Watercress was a good but not outstanding racehorse in England, proving a little below average Classic caliber and well below the ability possessed by his top-flight contemporary Orme. As his bloodlines were not particularly fashionable, James Ben Ali Haggin was able to secure him at a modest price. Standing first at Haggin's Rancho del Paso in California and then at his Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky, Watercress did well as a stallion but had only limited long-term impact.
Race record
6 wins
1892:
1893:
As an individual
A brown horse, Watercress was big and muscular with excellent bone but was light on his feet.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967, Watercress sired 28 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Nasturtium (USA), Rhine Maiden (USA), Waterboy (USA), Watervale (USA)
Connections
Watercress was bred by Evelyn Boscawen, 6th Viscount Falmouth. After being purchased for the equivalent of US$2,400, Watercress was imported to the USA by James Ben Ali Haggin, who stood the horse at his Rancho del Paso in California through 1905. Watercress moved to Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky in December 1905.
Pedigree notes
Watercress is inbred 4x5 to Palmyra and 5x4 to 1835 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English leading sire Touchstone. His dam Wharfedale never raced but is a full sister to Bella Donna, dam of 1904 American Horse of the Year Beldame (by Octagon) and 1907 Preakness Stakes winner Don Enrique (by Hastings), and a half sister to Bonnie Gal (by Galopin), dam of 1900 Jockey Club Stakes winner and good sire Disguise (by Domino) and second dam of Idle Hour Stock Farm's foundation sire Black Toney.
Wharfedale's dam Bonnie Doon (by Rapid Rhone) is a daughter of the great foundation mare Queen Mary (by Plenipotentiary), making her a half sister to the fine race mare Haricot (by Lanercost), dam of 1861 St. Leger Stakes winner Caller Ou (by Stockwell); to the good stayer Balrownie (by Annandale); to stakes winner Braxey (by Moss Trooper), second dam of Ascot Gold Cup winner Tristan; to two-time American leading sire Bonnie Scotland (by Iago); and to 1857 Derby Stakes and Oaks Stakes winner Blink Bonny (by Melbourne), dam of 1864 dual Classic winner Blair Athol (by Stockwell). Bonnie Doon is also a half sister to the versatile stakes winner Blinkhoolie (by Rataplan), to stakes winner Broomielaw (by Stockwell) and to Breadalbane (by Stockwell), a sire of some importance.
Fun facts
Last updated: June 25, 2024
Race record
6 wins
1892:
- Won Prince of Wales's Stakes (ENG, 13FT, Ascot)
- Won Liverpool St. Leger (ENG, Liverpool)
- Won Hardwicke Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Ascot)
- 2nd St. James's Palace Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Sussex Stakes (ENG, 8FT, Goodwood)
- 3rd St. Leger Stakes (ENG, about 14.5FT, Doncaster)
1893:
- Won Hardwicke Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Ascot)
- 2nd Selection Stakes (ENG, Sandown)
- 3rd Gordon Stakes (ENG, 10FT, Goodwood)
As an individual
A brown horse, Watercress was big and muscular with excellent bone but was light on his feet.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967, Watercress sired 28 stakes winners.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1903; 5th in 1906; 7th in 1905.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 4th on the American general sire list in 1903; 5th in 1906; 7th in 1905.
Notable progeny
Nasturtium (USA), Rhine Maiden (USA), Waterboy (USA), Watervale (USA)
Connections
Watercress was bred by Evelyn Boscawen, 6th Viscount Falmouth. After being purchased for the equivalent of US$2,400, Watercress was imported to the USA by James Ben Ali Haggin, who stood the horse at his Rancho del Paso in California through 1905. Watercress moved to Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky in December 1905.
Pedigree notes
Watercress is inbred 4x5 to Palmyra and 5x4 to 1835 St. Leger Stakes winner and four-time English leading sire Touchstone. His dam Wharfedale never raced but is a full sister to Bella Donna, dam of 1904 American Horse of the Year Beldame (by Octagon) and 1907 Preakness Stakes winner Don Enrique (by Hastings), and a half sister to Bonnie Gal (by Galopin), dam of 1900 Jockey Club Stakes winner and good sire Disguise (by Domino) and second dam of Idle Hour Stock Farm's foundation sire Black Toney.
Wharfedale's dam Bonnie Doon (by Rapid Rhone) is a daughter of the great foundation mare Queen Mary (by Plenipotentiary), making her a half sister to the fine race mare Haricot (by Lanercost), dam of 1861 St. Leger Stakes winner Caller Ou (by Stockwell); to the good stayer Balrownie (by Annandale); to stakes winner Braxey (by Moss Trooper), second dam of Ascot Gold Cup winner Tristan; to two-time American leading sire Bonnie Scotland (by Iago); and to 1857 Derby Stakes and Oaks Stakes winner Blink Bonny (by Melbourne), dam of 1864 dual Classic winner Blair Athol (by Stockwell). Bonnie Doon is also a half sister to the versatile stakes winner Blinkhoolie (by Rataplan), to stakes winner Broomielaw (by Stockwell) and to Breadalbane (by Stockwell), a sire of some importance.
Fun facts
- Watercress was the last good horse ridden by the great 19th-century English rider John Osborne.
- When Haggin dispersed the stock from Rancho del Paso in December 1905, he bid in Watercress for his Elmendorf Stud for US$71,000, then the second-highest price ever paid at auction for a Thoroughbred stallion.
Last updated: June 25, 2024