One of the better American fillies of her generation at 2 and 4, Blue Delight was a good race mare on the Midwestern circuit and was the unquestioned queen of Chicago racing in 1942 in spite of repeated struggles with physical issues. Nonetheless, she was far better as a broodmare. The only mare to produce three winners of the Kentucky Oaks, she became the foundation of one of Calumet Farm's great families.
Race record
24 starts, 10 wins, 2 seconds, 7 thirds, US$51,615
1940:
1941:
1942:
Assessments
Rated at 114 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1940, 7 pounds below champion Level Best but second among fillies.
As an individual
A tall, lengthy brown mare standing slightly over 16 hands, Blue Delight was somewhat long-backed and light-boned but had strong hindquarters. She had a long stride and could run a field off its feet with her speed out of the gate but could also come from off the pace as her jockey desired. She was troubled by a sore ankle at 2 and a leg infection at 3 and was forced into retirement by a bowed tendon while in training as a 5-year-old.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Blue Delight produced 10 named foals, of which six started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled at Thomas Piatt's Crestwood Farm in Kentucky, Blue Delight was bred and owned by John Marsch. She raced in the colors of March's wife and was trained by Roscoe Goose. When Marsh ended his involvement in Thoroughbred racing in 1946, he sold his broodmares (including Blue Delight) to Henry Knight, who resold Blue Delight to Warren Wright's Calumet Farm for US$25,000.
Pedigree notes
Blue Delight is inbred 5x5 to two-time American champion Ben Brush. She is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Lightspur and is out of juvenile stakes winner Chicleight. Chicleight, in turn, is a half sister to multiple stakes winners Siskin (by Épinard), Hygro (by Épinard), and Errard (by Challenger II) and is out of the Honeywood mare Ruddy Light, herself the winner of the 1923 Clipsetta Stakes.
A half sister to stakes winners Phillip (by Peter Pan), Tarpaulin (by Supremus), and Epernay (by Epinard), Ruddy Light is out of the Sweep mare Washoe Belle, winner of the 1915 Denver Juvenile Stakes. The next dam in Blue Delight's tail-female line, Grace Commoner (by The Commoner), is out of Grace J., by Great Tom out of the Hiawatha mare Alaska.
Books and media
Blue Delight is one of 24 important broodmares profiled in Edward Bowen's Matriarchs: Great Mares of the 20th Century (1999, 2000, The Blood-Horse, Inc.).
Photo credit
Blue Delight, Conn McCreary up. Brownie Leach photo, October 9, 1941. From the Keeneland Library Leach Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions regarding use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024
Race record
24 starts, 10 wins, 2 seconds, 7 thirds, US$51,615
1940:
- Won Arlington Lassie Stakes (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Joliet Stakes (USA, 5FD, Lincoln Fields)
1941:
- 3rd Cinderella Handicap (USA, 7FD, Arlington Park)
- 3rd Falls City Handicap (USA, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
1942:
- Won Arlington Matron Handicap (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Cinderella Handicap (USA, 7FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Cleopatra Handicap (USA, 8FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Princess Pat Handicap (USA, 8FD, Washington Park)
- 3rd Beverly Handicap (USA, 8FD, Washington Park)
Assessments
Rated at 114 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1940, 7 pounds below champion Level Best but second among fillies.
As an individual
A tall, lengthy brown mare standing slightly over 16 hands, Blue Delight was somewhat long-backed and light-boned but had strong hindquarters. She had a long stride and could run a field off its feet with her speed out of the gate but could also come from off the pace as her jockey desired. She was troubled by a sore ankle at 2 and a leg infection at 3 and was forced into retirement by a bowed tendon while in training as a 5-year-old.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Blue Delight produced 10 named foals, of which six started and five won. Her important foals are as follow:
- All Blue (1947, by Bull Lea) won the 1951 San Antonio Handicap. He sired eight stakes winners from 176 foals, none of any great note.
- Whirling Lark (1948, by Whirlaway) was unplaced in her only start but produced 1955 Gotham Stakes winner Go Lightly (by Faultless). She is the third dam of multiple Grade 1 winner El Senor, Grade 2 winner Carry the Banner, and Grade 3 winners Jamila Kadir and Strawberry Wine.
- Real Delight (1949, by Bull Lea) was the American champion 3-year-old filly and champion handicap female of 1952, and her victories included the old Filly Triple Crown of the Kentucky Oaks, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and Coaching Club American Oaks. She produced stakes winners Plum Cake (by Ponder), No Fooling (by Tom Fool), and Spring Sunshine (by Nashua) and is the second dam of Grade 2 winners Sugar Plum Time and Dazzle Me Jolie, Grade 3 winners Raise a Cup and Lucky So n' So, 1969 Sport Page Handicap winner Lonesome River, 1971 Juvenile Stakes winner and 1980/1981 South African champion sire Plum Bold, and 1977 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth. Through Sweet Tooth, Real Delight is the third dam of 1977 American champion 3-year-old filly Our Mims, the great runner and sire Alydar, and 1980 Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sugar and Spice, and she is also the third dam of 1982 American champion 3-year-old filly Christmas Past, Grade 2 winner Eminency, and Grade 3 winners Katonka and Pruneplum.
- Bubbley (1950, by Bull Lea) won the 1953 Kentucky Oaks and the 1954 Vanity Handicap. She is the second dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Who Duzzit.
- Princess Turia (1953, by Heliopolis) won the 1956 Kentucky Oaks and Acorn Stakes and the 1957 Delaware Handicap. She produced 1968 American co-champion 3-year-old male Forward Pass (by On-and-On) and 1975 Sanford Stakes (USA-G2) winner Turn to Turia (by Best Turn).
- Kentucky Pride (1955, by Bull Lea) won a division of the 1959 Royal Poinciana Handicap. He sired seven stakes winners from 173 foals, headed by 1968 Louisiana Derby winner Kentucky Sherry.
Connections
Foaled at Thomas Piatt's Crestwood Farm in Kentucky, Blue Delight was bred and owned by John Marsch. She raced in the colors of March's wife and was trained by Roscoe Goose. When Marsh ended his involvement in Thoroughbred racing in 1946, he sold his broodmares (including Blue Delight) to Henry Knight, who resold Blue Delight to Warren Wright's Calumet Farm for US$25,000.
Pedigree notes
Blue Delight is inbred 5x5 to two-time American champion Ben Brush. She is a full sister to multiple stakes winner Lightspur and is out of juvenile stakes winner Chicleight. Chicleight, in turn, is a half sister to multiple stakes winners Siskin (by Épinard), Hygro (by Épinard), and Errard (by Challenger II) and is out of the Honeywood mare Ruddy Light, herself the winner of the 1923 Clipsetta Stakes.
A half sister to stakes winners Phillip (by Peter Pan), Tarpaulin (by Supremus), and Epernay (by Epinard), Ruddy Light is out of the Sweep mare Washoe Belle, winner of the 1915 Denver Juvenile Stakes. The next dam in Blue Delight's tail-female line, Grace Commoner (by The Commoner), is out of Grace J., by Great Tom out of the Hiawatha mare Alaska.
Books and media
Blue Delight is one of 24 important broodmares profiled in Edward Bowen's Matriarchs: Great Mares of the 20th Century (1999, 2000, The Blood-Horse, Inc.).
Photo credit
Blue Delight, Conn McCreary up. Brownie Leach photo, October 9, 1941. From the Keeneland Library Leach Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions regarding use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024