Although he was considered the best American juvenile male of 1901, it is questionable whether Nasturtium was the superior of champion filly Endurance by Right, who had been much harder raced when he easily outfinished her in the Flatbush Stakes (she finished third); further clouding the form, she and second-place Goldsmith were also in the Whitney stable, and Nasturtium had been declared to win according to the racing conventions of the time. Nasturtium’s merits may also be argued in relation to the other top filly of the year, Blue Girl, who beat him handily in the Great American Stakes (although it must be said in fairness that the colt got the worst of a roughly run race). An attempt to send him to England for the 1902 Derby Stakes ended disastrously as he became ill, did not start in England, and developed a breathing issue that kept him from racing again. He was an indifferent stallion but made a couple of significant contributions: his daughter Stamina was a two-time American champion, and another daughter, White Thorn, became the second dam of the international hero Épinard.
Race record
5 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
1901:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1901)
As an individual
A powerfully made chestnut horse with impressive action at the gallop, Nasturtium stood 15.2 hands early in his 3-year-old season. He returned from his venture to England as a “roarer,” a horse with an audible breathing problem, and did not race again.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan’s Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 Vol. 2, Nasturtium sired five stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Stamina (USA)
Connections
Foaled in California, Nasturtium was bred by James Ben Ali Haggin at his Rancho Del Paso. He was bought as a yearling by William Astor Chandler and John G. Follansbee, who later sold him at auction to Anthony L. Aste for US$4,300. William Collins Whitney later bought the colt following Nasturtium’s victory in the Double Event for a price variously reported at US$50,000 up to US$75,000—either way, a huge price at that time, said by the Brooklyn Times-Union to be the highest given for a racehorse in training. (According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of August 30, 1901, Haggin may have gone in with Whitney on the colt.) Nasturtium was initially trained by James McLaughlin; after his sale to Whitney, he was trained by John W. Rogers. Nasturtium was trained by John Huggins while in England.
In 1903, Nasturtium entered stud at Haggin’s Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky, with Whitney apparently maintaining a controlling interest in him. Following Whitney’s death, Nasturtium sold for US$10,000 to Colonel Milton Young at the dispersal sale and was installed as a stallion at Young’s McGrathiana Stud. He later stood at George Stoll’s The Meadows, where he was found dead in his paddock in June 1916.
Pedigree notes
Nasturtium is inbred 4x5x5 to seven-time English/Irish champion sire Stockwell, winner of the 1852 Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger Stakes. He is a half brother to Sweet Marjorie (by Goldfinch), dam of multiple stakes winner Lounger (by Sweep).
Margerique, the dam of Nasturtium, is a half sister to multiple stakes winner and successful sire The Commoner (by Hanover) and to Rhoda B. (by Hanover), dam of 1907 Derby Stakes and Irish Derby winner Orby (by Orme) and 1908 One Thousand Guineas winner Rhodora (by St. Frusquin). She is also a half sister to Marechal Neil (by Hanover), second dam of 1916 Paumonok Handicap and Excelsior Handicap winner Sand Marsh. The sisters’ dam, Margerine, is by 1876 Belmont Stakes winner Algerine out of the English import Sweet Songstress (by 1873 Derby Stakes winner Doncaster).
Fun facts
Last updated: April 21, 2023
Race record
5 starts, 3 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds
1901:
- Won Double Event #1 (USA, 5.5FD, Sheepshead Bay; new track record 1:04-1/5)
- Won Flatbush Stakes (USA, 7FD, Sheepshead Bay; new track record 1:25-3/5)
- 2nd Great American Stakes (USA, 5FD, Gravesend)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1901)
As an individual
A powerfully made chestnut horse with impressive action at the gallop, Nasturtium stood 15.2 hands early in his 3-year-old season. He returned from his venture to England as a “roarer,” a horse with an audible breathing problem, and did not race again.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan’s Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 Vol. 2, Nasturtium sired five stakes winners.
Notable progeny
Stamina (USA)
Connections
Foaled in California, Nasturtium was bred by James Ben Ali Haggin at his Rancho Del Paso. He was bought as a yearling by William Astor Chandler and John G. Follansbee, who later sold him at auction to Anthony L. Aste for US$4,300. William Collins Whitney later bought the colt following Nasturtium’s victory in the Double Event for a price variously reported at US$50,000 up to US$75,000—either way, a huge price at that time, said by the Brooklyn Times-Union to be the highest given for a racehorse in training. (According to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle of August 30, 1901, Haggin may have gone in with Whitney on the colt.) Nasturtium was initially trained by James McLaughlin; after his sale to Whitney, he was trained by John W. Rogers. Nasturtium was trained by John Huggins while in England.
In 1903, Nasturtium entered stud at Haggin’s Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky, with Whitney apparently maintaining a controlling interest in him. Following Whitney’s death, Nasturtium sold for US$10,000 to Colonel Milton Young at the dispersal sale and was installed as a stallion at Young’s McGrathiana Stud. He later stood at George Stoll’s The Meadows, where he was found dead in his paddock in June 1916.
Pedigree notes
Nasturtium is inbred 4x5x5 to seven-time English/Irish champion sire Stockwell, winner of the 1852 Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger Stakes. He is a half brother to Sweet Marjorie (by Goldfinch), dam of multiple stakes winner Lounger (by Sweep).
Margerique, the dam of Nasturtium, is a half sister to multiple stakes winner and successful sire The Commoner (by Hanover) and to Rhoda B. (by Hanover), dam of 1907 Derby Stakes and Irish Derby winner Orby (by Orme) and 1908 One Thousand Guineas winner Rhodora (by St. Frusquin). She is also a half sister to Marechal Neil (by Hanover), second dam of 1916 Paumonok Handicap and Excelsior Handicap winner Sand Marsh. The sisters’ dam, Margerine, is by 1876 Belmont Stakes winner Algerine out of the English import Sweet Songstress (by 1873 Derby Stakes winner Doncaster).
Fun facts
- In botany, Nasturtium is the genus name for a group of edible plants commonly known as “watercress” or “yellowcress,” typically found in wet areas. The leaves have a peppery, tangy flavor. An unrelated plant, the garden nasturtium, is grown for its yellow, orange, or red flowers but can also be eaten and also has a peppery taste.
- Nasturtium is said to have been a reason that the Whitney stable began wintering its horses in Aiken, South Carolina, rather than Westbury, New York, as Whitney felt that the climate in New York had something to do with Nasturtium and his stablemate, Endurance by Right, becoming roarers.
Last updated: April 21, 2023