On Watch was one of the best sons of the great Colin, but he was nowhere near the class of his sire. Further, he had the misfortune of coming along in the same crop as a still better runner, the immortal Man o' War. Nonetheless, he complied a respectable record as a racehorse and a stallion. He was the sire of one champion, the filly War Plumage, and the maternal grandsire of two more in the popular hero Stymie and the first-rate stayer Market Wise.
Race record
59 starts, 23 wins, US$64,245
1919:
1920:
1921:
1922:
Assessments
Ranked third among American 2-year-old males of 1919 by The Blood-Horse.
Ranked fifth among American 3-year-old males of 1920 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A well-balanced, smoothly made bay horse, On Watch was rather light-bodied and long-backed. He had a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, On Watch sired 89 winners (52.0%) and 12 stakes winners (7.0%) from 171 named foals.
Notable progeny
Tick On (USA), War Plumage (USA)
Connections
On Watch was bred by James W. Corrigan. He was owned by George W. Loft and was trained by Max Hirsch. While his death was not reported to the keepers of the American Stud Book, he had registered foals at least as late as 1942.
Pedigree notes
On Watch is inbred 3x4 to the speed influence Springfield, a two-time winner of the July Cup. He is a half brother to stakes winner Ultima Thule (by Ultimus). His dam Rubia Granda is out of The Great Ruby (by Star Ruby or Artillery), a half sister to the juvenile stakes winner Senella (by Sensation). The next dam in On Watch's tail-female line, 1881 Ladies' Handicap winner Aella, is by four-time American champion sire Glenelg out of the Lexington mare La Henderson and is a full sister to 1879 American champion 3-year-old filly Ferida and stakes winner Ferona and a half sister to 1882 Preakness Stakes winner Vanguard (by Virgil).
Race record
59 starts, 23 wins, US$64,245
1919:
- Won National Stakes (USA, 6FD, Laurel)
- Won Queen City Handicap (USA, 8FD, Latonia)
- Won Manor Handicap (USA, 8FD, Laurel)
- 2nd Keene Memorial Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Youthful Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Jamaica)
- 2nd Juvenile Stakes (USA, 5FD, Belmont)
1920:
- Won Pimlico Autumn Handicap (USA, 10FD, Pimlico; new track record)
- Won Yonkers Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Empire City)
- Won Mineola Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- Won Bayview Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Aqueduct; new track record 1:43-4/5)
- 2nd Arverne Stakes (USA, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Fall Highweight Handicap (USA, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Latonia Championship (USA, 14FD, Latonia)
- 3rd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Jerome Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
1921:
- Won Paumonok Handicap (USA, 6FD, Jamaica)
1922:
- Won Rainbow Handicap (USA, 6FD, Jamaica)
- 2nd Pimlico Fall Serial #1 (USA, 6FD, Pimlico)
- 3rd Pimlico Fall Serial #2 (USA, 8FD, Pimlico)
- 3rd Mount Vernon Stakes (USA, 8FD, Empire City)
Assessments
Ranked third among American 2-year-old males of 1919 by The Blood-Horse.
Ranked fifth among American 3-year-old males of 1920 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A well-balanced, smoothly made bay horse, On Watch was rather light-bodied and long-backed. He had a good shoulder and a straight, strong hind leg.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, On Watch sired 89 winners (52.0%) and 12 stakes winners (7.0%) from 171 named foals.
Notable progeny
Tick On (USA), War Plumage (USA)
Connections
On Watch was bred by James W. Corrigan. He was owned by George W. Loft and was trained by Max Hirsch. While his death was not reported to the keepers of the American Stud Book, he had registered foals at least as late as 1942.
Pedigree notes
On Watch is inbred 3x4 to the speed influence Springfield, a two-time winner of the July Cup. He is a half brother to stakes winner Ultima Thule (by Ultimus). His dam Rubia Granda is out of The Great Ruby (by Star Ruby or Artillery), a half sister to the juvenile stakes winner Senella (by Sensation). The next dam in On Watch's tail-female line, 1881 Ladies' Handicap winner Aella, is by four-time American champion sire Glenelg out of the Lexington mare La Henderson and is a full sister to 1879 American champion 3-year-old filly Ferida and stakes winner Ferona and a half sister to 1882 Preakness Stakes winner Vanguard (by Virgil).