers Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), Besieged (by Balladier), Belle Histoire (by Blue Larkspur) and Belle of Troy (by Blue Larkspur). Baby League's dam, La Troienne (by Teddy), is a full sister to Leonidas, a winner of the Lincolnshire Handicap. La Troienne is also a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis (by Teddy's son Astérus), dam of 1944 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Ardan and the high-class stakes winner Pardal (both by Pharis II).
Last updated: July 25, 2023
Race record
4 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$83,875
1946:
- Won Arlington Futurity (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
- Won National Stallion Stakes (Colts and Geldings) (USA)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1948, 2 pounds below champion Blue Peter but second overall.
Ranked second to champion Blue Peter among American juvenile males of 1948 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A chestnut, Mr. Busher was larger than his sister Busher (who stood 16 hands) but was so well made that his size was not apparent until an observer came close. An extremely handsome animal, he had gaits to match his physique. His racing career ended after he suffered a deep cut to the coronary band of one hoof during the running of the 1948 Washington Park Futurity, in which he was unplaced; he never recovered racing soundness.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Mr. Busher sired 205 winners (69.7%) and 16 stakes winners (5.4%) from 294 named foals.
Notable progeny
Fast Line (USA), Stolen Hour (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Best in Show (USA), Filiberto (USA), Trick Chick (USA), White Star Line (USA)
Connections
Mr. Busher was bred by Colonel Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm. He was purchased as a weanling by Maine Chance Farm's Elizabeth Graham, who paid a world record price of US$50,000 for a youngster of that age at public auction. He was trained by Jimmy Smith. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1950 at Spendthrift Farm.
Pedigree notes
Mr. Busher is inbred 3x4 to two-time American champion Sweep. He is a full brother to 1945 American Horse of the Year Busher, dam of the high-class stakes horse Jet Action (by Jet Pilot), and to 1949 Schuylerville Stakes winner Striking, the 1961 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Mr. Busher and his siblings are bred on the same cross of War Admiral to daughters of La Troienne that also produced major stakes winners Busanda and Searching.
Mr. Busher's dam Baby League is a full sister to stakes winner Biologist and a half sister to 1935 American champion 3-year-old filly Black Helen (by Black Toney), two-time American champion Bimelech (by Black Toney), Selima Stakes winners Big Hurry (by Black Toney) and Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and the noteworthy producers Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), Besieged (by Balladier), Belle Histoire (by Blue Larkspur) and Belle of Troy (by Blue Larkspur). Baby League's dam, La Troienne (by Teddy), is a full sister to Leonidas, a winner of the Lincolnshire Handicap. La Troienne is also a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis (by Teddy's son Astérus), dam of 1944 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) winner Ardan and the high-class stakes winner Pardal (both by Pharis II).
Last updated: July 25, 2023