Raja Baba (USA)
April 5, 1968 – October 9, 2002
Bold Ruler (USA) x Missy Baba (USA), by Tulyar (IRE) or My Babu (FR)
Family 3-l
April 5, 1968 – October 9, 2002
Bold Ruler (USA) x Missy Baba (USA), by Tulyar (IRE) or My Babu (FR)
Family 3-l
Raja Baba was a tough, durable sprinter, but his racing credentials were no better than those of dozens of other horses that went to stud in 1973. His pedigree was something else again. Sired by seven-time American leading sire Bold Ruler out of the blue hen Missy Baba, herself a daughter of the 1941 Irish Oaks winner and fine producer Uvira II, he had a pedigree second to none and excellent conformation. He made the most of his opportunities at stud and established a branch of Bold Ruler's male line extending to his grandson Yes It's True.
Race record
41 starts, 7 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, US$123,287
1970:
1971:
1972:
Assessments
Rated at 115 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1970, 11 pounds below champion Hoist the Flag.
Rated at 114 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American sprinters of 1971, 12 pounds below champion Duck Dance.
As an individual
A well-balanced bay horse, Raja Baba stood 15.3 hands. He was compact, short-legged and correct with strong forearms and extremely powerful quarters. He was said to have had a kindly temperament.
As a stallion
Raja Baba led the American general sire list in 1980 and was 10th in 1981. He also led the American juvenile sire list in 1976 and 1980 and led the American freshman sire list in 1976. His offspring were generally sound and durable but usually did not stay more than 9 furlongs. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Raja Baba sired 365 winners (61.7%) and 62 stakes winners (10.5%) from 592 named foals.
Notable progeny
Gran Zar (MEX), Is It True (USA), Junius (USA), Ride Sally (USA), Royal Ski (USA), Sacahuista (USA), Summer Mood (CAN), Well Decorated (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Raja Baba was bred and owned by Michael G. Phipps. He was trained by Del W. Carroll. He was purchased by William S. Farish for a reported US$200,000 at the end of his 4-year-old season. He stood at Heritage Farm in Kentucky throughout his stud career. He was humanely destroyed due to the infirmities of old age in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Raja Baba is inbred 4x5 to 1923 English champion 2-year-old filly Mumtaz Mahal and 5x5x4 to three-time English leading sire Blandford. He is a half brother to five other stakes winners including 1977 Arlington-Washington Futurity (USA-G1) winner Sauce Boat (by Key to the Mint) and 1970 Ashland Oaks winner Gay Missile (by Sir Gaylord), a notable producer who stands at the head of the most vigorous branch of Missy Baba's family. Raja Baba is also a half brother to 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser) and to graded stakes producers Sooni (by Buckpasser) and Pennyworth (by Key to the Mint).
Raja Baba's dam Missy Baba was produced from 1941 Irish Oaks winner Uvira II (by Umidwar). She is a half sister to the stakes-winning colts Colonel O'F (by Teddy's Comet), Noble Impulse (by Bull Dog), General Staff (by Mahmoud), Parnassus (by War Admiral) and Francis U. (by Francis S.). She is also a half sister to Obedient (by Mahmoud), dam of the good stakes winners Iron Ruler (by Never Bend; a useful sire) and Don't Alibi (by Alibhai); to Navira (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple stakes winners Royal Comedian (by Tom Fool) and Chateauvira (by Chateaugay) and second dam of multiple stakes winner Tanagra; to Purdah (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple stakes producer Scatter Plan (by Quadrangle); to Blarney Bess (by Tulyar), second dam of 1994 Dubai Champion Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Dernier Empereur and European Group 3 winners Petipa, Prattle On and Sarasota Spring; and to Oonagh (by Sword Dancer), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Hunza Dancer (by Hawaii).
Last updated: March 5, 2023
Race record
41 starts, 7 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, US$123,287
1970:
- Won Alligator Stakes (first division) (USA, 6FD, Tropical Park)
- 3rd Breeders' Futurity (USA, 7f+184ftD, Keeneland)
1971:
- Won Francis Scott Key Handicap (USA, 6FD, Bowie)
- Won Delaware Valley Handicap (USA, 6FD, Garden State)
- 3rd Hutcheson Stakes (USA, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Hibiscus Stakes (USA, 6FD, Hialeah)
1972:
- 2nd Japan Racing Association Handicap (USA, 6FD, Laurel)
- 2nd Garrison Handicap (USA, 6FD, Keystone)
- 2nd Phoenix Handicap (second division) (USA, 6FD, Keeneland)
- 3rd Firecracker Handicap (USA, 6FD, Liberty Bell)
- 3rd Hannibal Handicap (USA, 6FD, Delaware)
Assessments
Rated at 115 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1970, 11 pounds below champion Hoist the Flag.
Rated at 114 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American sprinters of 1971, 12 pounds below champion Duck Dance.
As an individual
A well-balanced bay horse, Raja Baba stood 15.3 hands. He was compact, short-legged and correct with strong forearms and extremely powerful quarters. He was said to have had a kindly temperament.
As a stallion
Raja Baba led the American general sire list in 1980 and was 10th in 1981. He also led the American juvenile sire list in 1976 and 1980 and led the American freshman sire list in 1976. His offspring were generally sound and durable but usually did not stay more than 9 furlongs. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Raja Baba sired 365 winners (61.7%) and 62 stakes winners (10.5%) from 592 named foals.
Notable progeny
Gran Zar (MEX), Is It True (USA), Junius (USA), Ride Sally (USA), Royal Ski (USA), Sacahuista (USA), Summer Mood (CAN), Well Decorated (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Raja Baba was bred and owned by Michael G. Phipps. He was trained by Del W. Carroll. He was purchased by William S. Farish for a reported US$200,000 at the end of his 4-year-old season. He stood at Heritage Farm in Kentucky throughout his stud career. He was humanely destroyed due to the infirmities of old age in 2002.
Pedigree notes
Raja Baba is inbred 4x5 to 1923 English champion 2-year-old filly Mumtaz Mahal and 5x5x4 to three-time English leading sire Blandford. He is a half brother to five other stakes winners including 1977 Arlington-Washington Futurity (USA-G1) winner Sauce Boat (by Key to the Mint) and 1970 Ashland Oaks winner Gay Missile (by Sir Gaylord), a notable producer who stands at the head of the most vigorous branch of Missy Baba's family. Raja Baba is also a half brother to 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser) and to graded stakes producers Sooni (by Buckpasser) and Pennyworth (by Key to the Mint).
Raja Baba's dam Missy Baba was produced from 1941 Irish Oaks winner Uvira II (by Umidwar). She is a half sister to the stakes-winning colts Colonel O'F (by Teddy's Comet), Noble Impulse (by Bull Dog), General Staff (by Mahmoud), Parnassus (by War Admiral) and Francis U. (by Francis S.). She is also a half sister to Obedient (by Mahmoud), dam of the good stakes winners Iron Ruler (by Never Bend; a useful sire) and Don't Alibi (by Alibhai); to Navira (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple stakes winners Royal Comedian (by Tom Fool) and Chateauvira (by Chateaugay) and second dam of multiple stakes winner Tanagra; to Purdah (by Nasrullah), dam of multiple stakes producer Scatter Plan (by Quadrangle); to Blarney Bess (by Tulyar), second dam of 1994 Dubai Champion Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Dernier Empereur and European Group 3 winners Petipa, Prattle On and Sarasota Spring; and to Oonagh (by Sword Dancer), dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Hunza Dancer (by Hawaii).
Last updated: March 5, 2023