A growthy filly, Pure Rye needed until the spring of her 3-year-old season to find her best form and reached her peak in the Kentucky Oaks. She did not race after her sophomore year. In a broodmare career plagued by slips and barrenness, she produced only four named foals, but both her daughters had success as broodmares
Race record
Complete record unavailable
1885:
1886:
As an individual
A bay, Pure Rye was described in the Louisville Courier-Journal of May 18, 1886 as “a slashing fine filly, standing close to sixteen hands high.” She showed a powerful turn of foot in her Kentucky Oaks victory.
As a producer
Pure Rye produced four named foals. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Pure Rye was bred by Colonel Ezekiel Clay and Colonel Catesby Woodford at their Runnymede Stud. Owned by W. S. Barnes & Co., whose chief partner, W. S. Barnes, owned Melbourne Stud (in partnership with Colonel J. E. Pepper) and purchased Pure Rye from the annual Runnymede yearling sale for US$2,500. She was trained to her Oaks victory by Edward "Brown Dick" Brown. On December 15, 1886, Pure Rye went through the auction ring at the Lexington sales and was purchased by David Pulsifer for US$2,500, with Barnes retaining an option to repurchase her for US$2,000 in the event that she broke down. Following her racing career, Pure Rye passed back into the hands of Clay and Woodford, later becoming the property of Clay alone.
Pedigree notes
Pure Rye's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. She is a full sister to Grey Dawn, winner of the 1890 Brookdale Handicap, and a half sister to Spark (by Leamington), winner of the 1881 Hunter Stakes and dam of stakes winner Martha II (by Dandie Dinmont). Martha II, in turn, is the dam of 1904 American co-champion filly Artful (by Hamburg), the only horse ever to win over the great Sysonby and a filly whose only two losses were to stablemates who had been declared to win under the racing rules of the time.
Mary Clark, the dam of Pure Rye, won the 1871 Sequel Stakes. She was produced from the Glencoe mare Eagless also the dam of 1871 Champagne Stakes winner Grey Planet (by Planet), 1873 Monmouth Oaks winner Lizzie Lucas (by Australian; second dam of 1893 American co-champion 3-year-old male Morello, 1904 Belmont Stakes winner and American co-champion 3-year-old male Delhi, 1894 Champagne Stakes and Matron Stakes winner Salvation, 1897 Toronto Cup Handicap winner Tragedian and 1901 Carter Handicap winner Motley) and 1873 Saratoga Stakes winner Steel Eyes (by Planet). In addition, Eagless produced Mat Eagless (by Lexington), second dam of 1889 Carlton Stakes winner Carroll.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 20, 2022
Race record
Complete record unavailable
1885:
- 2nd Louisville Ladies' Stake (USA, 5FD, Churchill Downs)
1886:
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA, 12FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Ashland Oaks (USA, 10FD, Lexington; dead heat with Mary Ann)
- 2nd Sheridan Stakes (USA, 10FD, Washington Park)
- 3rd Englewood Stakes (USA, 8FD, Washington Park)
- 3rd West End Hotel Stakes (USA, 12FD, Monmouth)
As an individual
A bay, Pure Rye was described in the Louisville Courier-Journal of May 18, 1886 as “a slashing fine filly, standing close to sixteen hands high.” She showed a powerful turn of foot in her Kentucky Oaks victory.
As a producer
Pure Rye produced four named foals. Her important foals are as follow:
- Phalia (1893, by Hindoo) produced 1906 Latonia Oaks winner Content (by Bridgewater), dam of juvenile stakes winner Solid Comfort (by Voter), and stakes winner Flying Ship (by Flying Dutchman), dam of two-time American champion filly Ocean Bound (by Star Shoot) and juvenile stakes winner Sea Shell (by Star Shoot).
- Maribel (1900, by Hindoo) produced stakes winner Lady Teresa (by Star Shoot), in turn the dam of stakes winner Allenfern (by Assagai). Through another daughter, Sky Rocket (by Star Shoot), Maribel is also the second dam of 1928 Coronation Stakes winner Pin Wheel and two-time Colonial Handicap winner Push Pin.
Connections
Pure Rye was bred by Colonel Ezekiel Clay and Colonel Catesby Woodford at their Runnymede Stud. Owned by W. S. Barnes & Co., whose chief partner, W. S. Barnes, owned Melbourne Stud (in partnership with Colonel J. E. Pepper) and purchased Pure Rye from the annual Runnymede yearling sale for US$2,500. She was trained to her Oaks victory by Edward "Brown Dick" Brown. On December 15, 1886, Pure Rye went through the auction ring at the Lexington sales and was purchased by David Pulsifer for US$2,500, with Barnes retaining an option to repurchase her for US$2,000 in the event that she broke down. Following her racing career, Pure Rye passed back into the hands of Clay and Woodford, later becoming the property of Clay alone.
Pedigree notes
Pure Rye's pedigree is outcrossed through five generations. She is a full sister to Grey Dawn, winner of the 1890 Brookdale Handicap, and a half sister to Spark (by Leamington), winner of the 1881 Hunter Stakes and dam of stakes winner Martha II (by Dandie Dinmont). Martha II, in turn, is the dam of 1904 American co-champion filly Artful (by Hamburg), the only horse ever to win over the great Sysonby and a filly whose only two losses were to stablemates who had been declared to win under the racing rules of the time.
Mary Clark, the dam of Pure Rye, won the 1871 Sequel Stakes. She was produced from the Glencoe mare Eagless also the dam of 1871 Champagne Stakes winner Grey Planet (by Planet), 1873 Monmouth Oaks winner Lizzie Lucas (by Australian; second dam of 1893 American co-champion 3-year-old male Morello, 1904 Belmont Stakes winner and American co-champion 3-year-old male Delhi, 1894 Champagne Stakes and Matron Stakes winner Salvation, 1897 Toronto Cup Handicap winner Tragedian and 1901 Carter Handicap winner Motley) and 1873 Saratoga Stakes winner Steel Eyes (by Planet). In addition, Eagless produced Mat Eagless (by Lexington), second dam of 1889 Carlton Stakes winner Carroll.
Fun facts
- Pure Rye was the fifth of six Kentucky Oaks winners produced from daughters of Lexington, the most successful broodmare sire in the history of the race. The others were Lucy May (1881), Katie Creel (1882), Vera (1883), Lizzie Dwyer (1885) and Miss Hawkins (1891).
Last updated: September 20, 2022