The Preakness Stakes was the richest stakes race for 3-year-olds in North America in 1921 and was Broomspun's sole moment of glory. He was never to have the chance to show that he could follow up on his Classic victory, for he was kicked at the post in his next start, the Carlton Stakes, and had to be humanely destroyed due to a broken shoulder.
Race record
Unknown. Earned US$49,000
1920:
1921:
As an individual
A bay colt, Broomspun was described as "handsome" in contemporary records.
Connections
Broomspun was bred and owned by Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Sr., and was ridden in the Preakness by Frank Coltiletti.
Pedigree notes
Broomspun is inbred 4x5 to two-time American champion sire Bonnie Scotland, 4x5 to three-time English champion sire and 1875 Derby Stakes winner Galopin and 5x4 to four-time American champion sire Leamington. He is a full brother to 1921 Great American Stakes winner Broomster and to Forshala, dam of the minor stakes winner Hell Diver (by Peter Pan) and second dam of stakes winners Big Ben and Sleigh Run. Broomspun is also a half brother to Spy Glass (by Chicle), dam of multiple stakes winner Lynx Eye (by Wildair).
Broomspun's dam Spun Glass is a half sister to 1905 Belmont Stakes winner Tanya (by Meddler), dam of Cuban stakes winner Attta Boy II (by Rabelais), and to 1905 Adirondack Handicap winner Tangle (by Meddler), second dam of three stakes winners including 1930 Queens County Handicap winner Kildare. Spun Glass is also a half sister to multiple stakes winner Nightstick (by Broomstick) and to Paradise II (by Adam), dam of 1921 Tremont Stakes winner Olympus (by Royal Eagle).
Spun Glass and her siblings were produced from 1895 Tennessee Oaks winner Handspun (by Hanover), whose dam Spinaway (by Leamington) is the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1880 and the namesake for Saratoga's most important race for juvenile fillies. Spinaway also produced 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong (by Duke of Montrose) and 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone (by Spendthrift).
Fun facts
Last updated: May 3, 2021
Race record
Unknown. Earned US$49,000
1920:
- 2nd Great American Stakes (USA, 5FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Walden Stakes (USA, 8FD, Pimlico)
1921:
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA, 9FD, Pimlico)
- Also set a new track record for one mile on dirt at Churchill Downs
As an individual
A bay colt, Broomspun was described as "handsome" in contemporary records.
Connections
Broomspun was bred and owned by Harry Payne Whitney. He was trained by James Rowe, Sr., and was ridden in the Preakness by Frank Coltiletti.
Pedigree notes
Broomspun is inbred 4x5 to two-time American champion sire Bonnie Scotland, 4x5 to three-time English champion sire and 1875 Derby Stakes winner Galopin and 5x4 to four-time American champion sire Leamington. He is a full brother to 1921 Great American Stakes winner Broomster and to Forshala, dam of the minor stakes winner Hell Diver (by Peter Pan) and second dam of stakes winners Big Ben and Sleigh Run. Broomspun is also a half brother to Spy Glass (by Chicle), dam of multiple stakes winner Lynx Eye (by Wildair).
Broomspun's dam Spun Glass is a half sister to 1905 Belmont Stakes winner Tanya (by Meddler), dam of Cuban stakes winner Attta Boy II (by Rabelais), and to 1905 Adirondack Handicap winner Tangle (by Meddler), second dam of three stakes winners including 1930 Queens County Handicap winner Kildare. Spun Glass is also a half sister to multiple stakes winner Nightstick (by Broomstick) and to Paradise II (by Adam), dam of 1921 Tremont Stakes winner Olympus (by Royal Eagle).
Spun Glass and her siblings were produced from 1895 Tennessee Oaks winner Handspun (by Hanover), whose dam Spinaway (by Leamington) is the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1880 and the namesake for Saratoga's most important race for juvenile fillies. Spinaway also produced 1891 Tremont Stakes winner Spinalong (by Duke of Montrose) and 1895 Suburban Handicap winner Lazzarone (by Spendthrift).
Fun facts
- Broomspun is the fourth of six Preakness winners bred by Harry Payne Whitney. The others were Royal Tourist (1908), Buskin (1913), Holiday (1914), Bostonian (1927) and Victorian (1928).
- Broomspun's Preakness win was aided by a 12-pound weight allowance based on his moderate previous record. The Preakness continued to be run under allowance conditions until 1924, when the weights for the race were fixed at 126 pounds for colts and 121 pounds for fillies.
- In spite of his having run a mile at Churchill Downs in 1:36-1/5 on Derby day—sensational time by the standards of 1921—Broomspun was only entered in the Preakness Stakes because James Rowe, Jr., had made a pet of the colt and pleaded with his father to go ahead and run him with the more highly regarded Tryster (who had been the champion juvenile male of 1920). The younger James Rowe later became a top trainer in his own right, his charges including 1931 American Horse of the Year Twenty Grand and 1928 Preakness Stakes winner Victorian.
Last updated: May 3, 2021