A big, strong mare with tremendous scope and power, Vertigineux had substantial talent but also had fragile ankles which limited her ability to display that talent. Her three stakes winners were progressively better, culminating in the great Zenyatta, regarded by most experts as one of the best mares ever to race in the United States.
Race record
7 starts, 2 wins, 0 second, 0 third, US$60,480
Honors
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Broodmare of the Year (2008)
As an individual
An impressive-looking dark bay or brown mare, Vertigineux had great bone and scope but had ankle problems throughout her racing career. She won twice as a 4-year-old, both at Belmont Park over 10 furlongs on turf. She was said to be easy to handle as a broodmare.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Vertigineux produced nine named foals, of which seven started and six won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Vertigineux was bred by Eric Kronfeld in the name of his Maverick Production, Limited, and raced in Kronfeld’s colors. Following Eblouissante’s birth, Vertigineux was sold to Coolmore’s Orpendale division and produced her remaining foals for the partnership of Orpendale, Chelston, and Wynatt. She died due to complications of colic in 2014.
Pedigree notes
Vertigineux is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to European stakes winners National Service (by Master Willie), Blash (by Master Willie), and Restrained (by Robellino), dam of French stakes winner Resting (by Bering) and third dam of French Group 3 winner Abu Sidra. Vertigineux is also a half sister to Mountcat (by Mountain Cat), dam of Malaysian stakes winner Monsili (by Dansili).
Vertigineux and her siblings are out of the winning Forli mare For the Flag, a half sister to Grade 3 winner Helenska (by Nijinsky II; second dam of Grade 2 winner War Kill). Another half sister to For the Flag, Miss Reality (by In Reality), is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Sweetest Thing and three other stakes winners.
For the Flag, in turn, is out of In the Offing (by Hoist the Flag x Mrs. Peterkin, by Tom Fool), a half sister to 1976 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G2) winner Sweet Alliance (by Sir Ivor; dam of 1983 Derby Stakes, ENG-G1, winner Shareef Dancer, by Northern Dancer). In the Offing is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner Dancing Champ (by Nijinsky II) and stakes winner Whydidju (by Hoist the Flag's sire Tom Rolfe), as well as to several noteworthy producers.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 14, 2024
Race record
7 starts, 2 wins, 0 second, 0 third, US$60,480
Honors
Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Broodmare of the Year (2008)
As an individual
An impressive-looking dark bay or brown mare, Vertigineux had great bone and scope but had ankle problems throughout her racing career. She won twice as a 4-year-old, both at Belmont Park over 10 furlongs on turf. She was said to be easy to handle as a broodmare.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Vertigineux produced nine named foals, of which seven started and six won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Where’s Bailey (2002, by Aljabr) won the 2005 Remington Park Oaks. She is the dam of two-time Yellow Ribbon Handicap (USA-G2) winner She’s Not Here (by Street Cry; dam of multiple stakes winner Talk of the Nation, by Quality Road).
- Balance (2003, by Thunder Gulch) won the 2006 Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-G1) and Santa Anita Oaks (USA-G1) and the 2007 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (USA-G1). To date, none of her foals have either won a stakes race or produced a stakes winner.
- Zenyatta (2004, by Street Cry) was the 2010 American Horse of the Year. None of her four named foals of racing age have won a race.
- Treasure Trail (2006, by Pulpit) failed to win in four starts but is the dam of 2016 Diamond Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Long Island Sound (by War Front).
- Eblouissante (2009, by Bernardini) won two of her seven starts. She is the dam of 2023 Rebel Stakes (USA-G2) winner Confidence Game (by Candy Ride).
- Harley Rose (2011, by Henrythenavigator) never raced but is the dam of listed stakes winner Belle of the North (by Street Boss).
Connections
Vertigineux was bred by Eric Kronfeld in the name of his Maverick Production, Limited, and raced in Kronfeld’s colors. Following Eblouissante’s birth, Vertigineux was sold to Coolmore’s Orpendale division and produced her remaining foals for the partnership of Orpendale, Chelston, and Wynatt. She died due to complications of colic in 2014.
Pedigree notes
Vertigineux is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to European stakes winners National Service (by Master Willie), Blash (by Master Willie), and Restrained (by Robellino), dam of French stakes winner Resting (by Bering) and third dam of French Group 3 winner Abu Sidra. Vertigineux is also a half sister to Mountcat (by Mountain Cat), dam of Malaysian stakes winner Monsili (by Dansili).
Vertigineux and her siblings are out of the winning Forli mare For the Flag, a half sister to Grade 3 winner Helenska (by Nijinsky II; second dam of Grade 2 winner War Kill). Another half sister to For the Flag, Miss Reality (by In Reality), is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Sweetest Thing and three other stakes winners.
For the Flag, in turn, is out of In the Offing (by Hoist the Flag x Mrs. Peterkin, by Tom Fool), a half sister to 1976 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G2) winner Sweet Alliance (by Sir Ivor; dam of 1983 Derby Stakes, ENG-G1, winner Shareef Dancer, by Northern Dancer). In the Offing is also a half sister to Grade 2 winner Dancing Champ (by Nijinsky II) and stakes winner Whydidju (by Hoist the Flag's sire Tom Rolfe), as well as to several noteworthy producers.
Fun facts
- "Vertigineux" can be roughly translated from French as "very big" or "very important."
Last updated: September 14, 2024