A top-class colt at 2 and 3, Whichone might have seriously rivaled Gallant Fox for the title of the best American 3-year-old male of 1930 had he been sounder. He broke down during the pair's infamous speed duel in the Travers Stakes (which set the 100-1 longshot Jim Dandy up for the win) and never returned to the track. He was a useful sire but got nothing as good as himself.
Race record
14 starts, 10 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$192,705
1929:
1930:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1929)
Assessments
Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1930 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown horse, Whichone possessed an excellent shoulder, short cannons and strong hindquarters but was troubled by bad knees. While he won over off going, he was not at his best on it.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Whichone sired 101 winners (63.1%) and 10 stakes winners (6.3%) from 160 named foals.
Notable progeny
Handcuff (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Whichone was bred and owned by Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Jr. He retired to stud at Whitney Farm after his breakdown in the 1930 Travers Stakes.
Pedigree notes
Whichone is a full brother to 1924 American co-champion 2-year-old filly Mother Goose, dam of stakes winner Gosling (by St. Germans); second dam of 1954 Test Stakes winner Dispute, 1946 Will Rogers Handicap winner Burra Sahib and 1950 Vineland Handicap winner Almahmoud; and third dam of 1974 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Cosmah and the important broodmare Natalma. Whichone is also a full brother to Free and Easy, dam of 1936 Queen Mary Stakes winner Night Song (by Royal Minstrel) and second dam of the good steeplechaser The Heir. In addition, Whichone is a half brother to stakes-placed Margin (by All Gold), dam of stakes winner Collateral (by St. Germans), and to Witchery (by Peter Pan), dam of 1939 Grand National Steeplechase Handicap winner Whaddon Chase (by Monk's Way) and second dam of 1946 Stars and Stripes Handicap winner Witch Sir.
Flying Witch, the dam of Whichone, won once in six tries. She is a full sister to Fly By Day, dam of juvenile stakes winner Mad Hattie (by Mad Hatter; dam of two minor stakes winners) and 1932 Schuylervillle Stakes winner Volette (by Dis Donc), dam of 1950 National Stallion Stakes winner Volt and C. D. Bidwill Memorial Handicap winner Plumper, both by Menow. Flying Witch is also a full sister to Flyleaf, dam of 1932 Selima Stakes winner Notebook (by Chicle; dam of multiple stakes winner Keynote, by Mahmoud). The sisters were produced from the Peter Pan mare Fly By Night II, whose dam Dazzling was a talented but luckless daughter of St. Leonards and the imported Sheen mare Splendour.
Fun facts
Last updated: October 12, 2023
Race record
14 starts, 10 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$192,705
1929:
- Won Saratoga Special (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Futurity Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Champagne Stakes (USA, about 6.75FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Hopeful Stakes (USA, 6.5FD, Saratoga)
1930:
- Won Withers Stakes (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
- Won Miller Stakes (USA, Saratoga)
- Won Whitney Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Saranac Handicap (USA, 8FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Belmont Stakes (USA, 12FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Travers Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1929)
Assessments
Ranked second among American 3-year-old males of 1930 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown horse, Whichone possessed an excellent shoulder, short cannons and strong hindquarters but was troubled by bad knees. While he won over off going, he was not at his best on it.
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Whichone sired 101 winners (63.1%) and 10 stakes winners (6.3%) from 160 named foals.
Notable progeny
Handcuff (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Whichone was bred and owned by Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Jr. He retired to stud at Whitney Farm after his breakdown in the 1930 Travers Stakes.
Pedigree notes
Whichone is a full brother to 1924 American co-champion 2-year-old filly Mother Goose, dam of stakes winner Gosling (by St. Germans); second dam of 1954 Test Stakes winner Dispute, 1946 Will Rogers Handicap winner Burra Sahib and 1950 Vineland Handicap winner Almahmoud; and third dam of 1974 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Cosmah and the important broodmare Natalma. Whichone is also a full brother to Free and Easy, dam of 1936 Queen Mary Stakes winner Night Song (by Royal Minstrel) and second dam of the good steeplechaser The Heir. In addition, Whichone is a half brother to stakes-placed Margin (by All Gold), dam of stakes winner Collateral (by St. Germans), and to Witchery (by Peter Pan), dam of 1939 Grand National Steeplechase Handicap winner Whaddon Chase (by Monk's Way) and second dam of 1946 Stars and Stripes Handicap winner Witch Sir.
Flying Witch, the dam of Whichone, won once in six tries. She is a full sister to Fly By Day, dam of juvenile stakes winner Mad Hattie (by Mad Hatter; dam of two minor stakes winners) and 1932 Schuylervillle Stakes winner Volette (by Dis Donc), dam of 1950 National Stallion Stakes winner Volt and C. D. Bidwill Memorial Handicap winner Plumper, both by Menow. Flying Witch is also a full sister to Flyleaf, dam of 1932 Selima Stakes winner Notebook (by Chicle; dam of multiple stakes winner Keynote, by Mahmoud). The sisters were produced from the Peter Pan mare Fly By Night II, whose dam Dazzling was a talented but luckless daughter of St. Leonards and the imported Sheen mare Splendour.
Fun facts
- Whichone reportedly got his name from an incident that occurred when owner Harry Payne Whitney's wife Gertrude accompanied her husband for a look at their stud's unraced youngsters. Boojum had already acquired his name and a reputation as being the most promising of the group, so it was natural enough that Mrs. Whitney, on seeing a pair of colts, should ask “Which one is Boojum?” Her question apparently tickled her husband's sense of humor, as he is said to have replied, “That one (indicating the John P. Grier colt) is Boojum, and that one (the Chicle colt) is Whichone!”
Last updated: October 12, 2023