Blushing Groom (FR)
April 8, 1974 – May 6, 1992
Red God (USA) x Runaway Bride (GB), by Wild Risk (FR)
Family 22-d
April 8, 1974 – May 6, 1992
Red God (USA) x Runaway Bride (GB), by Wild Risk (FR)
Family 22-d
A beautiful chestnut of slightly below medium size, Blushing Groom was much the best French juvenile of his year and trained on at three to become a Classic winner. Exported to the United States, he became as good a sire as he was a racehorse and established his own branch of the male line of his grandsire Nasrullah.
Race record
10 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$372,802 (converted from earnings in England and France)
1976:
1977:
Honors
Assessments
Blushing Groom was rated the best French juvenile of 1976 by 7 pounds on the French Free Handicap.
Rated by Timeform at 131 pounds, tops among European juveniles of 1976..
As an individual
Blushing Groom stood 15.3 hands. He was elegant but strong with a deep girth, full hindquarters and beautiful balance. He had legs slightly short for his height and length. His withers were fairly flat and he could be faulted as slightly light on bone. His hooves were a little flat and inclined to be thin-walled. His action was high and bounding but agile and he had a sharp turn of foot. He had an excellent disposition.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Blushing Groom sired 305 winners (58.4%) and 93 stakes winners (17.8%) from 522 named foals; Blushing Groom's foals were not particularly precocious but usually trained on well if they did come to hand at 2 and excelled over a wide variety of distances. They were generally medium to small in size with rather light bone and sometimes inherited their sire's flat feet. Blushing Groom is a Brilliant/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Al Bahathri (USA), Arazi (USA), Baillamont (USA), Blush With Pride (USA), Blushing John (USA), Blushing Katy (USA), Candy Stripes (USA), Classic Tale (USA), Crystal Glitters (USA), Digamist (USA), Fire the Groom (USA), Gold Splash (USA), Groom Dancer (USA), Ifrad (USA), Jallad (USA), Jalmood (USA), Mt. Livermore (USA), Nashwan (USA), Nassipour (USA), Primal Force (USA), Rahy (USA), Rainbow Quest (USA), Rosananti (IRE), Runaway Groom (CAN), Shy Tom (USA), Sillery (USA), Sky Beauty (USA), Snow Bride (USA), Too Chic (USA), Vigliotto (USA), You'd Be Surprised (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Altieri (GB), Awesome Again (CAN), Better Than Honour (USA), Carson City (USA), Chic Shirine (USA), Flute (USA), Galikova (FR), Haafhd (GB), Hurricane Cat (USA), Kahyasi (IRE), Lammtarra (USA), Louis Cyphre (IRE), Macho Uno (USA), Mayano Top Gun (JPN), Missed the Storm (USA), Queena (USA), Spanish Fern (USA), Stravinsky (USA), T. M. Opera O (JPN), White Heart (GB), Yamanin Zephyr (JPN)
Connections
Blushing Groom was bred by John McNamee Sullivan. He was owned by the fourth Aga Khan, who bought him for 16,500 guineas from the 1974 Newmarket yearling sales. He was trained by François Mathet. At the conclusion of his racing career, he was syndicated for US$6.26 million and sent to Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. He began experiencing fertility problems in 1990 after having had a testicle removed due to a tumor in 1989. He died in 1992.
Pedigree notes
Blushing Groom is inbred 5x4x5 to three-time English champion sire Blandford. He is a full brother to multiple French Group 3 winner Bayraan and a half brother to French stakes winner Chateau Gaillard (by Silver Shark). He is also a half brother to Group 3-placed Allicance (by Alleged), dam of English Group 2 winner Royal Kingdom (by Fairy King) and French stakes winners Beaute Dangereuse and Matador (both by Nureyev) and second dam of five stakes winners including 2001 Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) winner Agnes Digital. Another of Blushing Groom's half sisters, Bold Escape (by Bold Forbes) is the dam of stakes winners Canaveral (by Relaunch) and Ridge Escape (by Cox's Ridge) and is the second dam of multiple Japanese stakes winner Ayrton Symboli.
Runaway Bride, the dam of Blushing Groom, is out of the Tudor Minstrel mare Aimee and is a half sister to French Group 3 winner Afayoon (by Silver Shark) and to French stakes winner Adjarida (by Red God), dam of German stakes winner Adjmal (by Dancing Brave) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Adaiyka and Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Adjareli. She is also a half sister to 1966 Prix de Minerve winner Flaming Heart (by Sheshoon), dam of French Group 2 winner Maroun (by Venture VII) and second dam of European stakes winners Kareliaan, Kirmann, and Shelina
In addition, Runaway Bride had several half sisters who failed to earn black type but were notable producers. Zannira (by Sovereign Path) is the dam of 1977 Oaks d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Zabarella (by Clouet; dam of English stakes winner Tisn't, by Shergar) and European stakes winners Zeolide Lecrau (by Mourne; dam of multiple Italian stakes winner Zeusi, by Pitskelly), Zampieri (by Canisbay), and Zaccolino (by Sharpen Up). Khazaeen (by Charlottesville) is the dam of Classic-placed English stakes winner The Dancer (by Green Dancer) and The Dundass (by Amber Rama), a stakes winner in Trinidad and Tobago, and is the second dam of 10 stakes winners including multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Alwuhush and 1993 Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Husband. Afasheen (by Sheshoon) is the second dam of 1990 Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1) winner Air de Rien, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Where or When, 1998 Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner The Groom is Red, and 2000 Emirates Singapore Derby winner All the Way. Finally, Afara (by Silver Shark) is the second dam of the brilliantly fast Meafara, a multiple Grade 3 winner and twice runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: October 6, 2023
Race record
10 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 2 thirds, US$372,802 (converted from earnings in England and France)
1976:
- Won Grand Critérium (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de la Salamandre (FR-G1, 1400mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Morny (FR-G1, 1200mT, Deauville)
- Won Prix Robert Papin (FR-G1, 1100mT, Maisons-Laffitte)
1977:
- Won Poule d'Essai des Poulains (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de Fontainebleau (FR-G3, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix Jacques le Marois (FR-G1, 1600mT, Deauville)
- 3rd Derby Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Epsom)
Honors
- French champion 2-year-old male (1976)
- European champion miler (1977)
- English champion miler (1977)
- French champion miler (1977)
Assessments
Blushing Groom was rated the best French juvenile of 1976 by 7 pounds on the French Free Handicap.
Rated by Timeform at 131 pounds, tops among European juveniles of 1976..
As an individual
Blushing Groom stood 15.3 hands. He was elegant but strong with a deep girth, full hindquarters and beautiful balance. He had legs slightly short for his height and length. His withers were fairly flat and he could be faulted as slightly light on bone. His hooves were a little flat and inclined to be thin-walled. His action was high and bounding but agile and he had a sharp turn of foot. He had an excellent disposition.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Blushing Groom sired 305 winners (58.4%) and 93 stakes winners (17.8%) from 522 named foals; Blushing Groom's foals were not particularly precocious but usually trained on well if they did come to hand at 2 and excelled over a wide variety of distances. They were generally medium to small in size with rather light bone and sometimes inherited their sire's flat feet. Blushing Groom is a Brilliant/Classic chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1985.
Per Arion Pedigrees (www.arion.co.nz):
- 10th on the French broodmare sire list in 2011.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1989; 6th in 1985.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1998.
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1989; 4th in 1985.
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1988; 2nd in 1995; 7th in 1999.
- 3rd on the French general sire list in 1985; 4th in 1991; 6th in 1992; 7th in 1987.
- 4th on the French broodmare sire list in 1995.
- Led the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2000; 10th in 2001.
Per Japan Bloodstock Information Systems (https://www.jbis.jp/ranking/):
- 5th on the Japanese broodmare sire list in 2000; 10th in 2001.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1989.
Notable progeny
Al Bahathri (USA), Arazi (USA), Baillamont (USA), Blush With Pride (USA), Blushing John (USA), Blushing Katy (USA), Candy Stripes (USA), Classic Tale (USA), Crystal Glitters (USA), Digamist (USA), Fire the Groom (USA), Gold Splash (USA), Groom Dancer (USA), Ifrad (USA), Jallad (USA), Jalmood (USA), Mt. Livermore (USA), Nashwan (USA), Nassipour (USA), Primal Force (USA), Rahy (USA), Rainbow Quest (USA), Rosananti (IRE), Runaway Groom (CAN), Shy Tom (USA), Sillery (USA), Sky Beauty (USA), Snow Bride (USA), Too Chic (USA), Vigliotto (USA), You'd Be Surprised (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Altieri (GB), Awesome Again (CAN), Better Than Honour (USA), Carson City (USA), Chic Shirine (USA), Flute (USA), Galikova (FR), Haafhd (GB), Hurricane Cat (USA), Kahyasi (IRE), Lammtarra (USA), Louis Cyphre (IRE), Macho Uno (USA), Mayano Top Gun (JPN), Missed the Storm (USA), Queena (USA), Spanish Fern (USA), Stravinsky (USA), T. M. Opera O (JPN), White Heart (GB), Yamanin Zephyr (JPN)
Connections
Blushing Groom was bred by John McNamee Sullivan. He was owned by the fourth Aga Khan, who bought him for 16,500 guineas from the 1974 Newmarket yearling sales. He was trained by François Mathet. At the conclusion of his racing career, he was syndicated for US$6.26 million and sent to Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Kentucky. He began experiencing fertility problems in 1990 after having had a testicle removed due to a tumor in 1989. He died in 1992.
Pedigree notes
Blushing Groom is inbred 5x4x5 to three-time English champion sire Blandford. He is a full brother to multiple French Group 3 winner Bayraan and a half brother to French stakes winner Chateau Gaillard (by Silver Shark). He is also a half brother to Group 3-placed Allicance (by Alleged), dam of English Group 2 winner Royal Kingdom (by Fairy King) and French stakes winners Beaute Dangereuse and Matador (both by Nureyev) and second dam of five stakes winners including 2001 Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) winner Agnes Digital. Another of Blushing Groom's half sisters, Bold Escape (by Bold Forbes) is the dam of stakes winners Canaveral (by Relaunch) and Ridge Escape (by Cox's Ridge) and is the second dam of multiple Japanese stakes winner Ayrton Symboli.
Runaway Bride, the dam of Blushing Groom, is out of the Tudor Minstrel mare Aimee and is a half sister to French Group 3 winner Afayoon (by Silver Shark) and to French stakes winner Adjarida (by Red God), dam of German stakes winner Adjmal (by Dancing Brave) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Adaiyka and Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Adjareli. She is also a half sister to 1966 Prix de Minerve winner Flaming Heart (by Sheshoon), dam of French Group 2 winner Maroun (by Venture VII) and second dam of European stakes winners Kareliaan, Kirmann, and Shelina
In addition, Runaway Bride had several half sisters who failed to earn black type but were notable producers. Zannira (by Sovereign Path) is the dam of 1977 Oaks d'Italia (ITY-G1) winner Zabarella (by Clouet; dam of English stakes winner Tisn't, by Shergar) and European stakes winners Zeolide Lecrau (by Mourne; dam of multiple Italian stakes winner Zeusi, by Pitskelly), Zampieri (by Canisbay), and Zaccolino (by Sharpen Up). Khazaeen (by Charlottesville) is the dam of Classic-placed English stakes winner The Dancer (by Green Dancer) and The Dundass (by Amber Rama), a stakes winner in Trinidad and Tobago, and is the second dam of 10 stakes winners including multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Alwuhush and 1993 Rothmans Ltd. International Stakes (CAN-G1) winner Husband. Afasheen (by Sheshoon) is the second dam of 1990 Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1) winner Air de Rien, 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Where or When, 1998 Champagne Stakes (USA-G1) winner The Groom is Red, and 2000 Emirates Singapore Derby winner All the Way. Finally, Afara (by Silver Shark) is the second dam of the brilliantly fast Meafara, a multiple Grade 3 winner and twice runner-up in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1).
Books and media
- Blushing Groom 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.
- Blushing Groom is one of 75 stallions profiled in Tony Morris' Thoroughbred Stallions (1990, The Crowood Press).
Fun facts
- Blushing Groom was the second colt to sweep France's “Quadruple Crown” of Group 1 events for juveniles. The first to do so was the English-trained My Swallow in 1970.
- Blushing Groom was imported to the United States just ahead of a ban on equine importations from Europe due to an outbreak of contagious equine metritis. Other stallions imported at the same time included Caro and The Minstrel.
Last updated: October 6, 2023