Worth (USA)
1909 – November 1912
Knight of the Thistle (GB) x Miss Hanover (USA), by Hanover (USA)
Family 6-a
1909 – November 1912
Knight of the Thistle (GB) x Miss Hanover (USA), by Hanover (USA)
Family 6-a
Worth's entire career took place at the nadir of the racing blackout created by antigambling legislation. Major racing in North America was limited to Kentucky, Maryland, and Canada (although there were lesser tracks elsewhere), and as a result, Worth became the first juvenile since Hindoo in 1880 to be acclaimed the nation's top 2-year-old colt on the basis of racing in Kentucky. He was not as consistent at 3 as he had been at 2 and died before the end of 1912.
Race record
31 starts, 15 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds, US$25,590
1911:
1912:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1912)
As an individual
A brown colt, Worth was described in the Louisville Courier-Journal of May 24, 1911, as being of “good size and much quality.” He handled off going well.
Connections
Foaled at Bosque Bonita Farm in Woodburn County, Kentucky, Worth was bred by R. H. McCarter Potter, who owned New Jersey-based Respess Stud. He was purchased for US$425 as a yearling by C. T. Worthington and was resold later that year for US$3,500 to the Gallaher Brothers. Following his first two victories at 2, trainer Frank Taylor paid US$10,000 for Worth on behalf of H. C. Hallenbeck. On November 6, 1912, at Pimlico, Worth was competing in an overnight handicap when he was struck on the hind leg by the hoof of another horse. He suffered two severed tendons as a result. Surgical repair was attempted, but Worth died of complications before the month was out.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1897 Royal Hunt Cup winner Knight of the Thistle, who was imported from England in 1899, Worth is inbred 5x5 to the great 19th-century broodmare Queen Mary. He is a full brother to Fair Atalanta, dam of 1925 Travers Stakes winner Dangerous (by Negofol), 1925 Latonia Cup winner Georgie (by Star Shoot) and multiple stakes winner Bondage (by Ogden). He is also a half brother to 1916 Alabama Stakes winner Malachite (by Rock Sand), dam of the good steeplechaser Indigo (by Stefan the Great) and third dam of the great Count Fleet, 1951 San Carlos Handicap winner Bolero, 1955 Atlantic City Turf Handicap winner County Clare and 1958 Sapling Stakes winner Watch Your Step. In addition, Worth is a half brother to Hanovia (by Fair Play), winner of the 1917 King Edward Gold Cup, and to Misplay (by Fair Play), second dam of 1928 Eastern Shore Handicap winner Neddie (by Colin).
Worth's dam Miss Hanover won eight races at 2 and 3 and is a half sister to juvenile stakes winner Early (by Troubadour) and to Pheenie Fickle (by Woolsthorpe), dam of multiple stakes winner Marion Goosby (by Marathon). The siblings are out of the Strathmore mare Miss Dawn, a full sister to multiple stakes winner Cash Day. The next dam in Worth's tail-female lineage, Dawn of Day, is a winner by 1875 Kenner Stakes winner Ozark out of Lottie Moon, by Australian.
Fun facts
Last updated: February 6, 2020
Race record
31 starts, 15 wins, 7 seconds, 3 thirds, US$25,590
1911:
- Won Raceland Stakes (USA, 4.5FD, Lexington)
- Won Bashford Manor Stakes (USA, 4.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won a private sweepstakes of US$10,000 (match race against Sprite) (USA, 6FD, Latonia)
1912:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Chesapeake Stakes (USA, 10FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Washington Handicap (USA, 9FD, Laurel)
- 3rd Latonia Derby (USA, 12FD, Latonia)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old male (1912)
As an individual
A brown colt, Worth was described in the Louisville Courier-Journal of May 24, 1911, as being of “good size and much quality.” He handled off going well.
Connections
Foaled at Bosque Bonita Farm in Woodburn County, Kentucky, Worth was bred by R. H. McCarter Potter, who owned New Jersey-based Respess Stud. He was purchased for US$425 as a yearling by C. T. Worthington and was resold later that year for US$3,500 to the Gallaher Brothers. Following his first two victories at 2, trainer Frank Taylor paid US$10,000 for Worth on behalf of H. C. Hallenbeck. On November 6, 1912, at Pimlico, Worth was competing in an overnight handicap when he was struck on the hind leg by the hoof of another horse. He suffered two severed tendons as a result. Surgical repair was attempted, but Worth died of complications before the month was out.
Pedigree notes
Sired by 1897 Royal Hunt Cup winner Knight of the Thistle, who was imported from England in 1899, Worth is inbred 5x5 to the great 19th-century broodmare Queen Mary. He is a full brother to Fair Atalanta, dam of 1925 Travers Stakes winner Dangerous (by Negofol), 1925 Latonia Cup winner Georgie (by Star Shoot) and multiple stakes winner Bondage (by Ogden). He is also a half brother to 1916 Alabama Stakes winner Malachite (by Rock Sand), dam of the good steeplechaser Indigo (by Stefan the Great) and third dam of the great Count Fleet, 1951 San Carlos Handicap winner Bolero, 1955 Atlantic City Turf Handicap winner County Clare and 1958 Sapling Stakes winner Watch Your Step. In addition, Worth is a half brother to Hanovia (by Fair Play), winner of the 1917 King Edward Gold Cup, and to Misplay (by Fair Play), second dam of 1928 Eastern Shore Handicap winner Neddie (by Colin).
Worth's dam Miss Hanover won eight races at 2 and 3 and is a half sister to juvenile stakes winner Early (by Troubadour) and to Pheenie Fickle (by Woolsthorpe), dam of multiple stakes winner Marion Goosby (by Marathon). The siblings are out of the Strathmore mare Miss Dawn, a full sister to multiple stakes winner Cash Day. The next dam in Worth's tail-female lineage, Dawn of Day, is a winner by 1875 Kenner Stakes winner Ozark out of Lottie Moon, by Australian.
Fun facts
- Worth was the first Kentucky Derby winner to have broken his maiden in Florida, which he did on March 27, 1911, at Moncrief Park near Jacksonville.
Last updated: February 6, 2020