Never in any danger of being mistaken for a twin to his immortal full brother Man o' War, My Play was nonetheless a talented horse in his own right and managed to make a mark of his own on the Thoroughbred in spite of ill luck and the looming shadow of Big Red. While he begot one champion son in Head Play, his primary contribution to the breed was through his daughters.
Race record
Won US$32,490
1923:
1924:
Assessments
Ranked fifth among American older males of 1924 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
My Play was typical of the rangy staying types sired by Fair Play. A slow-maturing bay horse, he failed to win as a juvenile and was on the sidelines for much of his 3-year-old season after being kicked at the post of the Kentucky Derby and springing a quarter crack during the race. Like a number of others from the Fair Play line, he was temperamental and known for being a bad actor at the post.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, My Play sired 65 winners (53.7%) and eight stakes winners (6.6%) from 121 named foals. Considering the poor class of most of his mates, his results were quite acceptable.
Notable progeny
Head Play (USA)
Connections
My Play was bred by August Belmont II. He was owned by E. R. Simms and Henry Oliver, who raced as Lexington Stable. He was trained by Roy J. Waldron. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1925 at Coldstream Stud and died suddenly on April 6, 1930.
Pedigree notes
My Play is inbred 5x5 to three-time English leading sire Galopin and seven-time English leading sire Hermit, both winners of the Derby Stakes. He is a full brother to the immortal Man o' War and to minor stakes winner Masda, dam of four minor stakes winners and third dam of 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault. My Play's dam Mahubah is a full sister to English stakes winner Sand Mole and a half sister to Canadian stakes winner Tactics (by Hastings). His second dam Merry Token (by 1887 Derby Stakes winner Merry Hampton) is a winning half sister to the minor English stakes winners Tanzmeister (by Saraband), Watchtower (by Muncaster) and Watchful (by Thurio).
Fun facts
Race record
Won US$32,490
1923:
- Won Aqueduct Handicap (USA, 10.5FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Bayview Handicap (USA)
1924:
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA, 16FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Latonia Cup (USA, 18FD, Latonia)
- 2nd Saratoga Cup (USA, 14FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Merchants' and Citizens' Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Saratoga)
Assessments
Ranked fifth among American older males of 1924 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
My Play was typical of the rangy staying types sired by Fair Play. A slow-maturing bay horse, he failed to win as a juvenile and was on the sidelines for much of his 3-year-old season after being kicked at the post of the Kentucky Derby and springing a quarter crack during the race. Like a number of others from the Fair Play line, he was temperamental and known for being a bad actor at the post.
As a stallion
According to Jockey Club records, My Play sired 65 winners (53.7%) and eight stakes winners (6.6%) from 121 named foals. Considering the poor class of most of his mates, his results were quite acceptable.
Notable progeny
Head Play (USA)
Connections
My Play was bred by August Belmont II. He was owned by E. R. Simms and Henry Oliver, who raced as Lexington Stable. He was trained by Roy J. Waldron. He entered stud in Kentucky in 1925 at Coldstream Stud and died suddenly on April 6, 1930.
Pedigree notes
My Play is inbred 5x5 to three-time English leading sire Galopin and seven-time English leading sire Hermit, both winners of the Derby Stakes. He is a full brother to the immortal Man o' War and to minor stakes winner Masda, dam of four minor stakes winners and third dam of 1946 Triple Crown winner Assault. My Play's dam Mahubah is a full sister to English stakes winner Sand Mole and a half sister to Canadian stakes winner Tactics (by Hastings). His second dam Merry Token (by 1887 Derby Stakes winner Merry Hampton) is a winning half sister to the minor English stakes winners Tanzmeister (by Saraband), Watchtower (by Muncaster) and Watchful (by Thurio).
Fun facts
- My Play got his name from August Belmont's original intent to keep him for his own stable, stating that as all three of his elder siblings (including Man o' War) had been sold, this one would be “my play” in the game of racing. Ironically, My Play ended up being sold as well.
- My Play, along with Man o' War and another full brother, Playfellow, all recorded mile times in races of under 1:37, making their dam Mahubah the first mare to produce three runners capable of cracking 1:37 for the mile—a considerable feat in a day when tracks were generally slower than they are now and most horses ran in steel shoes.
- Man o' War and My Play became the first set of brothers in American racing history to each sire at least one runner with career earnings of US$100,000 or more.