Pompey was easily the best American 2-year-old male of his year, but did not train on at he same level although he was a stakes winner at 3. A good stallion, he was known as a source of speed and precocity.
Race record
35 starts, 13 wins, 7 seconds, 7 thirds, US$143,495
1925:
1926:
1927:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1925)
Assessments
Rated ninth among American 3-year-old males of 1926 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A smoothly made, elegant but strong bay horse of great quality, Pompey stood just over 16 hands. He had a well sloped shoulder and strong hindquarters. He was indifferent as to track conditions and had a professional demeanor as a racehorse.
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Pompey sired 203 winners and 31 stakes winners from 301 named foals. He is a Brilliant chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Caesars Ghost (USA), Ladysman (USA), Pompoon (USA), Rippey (USA), Some Pomp (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Count Turf (USA), Loser Weeper (USA), Some Chance (USA)
Connections
Bred by William R. Coe, Pompey raced in the colors of Coe’s Shoshone Stable. He was trained by William Karrick. Pompey entered stud in 1928 at Shoshone Stud and remained there until Coe dispersed his bloodstock in 1935. At that time, he was purchased by Arthur Hancock and the Stone Farm Association and was moved to Hancock’s Ellerslie Stud in Virginia, where he remained until his death in 1944.
Pedigree notes
Pompey is inbred 4x5x5 to unbeaten St. Simon, a nine-time leader of the English/Irish general sire list. He is also inbred 5x5 to seven-time English/Irish champion sire Hermit, winner of the 1867 Derby Stakes. Pompey is a full brother to 1931 Selima Stakes winner Laughing Queen, second dam of the good juvenile Algasir and 1953 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Gaga and the third dam of 1953 American Horse of the Year Tom Fool, 1950 American champion 2-year-old filly Aunt Jinny, and the good stakes winner Ambiopoise.. He is also a full brother to Sunny Queen, dam of multiple stakes winner Kings Blue (by Blue Larkspur). In addition, Pompey is a half brother to stakes winner Caesarion (by Man o’ War).
Pompey was produced from 1920 American champion 3-year-old filly Cleopatra, whose sire Corcyra (by Polymelus) won the Middle Park Stakes. She was the only foal produced by her dam Gallice, an unattractive mare that Arthur Hancock purchased for just 95 guineas. Gallice's pedigree was her primary attraction, as her sire Gallinule was a two-time English champion sire and five-time champion broodmare sire, while her dam St. Cecilia was by St. Simon's good son St. Serf out of the useful stakes winner Melody (by Tynedale) and so was a half sister to 1900 One Thousand Guineas winner Winifreda (by St. Simon) and to Red Lily (by Persimmon), dam of 1913 Goodwood Cup winner Catmint (by Spearmint).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: June 20, 2023
Race record
35 starts, 13 wins, 7 seconds, 7 thirds, US$143,495
1925:
- Won Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga; new track record 1:17-4/5)
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, @7FD, Belmont)
- Won United States Hotel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won East View Stakes (USA, @6FD, Empire City)
- 2nd Saratoga Special (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
1926:
- Won Wood Stakes (USA, 8FD+70y, Jamaica)
- 2nd Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Edgemere Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Potomac Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Havre de Grace)
- 3rd President's Plate (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd October Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- 3rd Fall Highweight Handicap (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
1927:
- 3rd Delaware Handicap (USA, 8FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Toboggan Handicap (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1925)
Assessments
Rated ninth among American 3-year-old males of 1926 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A smoothly made, elegant but strong bay horse of great quality, Pompey stood just over 16 hands. He had a well sloped shoulder and strong hindquarters. He was indifferent as to track conditions and had a professional demeanor as a racehorse.
As a stallion
According to statistics complied by The Jockey Club, Pompey sired 203 winners and 31 stakes winners from 301 named foals. He is a Brilliant chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 9th on the American general sire list in 1942.
- 6th on the American broodmare sire list in 1950; 9th in 1946 and 1949.
- Led the American juvenile sire list in 1932 and 1936.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 1932; 4th in 1933 and 1943; 5th in 1936; 9th in 1942.
- 5th on the American broodmare sire list in 1951; 6th in 1950; 7th in 1953; 8th in 1952; 9th in 1946 and 1949; 10th in 1954.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 2nd on the American general sire list in 1932; 4th in 1933 and 1943; 5th in 1936; 9th in 1942.
- 5th on the American broodmare sire list in 1950; 7th in 1953; 8th in 1952; 9th in 1946 and 1949; 10th in 1954.
Notable progeny
Caesars Ghost (USA), Ladysman (USA), Pompoon (USA), Rippey (USA), Some Pomp (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Count Turf (USA), Loser Weeper (USA), Some Chance (USA)
Connections
Bred by William R. Coe, Pompey raced in the colors of Coe’s Shoshone Stable. He was trained by William Karrick. Pompey entered stud in 1928 at Shoshone Stud and remained there until Coe dispersed his bloodstock in 1935. At that time, he was purchased by Arthur Hancock and the Stone Farm Association and was moved to Hancock’s Ellerslie Stud in Virginia, where he remained until his death in 1944.
Pedigree notes
Pompey is inbred 4x5x5 to unbeaten St. Simon, a nine-time leader of the English/Irish general sire list. He is also inbred 5x5 to seven-time English/Irish champion sire Hermit, winner of the 1867 Derby Stakes. Pompey is a full brother to 1931 Selima Stakes winner Laughing Queen, second dam of the good juvenile Algasir and 1953 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Gaga and the third dam of 1953 American Horse of the Year Tom Fool, 1950 American champion 2-year-old filly Aunt Jinny, and the good stakes winner Ambiopoise.. He is also a full brother to Sunny Queen, dam of multiple stakes winner Kings Blue (by Blue Larkspur). In addition, Pompey is a half brother to stakes winner Caesarion (by Man o’ War).
Pompey was produced from 1920 American champion 3-year-old filly Cleopatra, whose sire Corcyra (by Polymelus) won the Middle Park Stakes. She was the only foal produced by her dam Gallice, an unattractive mare that Arthur Hancock purchased for just 95 guineas. Gallice's pedigree was her primary attraction, as her sire Gallinule was a two-time English champion sire and five-time champion broodmare sire, while her dam St. Cecilia was by St. Simon's good son St. Serf out of the useful stakes winner Melody (by Tynedale) and so was a half sister to 1900 One Thousand Guineas winner Winifreda (by St. Simon) and to Red Lily (by Persimmon), dam of 1913 Goodwood Cup winner Catmint (by Spearmint).
Fun facts
- In history, Pompey (Gnaius Pompeius Magnus) was a noted Roman general who became part of the First Triumvirate, ruling Rome together with Gaius Julius Caesar and Marcus Licinius Crassus. After the deaths of Crassus and Pompey’s wife Julia (the daughter of Caesar), Pompey engaged in a power struggle with Caesar which ended with his defeat in the Battle of Pharsalus in 48 BCE and his subsequent assassination in Egypt, where he had fled for safety.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: June 20, 2023