What Luck (USA)
April 24, 1967 – 1989
Bold Ruler (USA) x Irish Jay (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 23
April 24, 1967 – 1989
Bold Ruler (USA) x Irish Jay (USA), by Double Jay (USA)
Family 23
A full brother to a champion in Queen Empress and the equivalent of a modern Grade 1 winner in King Emperor, What Luck was not remotely up to his siblings’ class as a racehorse. Nevertheless, he was given a chance at stud due to his pedigree. He compiled an honorable record from the opportunities he was given and ended up siring two American champions in 1977 American champion sprinter What a Summer and 1983 American champion older female Ambassador of Luck. He also had some success as a sire of racing Quarter Horses, siring multiple stakes winners Lucks Gay Chic and What Lucks Gay Chic.
Race record
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$12,375
As an individual
A handsome nearly-black horse, What Luck had the prominent withers, well-sloped shoulder, and sloping croup typical of the descendants of his paternal grandsire, Nasrullah.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, What Luck sired 370 winners (57.9%) and 46 stakes winners (7.2%) from 639 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Ambassador of Luck (USA), What a Summer (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, What Luck was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps and Wheatley Stable. He stood in Kentucky at Walmac-Warnerton International Farm, where he died in 1989.
Pedigree notes
What Luck is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to 1964 American champion 2-year-old filly Queen Empress, dam of stakes winner Hail Emperor (by Graustark), second dam of 1989 CIGA Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Silver Fling and 1979 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (GER-G3) winner Imperial Fling, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Powder Bowl and Italian Group 3 winner Gesture. He is also a half brother to 1968 Pimlico-Laurel Futurity winner King Emperor. In addition, What Luck is also a half brother to 1981 Widener Handicap (USA-G1) winner Land of Eire (by Herbager).
Irish Jay, the dam of What Luck and his siblings, was a high-class filly whose wins included the 1959 Spinaway Stakes and the 1960 Acorn Stakes. She is a half sister to Magical Hour (by Princequillo), dam of stakes winner Dona Maya (by Reviewer) and third dam of Argentine Group 2 winner Pertex and Argentine Group 3 winner Permisionaria. Irish Jay is also a half sister to Weird (by Tulyar), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Funny Peculiar (by Funny Fellow).
Irish Jay, in turn, is out of stakes winner Irish Witch (by 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman, by Sir Gallahad III), whose half sister Endor (by Menow) is the dam of stakes winner Big End (by Beau Gar). The next dam in Irish Jay’s tail-female line, stakes winner Witchlike (Diavolo x Romanesque, by Sir Gallahad III) is a half sister to 1947 Haggin Stakes winner Roman In (by Arigotal).
Last updated: September 23, 2024
Race record
6 starts, 2 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$12,375
As an individual
A handsome nearly-black horse, What Luck had the prominent withers, well-sloped shoulder, and sloping croup typical of the descendants of his paternal grandsire, Nasrullah.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by The Jockey Club, What Luck sired 370 winners (57.9%) and 46 stakes winners (7.2%) from 639 named foals of racing age.
Notable progeny
Ambassador of Luck (USA), What a Summer (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, What Luck was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps and Wheatley Stable. He stood in Kentucky at Walmac-Warnerton International Farm, where he died in 1989.
Pedigree notes
What Luck is outcrossed through five generations. He is a full brother to 1964 American champion 2-year-old filly Queen Empress, dam of stakes winner Hail Emperor (by Graustark), second dam of 1989 CIGA Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Silver Fling and 1979 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (GER-G3) winner Imperial Fling, and third dam of Grade 2 winner Powder Bowl and Italian Group 3 winner Gesture. He is also a half brother to 1968 Pimlico-Laurel Futurity winner King Emperor. In addition, What Luck is also a half brother to 1981 Widener Handicap (USA-G1) winner Land of Eire (by Herbager).
Irish Jay, the dam of What Luck and his siblings, was a high-class filly whose wins included the 1959 Spinaway Stakes and the 1960 Acorn Stakes. She is a half sister to Magical Hour (by Princequillo), dam of stakes winner Dona Maya (by Reviewer) and third dam of Argentine Group 2 winner Pertex and Argentine Group 3 winner Permisionaria. Irish Jay is also a half sister to Weird (by Tulyar), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Funny Peculiar (by Funny Fellow).
Irish Jay, in turn, is out of stakes winner Irish Witch (by 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman, by Sir Gallahad III), whose half sister Endor (by Menow) is the dam of stakes winner Big End (by Beau Gar). The next dam in Irish Jay’s tail-female line, stakes winner Witchlike (Diavolo x Romanesque, by Sir Gallahad III) is a half sister to 1947 Haggin Stakes winner Roman In (by Arigotal).
Last updated: September 23, 2024