Blenheim II (GB)
April 16, 1927 – May 26, 1958
Blandford (GB) x Malva (GB), by Charles O'Malley (IRE)
Family 1-e
April 16, 1927 – May 26, 1958
Blandford (GB) x Malva (GB), by Charles O'Malley (IRE)
Family 1-e
Considered the second-stringer behind Rustom Pasha in his own stable, Blenheim II proved to be the better stayer and won the Derby Stakes under a patient ride by Harry Wragg. Unfortunately, the Derby was his last race and he entered stud in France the following year. He proved an influential sire on both sides of the Atlantic, getting 1936 Derby Stakes winner Mahmoud, Italian champion Donatello II, and Mumtaz Begum, dam of Nasrullah and second dam of Royal Charger, while in France and becoming the American champion sire of 1941 thanks to his great son Whirlaway. He was also an important broodmare sire in the United States.
Race record
10 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, £14,533
1929:
1930:
Assessments
Rated fourth among English juveniles of 1929 on the Free Handicap at 126 pounds, behind champion Diolite (129 pounds), Press Gang (128 pounds), and Challenger II (127 pounds).
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Blenheim II an “inferior” Derby winner.
As an individual
A short-coupled brown horse of refined make, Blenheim stood 15.3 hands. He was a well-balanced animal, blessed with a long hip and a strong hind leg, but was rather upright in front and light on bone. He suffered a career-ending tendon injury while in training for the 1930 Eclipse Stakes. He had a strong turn of foot. According to jockey Harry Wragg, he was "a lovely horse to ride."
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Blenheim II sired 287 winners (59.5%) and 47 stakes winners (9.8%) from 482 named foals. Great Thoroughbred Stallions of the World (Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) states that Blenheim II sired 60 stakes winners (12.4%); tbheritage.com, Dynasties (Bowen) and Peerage of Racehorses (Ulbrich) credit Blenheim II with 61 stakes winners; and Sire Lines (Hewitt) credits the stallion with 64 stakes winners (13.3%) in Europe and North America. His runners generally improved from 2 to 3 and excelled over middle distances. According to Calumet Farm's legendary father-son training team of Ben and Jimmy Jones, Blenheim II's progeny were prone to temperamental and mental issues, and many horsemen felt that they had weak bones as well. Blenheim II is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com)
Notable progeny
A Gleam (USA), Blue Bear (FR), Donatello II (FR), Drap d'Or (FR), Easy Lass (USA), Fervent (USA), Jet Pilot (USA), Mahmoud (FR), Mar-Kell (USA), Miss Keeneland (USA), Mumtaz Begum (FR), Nellie L. (USA), Pampeiro (FR), Whirlaway (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
A Glitter (USA), Antonio Canale (ITY), Argur (FR), Blue Light (CAN), Coaltown (USA), Comely Nell (USA), Espace Vital (GER), Great Circle (USA), Hill Gail (USA), Kauai King (USA), Le Paillon (FR), Little Tumbler (USA), Mark-Ye-Well (USA), Nasrullah (IRE), Ponder (USA), Rejected (USA), Romanita (USA), Wistful (USA)
Connections
Blenheim II was bred by Henry Herbert, 6th Earl of Carnarvon, at his Highclere Stud. He was consigned to the sales ring as a yearling and sold for 4,100 guineas to the third Aga Khan. He was trained by Richard C. “Dick” Dawson. After standing at the Aga Khan's Haras Marly La Ville in France from 1931 through 1936, Blenheim II was sold for £45,000 to a syndicate headed by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., of Claiborne Farm and exported to the United States. Blenheim II stood at Claiborne for the remainder of his life and is buried in the farm's famed equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Blenheim II is inbred 4x4 to 1893 English Triple Crown winner Isinglass, 5x4 to the great St. Simon, 5x5x5 to Isinglass' sire Isonomy, and 5x5 to St. Simon's sire Galopin. He is a full brother to 1937 dead-heat Coronation Cup winner His Grace and a half brother to King Salmon (by Salmon-Trout), winner of the 1934 Coronation Cup and Eclipse Stakes. He is also a half brother to Frankly (by Franklin), second dam of five stakes winners including multiple English stakes winner and three-time New Zealand champion sire Summertime and 1957 Newmarket Oaks winner Mulberry Harbour, second dam of 1973 Italian champion 3-year-old male Cerreto.
Blenheim II was produced from Malva, a tiny (15 hands) but well-conformed mare whose three victories all came in 5-furlong sprints. Her dam Wild Arum (by Robert le Diable) scored her only win from 13 tries in a 7-furlong nursery event. A full sister to the good stayer Rivoli, she was out of Marliacea (by Martagon), a useful handicapper who probably showed her best form when third in the 1905 Park Hill Stakes.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: November 14, 2024
Race record
10 starts, 5 wins, 3 seconds, 0 thirds, £14,533
1929:
- Won New Stakes (ENG, 5FT, Ascot)
- Won Hopeful Stakes (ENG, 5FT, Newmarket)
- Won Manton Plate (ENG, 5FT, Newbury)
- Won Speedy Plate (ENG, 5FT, Windsor)
- 2nd Middle Park Stakes (ENG, 6FT, Newmarket)
- 2nd Champagne Stakes (ENG, 6FT, Doncaster)
- 2nd Stud Produce Stakes (ENG, Sandown)
1930:
- Won Derby Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Epsom)
Assessments
Rated fourth among English juveniles of 1929 on the Free Handicap at 126 pounds, behind champion Diolite (129 pounds), Press Gang (128 pounds), and Challenger II (127 pounds).
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press Ltd.), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Blenheim II an “inferior” Derby winner.
As an individual
A short-coupled brown horse of refined make, Blenheim stood 15.3 hands. He was a well-balanced animal, blessed with a long hip and a strong hind leg, but was rather upright in front and light on bone. He suffered a career-ending tendon injury while in training for the 1930 Eclipse Stakes. He had a strong turn of foot. According to jockey Harry Wragg, he was "a lovely horse to ride."
As a stallion
According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Blenheim II sired 287 winners (59.5%) and 47 stakes winners (9.8%) from 482 named foals. Great Thoroughbred Stallions of the World (Churchill, Reichard and Rogers) states that Blenheim II sired 60 stakes winners (12.4%); tbheritage.com, Dynasties (Bowen) and Peerage of Racehorses (Ulbrich) credit Blenheim II with 61 stakes winners; and Sire Lines (Hewitt) credits the stallion with 64 stakes winners (13.3%) in Europe and North America. His runners generally improved from 2 to 3 and excelled over middle distances. According to Calumet Farm's legendary father-son training team of Ben and Jimmy Jones, Blenheim II's progeny were prone to temperamental and mental issues, and many horsemen felt that they had weak bones as well. Blenheim II is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- Led the American general sire list in 1941; 3rd in 1942; 4th in 1947; 5th in 1948 and 1951; 7th in 1945; 9th in 1944.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1957 and 1958; 4th in 1960; 5th in 1949; 7th in 1950; 8th in 1964; 10th in 1966.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- Led the American general sire list in 1941; 2nd in 1942; 3rd in 1942; 4th in 1947; 5th in 1948 and 1951; 7th in 1945; 9th in 1944.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1957 and 1958; 3rd in 1959; 4th in 1952, 1954, and 1960; 5th in 1949 and 1953; 6th in 1955; 7th in 1950, 1956, 1961, and 1962; 8th in 1951; 9th in 1964.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the American general sire list in 1941; 2nd in 1943; 3rd in 1942; 4th in 1947; 5th in 1948 and 1951; 7th in 1945; 9th in 1944.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1957 and 1958; 3rd in 1959; 4th in 1952, 1954, and 1960; 5th in 1949 and 1953; 6th in 1955; 7th in 1950, 1956, 1961, and 1962; 8th in 1951; 9th in 1964; 10th in 1966.
- 4th on the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1935; 9th in 1936; 10th in 1937.
- 10th on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1945
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com)
- Led the American general sire list in 1941.
Notable progeny
A Gleam (USA), Blue Bear (FR), Donatello II (FR), Drap d'Or (FR), Easy Lass (USA), Fervent (USA), Jet Pilot (USA), Mahmoud (FR), Mar-Kell (USA), Miss Keeneland (USA), Mumtaz Begum (FR), Nellie L. (USA), Pampeiro (FR), Whirlaway (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
A Glitter (USA), Antonio Canale (ITY), Argur (FR), Blue Light (CAN), Coaltown (USA), Comely Nell (USA), Espace Vital (GER), Great Circle (USA), Hill Gail (USA), Kauai King (USA), Le Paillon (FR), Little Tumbler (USA), Mark-Ye-Well (USA), Nasrullah (IRE), Ponder (USA), Rejected (USA), Romanita (USA), Wistful (USA)
Connections
Blenheim II was bred by Henry Herbert, 6th Earl of Carnarvon, at his Highclere Stud. He was consigned to the sales ring as a yearling and sold for 4,100 guineas to the third Aga Khan. He was trained by Richard C. “Dick” Dawson. After standing at the Aga Khan's Haras Marly La Ville in France from 1931 through 1936, Blenheim II was sold for £45,000 to a syndicate headed by Arthur B. Hancock, Sr., of Claiborne Farm and exported to the United States. Blenheim II stood at Claiborne for the remainder of his life and is buried in the farm's famed equine cemetery.
Pedigree notes
Blenheim II is inbred 4x4 to 1893 English Triple Crown winner Isinglass, 5x4 to the great St. Simon, 5x5x5 to Isinglass' sire Isonomy, and 5x5 to St. Simon's sire Galopin. He is a full brother to 1937 dead-heat Coronation Cup winner His Grace and a half brother to King Salmon (by Salmon-Trout), winner of the 1934 Coronation Cup and Eclipse Stakes. He is also a half brother to Frankly (by Franklin), second dam of five stakes winners including multiple English stakes winner and three-time New Zealand champion sire Summertime and 1957 Newmarket Oaks winner Mulberry Harbour, second dam of 1973 Italian champion 3-year-old male Cerreto.
Blenheim II was produced from Malva, a tiny (15 hands) but well-conformed mare whose three victories all came in 5-furlong sprints. Her dam Wild Arum (by Robert le Diable) scored her only win from 13 tries in a 7-furlong nursery event. A full sister to the good stayer Rivoli, she was out of Marliacea (by Martagon), a useful handicapper who probably showed her best form when third in the 1905 Park Hill Stakes.
Books and media
- Blenheim II is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
- Blenheim II is profiled in Chapter 12 of Abram S. Hewitt's Sire Lines (1977, The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; updated and re-released in 2006 by Eclipse Press).
- Blenheim II is profiled in “Blenheim and Pharos,” the 16th chapter of Sir Charles Leicester's Bloodstock Breeding (1957, J. A. Allen & Company Ltd.; updated by Howard Wright and re-released by the same company in 1983).
- Blenheim II is profiled in Part One of Edward Bowen's Dynasties: Great Thoroughbred Stallions (2000, The Blood-Horse, Inc.)
Fun facts
- In European history, the Battle of Blenheim, fought in 1704, was a major battle of the War of the Spanish Succession. English forces under the command of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, played a key role in securing the victory and helped England rise from being perceived solely as a maritime power to the status of a major player in the politics and military fortunes of the European continent. In memory of this event, the name “Blenheim Palace” was given to the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough.
- Blenheim II received the “II” following his name on his importation to distinguish him from another son of Blandford by the same name who had been imported to North America in utero. Produced from the Light Brigade mare Flying Squadron, the first Blenheim was a good stakes winner in the United States but failed at stud.
- Much speculation has been put out regarding the reasons that the Aga Khan decided to sell his successful stallion, a sale much deplored by European breeders. While fears regarding Blenheim II's health and breeders' dislike for the mental quirks the stallion bequeathed to his progeny have both been given as likely reasons, the rising political tensions in Europe prior to the second World War and perhaps a need for ready cash are likelier reasons, though not nearly so pressing as when he later sold his English Triple Crown winner Bahram and Derby Stakes winner Mahmoud.
Last updated: November 14, 2024