A five-length winner of the Kentucky Oaks and a victor on several occasion against high-class males, Waterblossom was one of the best fillies of her crop but was overshadowed by the great Regret. Her family bred on fairly well during the period between World War I and World War II but has had only scattered successes since then.
Race record
28 starts, 16 wins, US$16,802
1914:
1915:
1916:
As an individual
Waterblosssom was a "very racy looking" bay mare according to the Louisville Courier-Journal's Kentucky Oaks coverage. Her one extant photograph suggests that she had a long pelvis with a sloping croup and strong muscling down into her gaskins but was upright in the shoulder and sickle-hocked.
As a producer
Waterblossom produced nine foals, of which eight started and won. There is no report of her after 1935, when she was reported barren. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Waterblossom was bred by C. H. Berryman and was owned by Major Thomas Clay McDowell. She was trained by George Denny. She spent her entire broodmare career at McDowell's Ashland Stud. When Ashland's stock was dispersed following McDowell's death in 1935, Waterblossom was withheld from the sale due to "age and infirmities."
Pedigree notes
Waterblossom is inbred 3x3 to 1880 CJC New Zealand Derby winner Sir Modred, the American leading sire of 1894. She is also inbred 5x5 to seven-time English leading sire Stockwell, winner of the 1852 Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger Stakes. Sired by Saratoga Handicap winner Waterboy, Waterblossom is a full sister to five-time stakes winner Waterbass and a half sister to Ballotade (by Ballot), dam of six-time stakes winner Sir Harry (by Wildair).
Waterblossom's dam Basseting is by the St. Simon horse Bassetlaw out of Suscol (by Sir Modred), a full sister to 1893 Gazelle Stakes and Ladies' Handicap winner Naptha and a half sister to My Gyps (by Kyrle Daly), dam of four stakes winners including 1914 Latonia Derby winner John Gund (by Peep o' Day) and third dam of 1923 Spinaway Stakes winner Anna Marrone II. Suscol and her siblings were produced from Napa (by Enquirer).
Books and media
Waterblossom is profiled in Chapter 4 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Waterblossom, Martin up, after winning the 1915 Ashland Oaks. Photographer unknown; originally published in the Thoroughbred Record of May 1, 1915. From the Keeneland Library General Collection; used by permission.
Last updated: December 23, 2023
Race record
28 starts, 16 wins, US$16,802
1914:
- 2nd Debutante Stakes (USA, 4FD, Churchill Downs)
1915:
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Alabama Stakes (USA, 9FD, Saratoga)
- Won Ashland Oaks (USA, 8FD, Lexington)
- Won Canadian Derby (CAN, 10FD, Fort Erie)
1916:
- Won Latonia Inaugural Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Latonia)
As an individual
Waterblosssom was a "very racy looking" bay mare according to the Louisville Courier-Journal's Kentucky Oaks coverage. Her one extant photograph suggests that she had a long pelvis with a sloping croup and strong muscling down into her gaskins but was upright in the shoulder and sickle-hocked.
As a producer
Waterblossom produced nine foals, of which eight started and won. There is no report of her after 1935, when she was reported barren. Her important foals are as follow:
- Magic Wand (1921, by Peter Pan), won a minor stakes race per Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967.
- Waterflag (1922, by Sir Martin) is the third dam of 1954 Stars and Stripes Handicap winner Sir Mango.
- Ship of War (1924, by Man o' War) produced 1938 Preakness Stakes winner Dauber (by Pennant) and juvenile stakes winner Billy M. (by Peter Pan).
- Aquastella (1926, by Cudgel) won the 1929 Alabama Stakes. Her produce includes the stakes-winning hurdler Last. Aquastella is also the third dam of four minor stakes winners.
- Waterset (1931, by Upset) is the third dam of multiple Canadian stakes winner Greek Salt.
Connections
Waterblossom was bred by C. H. Berryman and was owned by Major Thomas Clay McDowell. She was trained by George Denny. She spent her entire broodmare career at McDowell's Ashland Stud. When Ashland's stock was dispersed following McDowell's death in 1935, Waterblossom was withheld from the sale due to "age and infirmities."
Pedigree notes
Waterblossom is inbred 3x3 to 1880 CJC New Zealand Derby winner Sir Modred, the American leading sire of 1894. She is also inbred 5x5 to seven-time English leading sire Stockwell, winner of the 1852 Two Thousand Guineas and St. Leger Stakes. Sired by Saratoga Handicap winner Waterboy, Waterblossom is a full sister to five-time stakes winner Waterbass and a half sister to Ballotade (by Ballot), dam of six-time stakes winner Sir Harry (by Wildair).
Waterblossom's dam Basseting is by the St. Simon horse Bassetlaw out of Suscol (by Sir Modred), a full sister to 1893 Gazelle Stakes and Ladies' Handicap winner Naptha and a half sister to My Gyps (by Kyrle Daly), dam of four stakes winners including 1914 Latonia Derby winner John Gund (by Peep o' Day) and third dam of 1923 Spinaway Stakes winner Anna Marrone II. Suscol and her siblings were produced from Napa (by Enquirer).
Books and media
Waterblossom is profiled in Chapter 4 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- Although Regret had been nominated to the Kentucky Oaks as well as the Kentucky Derby, Waterblossom was spared having to face the Derby winner thanks to Regret's having developed respiratory issues that caused her to be removed from consideration for the Oaks.
- The Waterblossom Handicap was run at New York's now-defunct Jamaica track.
- Waterblossom carried 126 pounds to victory in the Alabama Stakes, the highest-ever winning impost for the race. Cleopatra (1920), Top Flight (1932), Vagrancy (1942) and Kiss Me Kate (1951) also carried 126 pounds successfully before the race conditions changed to level weights in 1974.
Photo credit
Waterblossom, Martin up, after winning the 1915 Ashland Oaks. Photographer unknown; originally published in the Thoroughbred Record of May 1, 1915. From the Keeneland Library General Collection; used by permission.
Last updated: December 23, 2023