Best in Show (USA)
April 29, 1965 – November 1990
Traffic Judge (USA) x Stolen Hour (USA), by Mr. Busher (USA)
Family 8-f
"GENETIC GEM"
April 29, 1965 – November 1990
Traffic Judge (USA) x Stolen Hour (USA), by Mr. Busher (USA)
Family 8-f
"GENETIC GEM"
Best in Show was a nice race mare, but it was as a broodmare that she lived up to her name. The dam of four good stakes winners of her own, she is the head of an international family that boasts champion runners in North America and Europe, a champion stallion in South America, and a Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Race record
27 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 4 thirds, US$53,880
1968:
Assessments
Rated at 111 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1968, 19 pounds below champion Dark Mirage.
As an individual
A nice-sized chestnut mare, Best in Show was attractive and correct.
As a producer
The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and a Reine-de-Course as designated by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Best in Show produced 17 named foals, of which 12 started and seven won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Best in Show was bred by Philip Conors. She was owned by Norman S. Woolworth's Clearview Stable, which purchased her from the 1966 Keeneland summer yearling sale for US$25,000, and was trained by Jack H. Skirvin. Following her racing career, Best in Show was sold privately to Anne Forsythe (Mrs. H. Frank Forsythe) and was sold to Stonereath Farm in another private transaction in 1975. She was humanely destroyed due to laminitis in 1990 and was buried at Stonereath.
Pedigree notes
Best in Show is inbred 5x5 to three-time American champion sire and broodmare sire Fair Play amd 5x5 to 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand. She is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion, and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Best in Show was produced from the stakes-placed Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour, a full sister to 1955 Oakland Handicap winner Beau Busher and a half sister to 1945 Arlington Matron Handicap winner War Date (by War Admiral). Stolen Hour is also a half sister to Elope (by Heliopolis), dam of juvenile stakes winner Sheila's Star (by Dark Star); to Frolic (by Whirlaway), dam of juvenile stakes winners Joyously (by Johns Joy) and Sailor Frolic (by Cap Size); and to Latent (by Thundering), second dam of 1969 New Orleans Handicap winner Miracle Hill.
The next dam in Best in Show's tail-female line is 1935 American champion handicap female Late Date (by Hourless), a full sister to Hour by Hour, dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Hygrohour (by Hygro), and a half sister to 1928 Connaught Cup Handicap winner Clear Sky (by Sir Barton). Late Date and her siblings are out of the Colin mare Herd Girl, a half sister to stakes winners Dare Say (by Cudgel) and How High (by High Time).
Books and media
Last updated: January 13, 2024
Race record
27 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 4 thirds, US$53,880
1968:
- Won Comely Stakes (USA, 7FD, Aqueduct)
Assessments
Rated at 111 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1968, 19 pounds below champion Dark Mirage.
As an individual
A nice-sized chestnut mare, Best in Show was attractive and correct.
As a producer
The 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year and a Reine-de-Course as designated by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Best in Show produced 17 named foals, of which 12 started and seven won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Sex Appeal (1970, by Buckpasser) never raced but is the dam of 1977 English and Irish champion 2-year-old male and 1978 Irish champion miler Try My Best (by Northern Dancer) and of 1983 English and Irish 2-year-old male and 1984 English champion 3-year-old male and miler El Gran Senor (by Northern Dancer). She also produced multiple Irish Group 3 winner Solar (by Halo), second dam of six stakes winners including 2004 Nunthorpe Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Bahamian Pirate and multiple Grade 2 winner Strong Hope, and Northern Guest, the South African champion sire of 1989/1990. Through other daughters, Sex Appeal is the second dam of 1997 Irish highweight 3-year-old stayer Dr Johnson and Group 3 winners Blu Carillon, Blu Air Force, D'Arros, and Castle Gandolfo and is the third dam of 2013/14 Brazilian champion older female Estrela Monarchos, 2018 Japanese Horse of the Year Almond Eye, 2002 Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Domedriver, and French Group 3 winner Tau Ceti.
- Malinowski (1973, by Sir Ivor) was the Irish champion 2-year-old male of 1975. He sired 14 stakes winners from 331 named foals per Jockey Club records, headed by 1988 Sword Dancer Handicap (USA-G1) winner Anka Germania.
- Minnie Hauk (1975, by Sir Ivor) was stakes-placed in Ireland. She is the dam of 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells) and of 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Aviance (by Northfields), dam of multiple European Group 1 winner Chimes of Freedom (by Private Account), multiple Grade 1 winner Denon (by Pleasant Colony), Group 1-placed stakes winner Imperfect Circle (by Riverman) and seven-time Peruvian champion sire Privately Held (by Private Account). Aviance is also the second dam of nine stakes winners including 2003 American champion sprinter Aldebaran, 2002 Atto Mile Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Good Journey, multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Spinning World, and multiple Group 1 winner Saddex.
- Show Lady (1976, by Sir Ivor) produced 1991 Cup and Saucer Stakes winner Great Regent (by Vice Regent). She is the second dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winners Hurricane Sky and He's No Pie Eater and of 1991 Burswood Casino Karrakatta Plate (AUS-G1) winner Umatilla and is the third dam of 2005/06 Australian champion sire Redoute's Choice, a multiple Australian Group 1 winner on the race course. Show Lady is also the third dam of 2002 Spring Champion Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Platinum Scissors, 2009 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Manhattan Rain, Australian Group 2 winner Al Maher, and Australian Group 3 winners Sliding Cube and Salameh.
- Monroe (1977, by Sir Ivor) won the 1980 Ballyogan Stakes (IRE-G3) and was Group 1-placed. She is the dam of 1997 European champion 2-year-old male Xaar (by Zafonic), French Group 3 winners Masterclass (by The Minstrel) and Diese (by Diesis), and Grade 2-placed listed stakes winner Ile de Jinsky (by Ile de Bourbon). She is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Senure, Grade/Group 2 winners Didina and Trick of Light, and Grade 3 winner Speak in Passing. She is also the third dam of 2014 American champion older female Close Hatches, multiple Group 1 winner Siskin, Australian Group 2 winners Domesday and Permit, and Australian Group 3 winner Cool Front.
- Gielgud (1978, by Sir Ivor) won the 1980 Laurent Perrier Champagne Stakes (ENG-G2). According to records kept by The Jockey Club, he sired nine stakes winners from 352 named foals.
- Blush With Pride (1979, by Blushing Groom) won the 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) and Santa Susana Stakes (USA-G1). She is the dam of 1998 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G2) winner Better Than Honour (by Deputy Minister), who earned 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors after producing back-to-back Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winners Jazil (2006, by Seeking the Gold) and Rags to Riches (2007, by A.P. Indy). Rags to Riches won an Eclipse Award as the American champion 3-year-old filly of 2007, and Better Than Honour also produced Grade 2 winner Casino Drive (by Mineshaft) and 2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon (USA-L) winner Man of Iron (by Giant's Causeway). In addition, Better Than Honour is the second dam of 2016 Hungarian Horse of the Year Rhett Butler and 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming. Returning to Blush With Pride, she is also the dam of French Group 2 winner Smolensk (by Danzig) and Irish Group 3 winner Turnberry Isle (by Deputy Minister); the second dam of 2007 European co-champion 3-year-old filly Peeping Fawn, 2007 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Thewayyouare, and Grade 3 winner Can the Man; and the third dam of Brazilian Group 2 winner Super Desejada and Grade 3 winner America.
- Nijinsky's Best (1983, by Nijinsky II) produced multiple Grade 1 winner Yagli (by Jade Hunter). She is also the third dam of 2021 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rockemperor.
- Perfect Isn't Easy (1987, by Saratoga Six) is the third dam of 2015 Clark Handicap (USA-G1) winner Effinex.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Best in Show was bred by Philip Conors. She was owned by Norman S. Woolworth's Clearview Stable, which purchased her from the 1966 Keeneland summer yearling sale for US$25,000, and was trained by Jack H. Skirvin. Following her racing career, Best in Show was sold privately to Anne Forsythe (Mrs. H. Frank Forsythe) and was sold to Stonereath Farm in another private transaction in 1975. She was humanely destroyed due to laminitis in 1990 and was buried at Stonereath.
Pedigree notes
Best in Show is inbred 5x5 to three-time American champion sire and broodmare sire Fair Play amd 5x5 to 1903 English Triple Crown winner Rock Sand. She is a full sister to stakes-placed Reckless Driver, dam of multiple stakes winner Greenbriar (by Nashua) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 3 winner Tolanda and Grade 3 winner Clamorosa. Best in Show is also a half sister to 1963 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner Journalist (by Nashua) and to Stolen Date (by Sadair), dam of Italian Group 3 winner Bubinka (by Nashua) and French stakes winner Stoshka (by Nashua); second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Lady Carlotta; and third dam of 2003 Irish champion 2-year-old male and 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby (IRE-G1) winner Grey Swallow, 1999 Indian champion sprinter Indiscretion, and Irish Group 3 winner Moonlight Dance. In addition, Best in Show is a half sister to Hourly Desire (by Advocator), dam of juvenile stakes winner Existing Desire (by Our Native).
Best in Show was produced from the stakes-placed Mr. Busher mare Stolen Hour, a full sister to 1955 Oakland Handicap winner Beau Busher and a half sister to 1945 Arlington Matron Handicap winner War Date (by War Admiral). Stolen Hour is also a half sister to Elope (by Heliopolis), dam of juvenile stakes winner Sheila's Star (by Dark Star); to Frolic (by Whirlaway), dam of juvenile stakes winners Joyously (by Johns Joy) and Sailor Frolic (by Cap Size); and to Latent (by Thundering), second dam of 1969 New Orleans Handicap winner Miracle Hill.
The next dam in Best in Show's tail-female line is 1935 American champion handicap female Late Date (by Hourless), a full sister to Hour by Hour, dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Hygrohour (by Hygro), and a half sister to 1928 Connaught Cup Handicap winner Clear Sky (by Sir Barton). Late Date and her siblings are out of the Colin mare Herd Girl, a half sister to stakes winners Dare Say (by Cudgel) and How High (by High Time).
Books and media
- Best in Show is one of 24 outstanding matrons profiled in Edward Bowen's Matriarchs: Great Mares of the 20th Century (1999,2000, The Blood-Horse, Inc.).
- Best in Show is profiled in Chapter 40 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2006, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Last updated: January 13, 2024