Winning Colors (USA)
March 14, 1985 – February 17, 2008
Caro (IRE) x All Rainbows (USA), by Bold Hour (USA)
Family 23-b
March 14, 1985 – February 17, 2008
Caro (IRE) x All Rainbows (USA), by Bold Hour (USA)
Family 23-b
The third filly to win the Kentucky Derby (USA-G1), Winning Colors was also the second filly to compete in all three American Triple Crown races. While she lost the 1988 Breeders' Cup Distaff (USA-G1) to Personal Ensign, her effort against the undefeated champion older mare sealed her reputation as the best filly of her generation. Unfortunately, her broodmare career was nowhere near as outstanding.
Race record
19 starts, 8 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$1,526,837
1988:
1989:
Honors
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1988, 2 pounds above second-rated Goodbye Halo.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1989, 14 pounds below champion Bayakoa.
As an individual
A 16.3 hand gray mare (officially registered as gray or roan), Winning Colors was bigger than most of the colts she faced. She had excellent overall conformation with powerful hindquarters, a strong walk and a long, fluid stride at racing speed. She was a confirmed front runner and inclined to be overly eager. She had surgery for an entrapped epiglottis at 4 and never fully recovered her form. More aggressive than most fillies, she could be a handful around the barn. One particular quirk was that she hated having her ears handled. As a broodmare, she typically passed on size, scope, and good looks.
As a producer
Winning Colors produced 10 named foals, of which eight started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Winning Colors was bred in Kentucky by Echo Valley Horse Farm, Inc. She was owned by Eugene Klein, who purchased her for US$575,000 at the 1986 Keeneland July yearling sale. She was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Following her racing career, Winning Colors was purchased for US$4.1 million by Gainesway Bloodstock Services at the 1989 Keeneland November mixed sale. She was euthanized due to colic February 17, 2008 and was buried at Greentree Farm (a division of Gainesway).
Pedigree notes
Winning Colors is inbred 4x4x5 to Nasrullah. She is a half sister to stakes-placed All Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2003 Japan Cup (JPN-G1) winner Tap Dance City (by Pleasant Tap), stakes winner Carezza (by Caro), and steeplechase stakes winner Ruling (by Alleged). She is also a half sister to Minifah (by Nureyev), second dam of French Group 3 winner Indian Maiden and third dam of English Group 2 winner Sakheer, Grade 3 winner Lemista, and English Group 3 winner Maid in India. In addition, she is a half sister to Forever Rainbows (by Deputy Minister), second dam of 2018 Gran Premio General San Martín (ARG-G1) winner Tiger Feet and Argentine Group 3 winner Tivoli Park.
Winning Colors' dam All Rainbows is a stakes-winning half sister to 1974 American champion 3-year-old filly Chris Evert (by Swoon's Son), whose stakes-winning daughter Six Crowns (by Secretariat) produced 1984 American champion 2-year-old male Chief's Crown (by Danzig) and multiple Grade 1 winner Classic Crown (by Mr. Prospector) and is the third dam of 2016 Gran Premio de Montevideo (URU-G1) winner Giulia. Chris Evert also produced stakes winner Wimbledon Star (by Hoist the Flag), second dam of Chilean Group 2 winner Quiet Call and third dam of 2012 Premio Copa de Plata-Italo Traverso Pasqualetti (CHI-G1) and 2007 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (USA-G1) winner Dominican, and stakes-placed Tournament Star (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 3 winner Delay of Game and two other stakes winners. In addition, Chris Evert's daughter Nijinsky Star (by Nijinsky II) produced three stakes winners, the best of which is Grade 2 winner Revasser (by Riverman), and is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Sightseek, 2003 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tates Creek, 2003 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner Etoile Montante, and Grade 2 winner Bowman's Band and the third dam of 2010 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Special Duty. As if that were not enough, Chris Evert produced Center Court Star (by Secretariat), dam of South African Group 1 winner Lambent Light (by Capote) and stakes winner Best Star (by Seattle Slew).
Miss Carmie (by T. V. Lark), the dam of All Rainbows and Chris Evert, also produced Barbara Schurgin (by Droll Role), dam of Grade 3 winner Paristo (by Buckpasser); Social Column (by Vaguely Noble), dam of English Group 2 winner Two Timing (by Blushing Groom) and stakes winner Liaison (also by Blushing Groom; dam of English stakes winner Lagudin, by Eagle Eyed); Charmie Carmie (by Lyphard), dam of Peruvian Group 1 winner Faaz (by Fappiano); Ann Stuart (by Lyphard), dam of English Group 2 winner Beyton (by Alleged); Search Committee (by Roberto), dam of multiple stakes winner First Stage (by Relaunch); Missed the Wedding (by Blushing Groom), dam of 1993 Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Missed the Storm (by Storm Cat) and multiple Grade 3 winner Green Means Go (by Green Dancer); and Whisper Who Dares (by Green Dancer), dam of 1998 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Confessional (by Holy Bull) and stakes winner Gossip (by Pleasant Colony).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
19 starts, 8 wins, 3 seconds, 1 third, US$1,526,837
1988:
- Won Santa Anita Oaks (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won La Centinela Stakes (USA-R, 8FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Distaff Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, SA)
- 2nd Maskette Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
1989:
- Won Turfway Budweiser Breeders' Cup Stakes (USA-L, 8.5FD, Turfway Park)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2000)
- Arcadia Historical Society's Racing Walk of Champions (inducted as part of the inaugural class in 2014)
- Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old filly (1988)
Assessments
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1988, 2 pounds above second-rated Goodbye Halo.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1989, 14 pounds below champion Bayakoa.
As an individual
A 16.3 hand gray mare (officially registered as gray or roan), Winning Colors was bigger than most of the colts she faced. She had excellent overall conformation with powerful hindquarters, a strong walk and a long, fluid stride at racing speed. She was a confirmed front runner and inclined to be overly eager. She had surgery for an entrapped epiglottis at 4 and never fully recovered her form. More aggressive than most fillies, she could be a handful around the barn. One particular quirk was that she hated having her ears handled. As a broodmare, she typically passed on size, scope, and good looks.
As a producer
Winning Colors produced 10 named foals, of which eight started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Shbakni (1991, by Mr. Prospector) placed four times in six starts. She is the dam of 2014 Swiss champion steeplechaser Shaabek (by Byron) and is the second dam of three stakes winners including 2010 Czech champion sprinter and 2011 Slovakian champion sprinter Line Honey. She is also the third dam of Indian Horse of the Year Adjudicate.
- Golden Colors (1993, by Mr. Prospector) was stakes-placed on the track and is the dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Cheerful Smile (by Sunday Silence)
- Stormin Winnie (1995, by Storm Cat) did not race. She is the dam of French stakes winner La Conseillante (by Elusive Quality).
- Silver Colors (2007, by Mr. Greeley) failed to win in four starts but is the dam of 2018 Alabama Stakes (USA-G1) winner Eskimo Kisses (by To Honor and Serve).
Connections
Winning Colors was bred in Kentucky by Echo Valley Horse Farm, Inc. She was owned by Eugene Klein, who purchased her for US$575,000 at the 1986 Keeneland July yearling sale. She was trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Following her racing career, Winning Colors was purchased for US$4.1 million by Gainesway Bloodstock Services at the 1989 Keeneland November mixed sale. She was euthanized due to colic February 17, 2008 and was buried at Greentree Farm (a division of Gainesway).
Pedigree notes
Winning Colors is inbred 4x4x5 to Nasrullah. She is a half sister to stakes-placed All Dance (by Northern Dancer), dam of 2003 Japan Cup (JPN-G1) winner Tap Dance City (by Pleasant Tap), stakes winner Carezza (by Caro), and steeplechase stakes winner Ruling (by Alleged). She is also a half sister to Minifah (by Nureyev), second dam of French Group 3 winner Indian Maiden and third dam of English Group 2 winner Sakheer, Grade 3 winner Lemista, and English Group 3 winner Maid in India. In addition, she is a half sister to Forever Rainbows (by Deputy Minister), second dam of 2018 Gran Premio General San Martín (ARG-G1) winner Tiger Feet and Argentine Group 3 winner Tivoli Park.
Winning Colors' dam All Rainbows is a stakes-winning half sister to 1974 American champion 3-year-old filly Chris Evert (by Swoon's Son), whose stakes-winning daughter Six Crowns (by Secretariat) produced 1984 American champion 2-year-old male Chief's Crown (by Danzig) and multiple Grade 1 winner Classic Crown (by Mr. Prospector) and is the third dam of 2016 Gran Premio de Montevideo (URU-G1) winner Giulia. Chris Evert also produced stakes winner Wimbledon Star (by Hoist the Flag), second dam of Chilean Group 2 winner Quiet Call and third dam of 2012 Premio Copa de Plata-Italo Traverso Pasqualetti (CHI-G1) and 2007 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (USA-G1) winner Dominican, and stakes-placed Tournament Star (by Nijinsky II), second dam of Grade 3 winner Delay of Game and two other stakes winners. In addition, Chris Evert's daughter Nijinsky Star (by Nijinsky II) produced three stakes winners, the best of which is Grade 2 winner Revasser (by Riverman), and is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Sightseek, 2003 Yellow Ribbon Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tates Creek, 2003 Prix de la Forêt (FR-G1) winner Etoile Montante, and Grade 2 winner Bowman's Band and the third dam of 2010 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) winner Special Duty. As if that were not enough, Chris Evert produced Center Court Star (by Secretariat), dam of South African Group 1 winner Lambent Light (by Capote) and stakes winner Best Star (by Seattle Slew).
Miss Carmie (by T. V. Lark), the dam of All Rainbows and Chris Evert, also produced Barbara Schurgin (by Droll Role), dam of Grade 3 winner Paristo (by Buckpasser); Social Column (by Vaguely Noble), dam of English Group 2 winner Two Timing (by Blushing Groom) and stakes winner Liaison (also by Blushing Groom; dam of English stakes winner Lagudin, by Eagle Eyed); Charmie Carmie (by Lyphard), dam of Peruvian Group 1 winner Faaz (by Fappiano); Ann Stuart (by Lyphard), dam of English Group 2 winner Beyton (by Alleged); Search Committee (by Roberto), dam of multiple stakes winner First Stage (by Relaunch); Missed the Wedding (by Blushing Groom), dam of 1993 Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Missed the Storm (by Storm Cat) and multiple Grade 3 winner Green Means Go (by Green Dancer); and Whisper Who Dares (by Green Dancer), dam of 1998 Frizette Stakes (USA-G1) winner Confessional (by Holy Bull) and stakes winner Gossip (by Pleasant Colony).
Books and media
- Winning Colors' rivalry with Personal Ensign was featured as the 16th chapter of Horse Racing's Greatest Rivalries (2008, Eclipse Press), a compilation produced by the staff of The Blood-Horse.
- Winning Colors is profiled in Chapter 11 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
- A retrospective on Winning Colors's Derby win can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuKuFlqrvPc.
Fun facts
- While being grazed the day before the Derby, Winning Colors was startled by a motorcycle's backfiring and tried to take off. The difference between a scary incident and disaster was Jeff Lukas, who hung on to the filly's lead rope in spite of being dragged about 50 feet.
- Winning Colors' Kentucky Derby victory garland was donated to the Kentucky Derby Museum in October 2010 by D. Wayne Lukas, jockey Gary Stevens, and the family of Eugene Klein. The garland had been carefully freeze-dried and sealed in an oak-and-glass box for preservation.
- Winning Colors was the first Derby-winning filly to have any of her foals sold at public auction as weanlings or yearlings. The three foals so offered sold for a collective US$3.85 million.
- The Winning Colors Stakes is a Grade 3 race at Churchill Downs for fillies and mares aged 3 and up. It was most recently carded at 6 furlongs on dirt.
Last updated: May 9, 2024