Wilderness Song (CAN)
May 13, 1988 – May 2011
Wild Again (USA) x Nalee’s Rhythm (USA), by Nalees Man (USA)
Family 10-c
May 13, 1988 – May 2011
Wild Again (USA) x Nalee’s Rhythm (USA), by Nalees Man (USA)
Family 10-c
A high-class Canadian-bred who had the misfortune to be foaled in the same crop as the great Dance Smartly, Wilderness Song did very well indeed when she could escape her stablemate’s shadow. A champion in Canada as an older female, she proved capable at the Grade 1 level in the United States as well. She retired as only the second Canadian-bred filly or mare to top US$1 million in earnings but was a rather disappointing producer, though two of her daughters have produced stakes winners.
Race record
37 starts, 15 wins, 12 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,482,033 (including converted Canadian earnings)
1990:
1991:
1992:
1993:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juvenile fillies, 1 pound below champion Dance Smartly.
Rated at 128 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, 5 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Dance Smartly but second overall.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced 3-year-old fillies of 1991, 8 pounds below champion Dance Smartly.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older females of 1992, 2 pounds above second-place A Gal for Gordo.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1992, 12 pounds below champion Paseana.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older females of 1993, 1 pound below co-highweights Dance for Donna and Senate Appointee.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1993, 10 pounds below champion Paseana.
As an individual
A bay mare, Wilderness Song was consistent and honest as a runner. She could stalk the pace or set it.
As a producer
Wilderness Song produced nine named foals, of which seven started and six won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Wilderness Song was bred and owned by Sam-Son Farms. She was trained by Jim Day. Pensioned from broodmare duty in 2008, she was euthanized in May 2011 due to the infirmities of old age and was buried alongside Dance Smartly.
Pedigree notes
Wilderness Song is inbred 5x5 to 1936 Derby Stakes winner Mahmoud, a champion sire and broodmare sire in the United States. She is a half sister to Rhythm of Life (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2002 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sarava (by Wild Again). Wilderness Song is also a half sister to restricted stakes winner Sound the Fanfare (by Vice Regent), dam of multiple listed stakes winner Crucible (by Conquistador Cielo) and multiple stakes winner Quiet Cheer (by No Louder; dam of stakes winner Smart Roar, by Smart Strike), second dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Strike Softly, and third dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Golden Sabre
Wilderness Song and her siblings are out of stakes winner Nalee’s Rhythm (by the stakes-winning Gallant Man horse Nalees Man), a half sister to 1969 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Dance to Market (by Farm to Market) and stakes winners Overproof (by Prove It), Maitre de Danse (by Dancer’s Image), and Answer to Music (by Northern Answer). Produced from the stakes-winning Mister Jive mare Lady Rhythm, Nalee’s Rhythm is also a half sister to Point of Time (by Olden Times), dam of stakes winners Queen’s Era (by King’s Bishop) and Lucky Point (by What Luck)
Books and media
Wilderness Song’s page at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/2008/12/01/wilderness-song/) includes a video montage of highlights from her career.
Fun facts
Last updated: December 13, 2022
Race record
37 starts, 15 wins, 12 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,482,033 (including converted Canadian earnings)
1990:
- Won Mazarine Stakes (CAN-G3, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- Won Princess Elizabeth Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Vandal Stakes (CAN-LR, 6.5FD, Fort Erie)
- 2nd Shady Well Stakes (CAN-LR, 5.5FD, Woodbine)
1991:
- Won Spinster Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Keeneland)
- Won Fury Stakes (CAN-R, 7FR, Woodbine)
- Won Bison City Stakes (CAN-R, 8.5FD, Fort Erie)
- Won Belle Mahone Stakes (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Queen's Plate Stakes (CAN-R, 10FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Canadian Oaks (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Churchill Downs Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd La Troienne Stakes (USA-L, 7D, Churchill Downs)
1992:
- Won Churchill Downs Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Pimlico Distaff Handicap (USA-L, 9FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Seaway Stakes (CAN-L, 7FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Ontario Matron Handicap (CAN-R, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Falls City Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Woodbine Breeders' Cup Handicap (CAN-L, 9FD, Woodbine)
1993:
- Won Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Monmouth)
- Won Monmouth Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 8F+70yD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Michigan Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-L, 8.5FD, Detroit)
- 2nd Quick Reward Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA, 8F+70yD, Hawthorne)
- 3rd Belle Mahone Stakes (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
Honors
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2008)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion older female (1992)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for juvenile fillies, 1 pound below champion Dance Smartly.
Rated at 128 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old fillies, 5 pounds below champion and Horse of the Year Dance Smartly but second overall.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American-raced 3-year-old fillies of 1991, 8 pounds below champion Dance Smartly.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older females of 1992, 2 pounds above second-place A Gal for Gordo.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1992, 12 pounds below champion Paseana.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for older females of 1993, 1 pound below co-highweights Dance for Donna and Senate Appointee.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1993, 10 pounds below champion Paseana.
As an individual
A bay mare, Wilderness Song was consistent and honest as a runner. She could stalk the pace or set it.
As a producer
Wilderness Song produced nine named foals, of which seven started and six won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Wilderness Storm (1997, by Storm Cat) won two of her 12 starts. She is the dam of Canadian restricted stakes winner Mulmur (by Smart Strike).
- Song of the Lark (2003, by Seeking the Gold) won one of her three starts. She is the dam of 2013 Canadian Horse of the Year Up With the Birds (by Stormy Atlantic) and Canadian restricted stakes winner Speightsong (by Speightstown).
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Wilderness Song was bred and owned by Sam-Son Farms. She was trained by Jim Day. Pensioned from broodmare duty in 2008, she was euthanized in May 2011 due to the infirmities of old age and was buried alongside Dance Smartly.
Pedigree notes
Wilderness Song is inbred 5x5 to 1936 Derby Stakes winner Mahmoud, a champion sire and broodmare sire in the United States. She is a half sister to Rhythm of Life (by Deputy Minister), dam of 2002 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sarava (by Wild Again). Wilderness Song is also a half sister to restricted stakes winner Sound the Fanfare (by Vice Regent), dam of multiple listed stakes winner Crucible (by Conquistador Cielo) and multiple stakes winner Quiet Cheer (by No Louder; dam of stakes winner Smart Roar, by Smart Strike), second dam of Canadian Grade 2 winner Strike Softly, and third dam of Canadian Grade 3 winner Golden Sabre
Wilderness Song and her siblings are out of stakes winner Nalee’s Rhythm (by the stakes-winning Gallant Man horse Nalees Man), a half sister to 1969 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Dance to Market (by Farm to Market) and stakes winners Overproof (by Prove It), Maitre de Danse (by Dancer’s Image), and Answer to Music (by Northern Answer). Produced from the stakes-winning Mister Jive mare Lady Rhythm, Nalee’s Rhythm is also a half sister to Point of Time (by Olden Times), dam of stakes winners Queen’s Era (by King’s Bishop) and Lucky Point (by What Luck)
Books and media
Wilderness Song’s page at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/2008/12/01/wilderness-song/) includes a video montage of highlights from her career.
Fun facts
- Wilderness Song’s victory in the 1991 Spinster Stakes made her the first Grade 1 winner in the United States for Sam-Son Farm.
- Wilderness Song carried jockey Francine Villeneuve to a place in Canadian racing history by making her the first female jockey to win a stakes race at Fort Erie when the pair won the 1991 Bison City Stakes by eight lengths.
Last updated: December 13, 2022