Baby League (USA)
1935 – c. 1960
Bubbling Over (USA) x La Troienne (FR), by Teddy (FR)
Family 1-x
"GENETIC GEM"
1935 – c. 1960
Bubbling Over (USA) x La Troienne (FR), by Teddy (FR)
Family 1-x
"GENETIC GEM"
Baby League had far less racing ability than her half sisters Black Helen, Big Hurry and Bee Ann Mac, but she was among the best of La Troienne's daughters as a broodmare. A highly successful producer in her own day, she stands at the head of a major branch of La Troienne's family thanks to her daughter Striking, the 1961 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and a notable foundation mare of the mid-20th century.
Race record
11 starts, 1 win, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,800
As an individual
Colonel Bradley's farm manager, Olin Gentry, described Baby League as “a big, beautiful mare, but wild as a hawk.” Her one extant photograph suggests that she was light of bone below the knee.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Baby League produced 13 named foals, of which 10 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Baby League was bred and owned by Colonel Edward Riley Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm. She was acquired by Ogden Phipps in the division of Bradley's stock following the Colonel's death in August 1946. She produced her last foal, the Primate colt Little Monkey, in 1960.
Pedigree notes
Baby League is inbred 5x5 to 1887 English champion sire Hampton. A daughter of the great matron La Troienne, she is a full sister to stakes winner Biologist and a half sister to 1935 American champion 3-year-old filly Black Helen (by Black Toney), two-time American champion Bimelech (by Black Toney), Selima Stakes winners Big Hurry (by Black Toney), and Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and the noteworthy producers Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), Besieged (by Balladier), Belle Histoire (by Blue Larkspur), and Belle of Troy (by Blue Larkspur).
Last updated: February 10, 2024
Race record
11 starts, 1 win, 5 seconds, 2 thirds, US$1,800
As an individual
Colonel Bradley's farm manager, Olin Gentry, described Baby League as “a big, beautiful mare, but wild as a hawk.” Her one extant photograph suggests that she was light of bone below the knee.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Baby League produced 13 named foals, of which 10 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Bomb Dolly (1941, by Omaha) produced multiple stakes winner Carolos (by Russia II).
- Busher (1942, by War Admiral) was American Horse of the Year in 1945. She is the dam of the good handicapper Jet Action (by Jet Pilot), who sired the second dam of Seattle Slew. She is the second dam of four stakes winners including 1960 Citation Handicap winner Top Charger and is the third dam of five stakes winners, none of graded class. Her more distant descendants include 1981 Mexican Horse of the Year Colosa; 1980 San Antonio Stakes (USA-G1) winner Beau’s Eagle; 2002 Santa Maria Handicap (USA-G1) winner Favorite Funtime; 2006 Carter Handicap (USA-G1) winner Bishop Court Hill; Grade 2 winners Come On Sassa, Man from Eldorado, and Play On; and Grade/Group 3 winners Coalport, Midnight Stroll, Noble Beauty, Odds On, and Velha Maquina.
- Betteefarlee (1943, by Jamestown) is the third dam of Grade 3 winners Thinghatab and Tabayour. Her more distant descendants include 2023 American Horse of the Year Cody's Wish, 2012 Gazelle Stakes (USA-G1) winner Dance Card, and Grade 2 winner Endorsed.
- Rocking Horse (1944, by Challenger II) is the second dam of four stakes winners including 1963 Equipoise Handicap winner Wa-Wa Cy (by Tom Fool).
- Grand League (1945, by Grand Slam) is the fourth dam of two-time Japanese champion older female Dyna Actress. Through her, Grand League is the ancestress of 2008 Japanese champion older male Screen Hero, 2006 Japanese champion steeplechaser Maruka Rascal, and Japanese Group 3 winners Absolute and Best Actor.
- Mr. Busher (1946, by War Admiral) won the 1948 Arlington Futurity and National Stallion Stakes. He was only moderately successful at stud, siring 16 stakes winners from 294 named foals.
- Striking (1947, by War Admiral) won the 1949 Schuylerville Stakes. She produced stakes winners Glamour (by Nasrullah), Bases Full (by Ambiorix), Hitting Away (by Ambiorix), Batter Up (by Tom Fool), and My Boss Lady (by Bold Ruler). All except Hitting Away, one of the better members of his crop at 3 and 4, were best over sprint distances. Glamour, Bases Full, and Batter Up were all important producers, as was Glamour's winning full sister So Chic.
- Bushleaguer (1950, by War Admiral) produced juvenile stakes winner Shavetail (by Jet Pilot). Her more distant descendants include Australian Group 3 winner Clonmel and South African Group 3 winner Hale Sapieha.
- Harmonizing (1954, by Counterpoint; a gelding) won the 1960 Man o' War Stakes.
- La Dauphine (1957, by Princequillo) produced 1967 Will Rogers Stakes winner Jungle Road (by Warfare) and 1975 Gordon Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Guillaume Tell (by Nashua). She is the second dam of three stakes winners including 1981 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Obratzsovy and multiple Grade 3 winner Emperor Rex. She is also the third dam of 2002 Daily News 2000 (SAF-G1) winner Fiery Fred. Her more distant descendants include six-time Panamanian champion Cuentmelotoo, Canadian Group 3 winner American Justice, and Irish Grand National Steeplechase winner Son of War.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Baby League was bred and owned by Colonel Edward Riley Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm. She was acquired by Ogden Phipps in the division of Bradley's stock following the Colonel's death in August 1946. She produced her last foal, the Primate colt Little Monkey, in 1960.
Pedigree notes
Baby League is inbred 5x5 to 1887 English champion sire Hampton. A daughter of the great matron La Troienne, she is a full sister to stakes winner Biologist and a half sister to 1935 American champion 3-year-old filly Black Helen (by Black Toney), two-time American champion Bimelech (by Black Toney), Selima Stakes winners Big Hurry (by Black Toney), and Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and the noteworthy producers Big Event (by Blue Larkspur), Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), Besieged (by Balladier), Belle Histoire (by Blue Larkspur), and Belle of Troy (by Blue Larkspur).
Last updated: February 10, 2024