Cicada (USA)
May 9, 1959 – 1981
Bryan G. (USA) x Satsuma (USA), by Bossuet (USA)
Family 9-b
May 9, 1959 – 1981
Bryan G. (USA) x Satsuma (USA), by Bossuet (USA)
Family 9-b
Cicada's distance limit was about 9 furlongs, but up to that limit she was absolute hickory. The first filly in American racing history to be awarded consecutive championships as a juvenile, 3-year-old, and older filly or mare, she won major stakes on dirt and turf. She had only moderate success as a broodmare.
Race record
42 starts, 23 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds, US$783,784
1961:
1962:
1963:
Honors
Assessments
Cicada was rated #62 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005). She was eighth among the 26 fillies and mares on the list.
Topweighted among juvenile fillies on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1961 with 118 pounds, 3 pounds above second-rated Batter Up and Firm Policy.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1962, 8 pounds above second-rated Firm Policy.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1963, 4 pounds above second-rated Firm Policy.
As an individual
Cicada stood 15.2 hands and weighed perhaps 800 pounds in racing trim. According to Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton, she was "a round, bright bay filly with a star and an eager manner." Feminine, deep-bodied and short-coupled, she had good joints and rather low withers. She had plenty of bone for a filly her size. Her disposition was excellent and she was game and willing on the track.
As a producer
Cicada produced six named foals. All six started, four won, and one, the Sir Gaylord gelding Cicada's Pride (USA), was a stakes winner. None of her foals approached her own class, and none of her three daughters were stakes producers.
Connections
Cicada was bred by Christopher Chenery's Meadow Stud, Inc., and was owned by his Meadow Stable. She was trained by J. H. "Casey" Hayes. She was retired after injuring a stifle as a 4-year-old. She died in 1981.
Pedigree notes
Cicada is inbred 5x5 to 1904 Doncaster Cup winner Robert le Diable. Her dam Satsuma is a half sister to 1950 American Horse of the Year Hill Prince (by Princequillo), 1958 American champion 2-year-old male First Landing (by Turn-to), 1956 Roamer Handicap winner Third Brother (by Princequillo), and stakes winners Mangohick (by Sun Beau) and Prince Hill (by Princequillo. Satsuma is also a half sister to First Flush (by Flushing II), dam of 1964 Sorority Stakes winner Bold Experience (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1972 Florida Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes winner Upper Case (by Round Table) and stakes winner Ms. Ross (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of 1989 Irish St. Leger (IRE-G1) winner Petite Ile. First Flush is also the dam of stakes winners Virginia Delegate (by Bold Ruler) and Copper Canyon (by Bryan G.); the second dam of 1987 Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1) winner Crusader Sword, 1988 Flamingo Stakes (USA-G1) winner Cherokee Colony and 1995 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Turk Passer; and the third dam of 1995 Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Silken Cat. Another daughter of First Flush, Bold Matron (by Bold Ruler), is the second dam of four stakes winners including Grade 2 winner Ring of Light.
Satsuma was produced from the blue hen mare Hildene (by Bubbling Over). The 1950 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Hildene is a half sister to stakes winners Silas and Napoleon, both by Crucifixion. She is out of the non-winner Fancy Racket (by Wrack), whose dam Ultimate Fancy (by Ultimus) was likewise undistinguished on the track but is a half sister to Idle Tale (by Superman), dam of multiple stakes winner Idle Dell (by Delhi) and second dam of 1927 Matron Stakes and Pimlico Futurity winner Glade. Another half sister to Ultimate Fancy, Blushes (by Hurst Park) is the second dam of 1928 Champagne Stakes winner Healy and 1931 Jerome Handicap winner Ironclad, while a third half sister, Just Fancy (by Colin), is the dam of stakes winner Our Fancy (by Busy American).
Books and media
Cicada is profiled in Chapter 9 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Cicada winning the 1961 National Stallion Stakes, Ismael Valenzuela up. Bernard Stanley Morgan photo, June 19, 1961. From the Keeneland Library Morgan 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
42 starts, 23 wins, 8 seconds, 6 thirds, US$783,784
1961:
- Won Gardenia Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- Won Frizette Stakes (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Spinaway Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Matron Stakes (USA, 6FD, Belmont)
- Won Astarita Stakes (USA, 7FD, Belmont)
- Won Schuylerville Stakes (USA, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won National Stallion Stakes (Fillies) (USA, 5.5FD, Belmont)
- Won Blue Hen Stakes (USA, 5FD, Delaware)
- 2nd Colleen Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Monmouth)
- 2nd Polly Drummond Stakes (USA, 5FD, Delaware)
- 3rd Astoria Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Fashion Stakes (USA, 5FD, Aqueduct)
1962:
- Won Mother Goose Stakes (USA, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Beldame Stakes (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct; new track record 1:48-1/5)
- Won Acorn Stakes (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Jersey Belle Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Garden State)
- Won Oaks Prep (USA, 7FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Delaware Handicap (USA, 10FD, Delaware)
- 2nd Florida Derby (USA, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 10FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Columbiana Handicap (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
- 3rd Delaware Oaks (USA, 9FD, Delaware)
- 3rd Alabama Stakes (USA, 10FD, Saratoga)
1963:
- Won Columbiana Handicap (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
- Won Sheepshead Bay Handicap (USA, 8.5FT, Aqueduct)
- Won Distaff Handicap (USA, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Vagrancy Handicap (USA, 7FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Delaware Handicap (USA, 10FD, Delaware)
- 2nd Suwannee River Handicap (USA, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Top Flight Handicap (USA, 9FD, Aqueduct)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1967)
- American champion 2-year-old filly (1961)
- American champion 3-year-old filly (1962)
- American champion handicap female (1963)
Assessments
Cicada was rated #62 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005). She was eighth among the 26 fillies and mares on the list.
Topweighted among juvenile fillies on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1961 with 118 pounds, 3 pounds above second-rated Batter Up and Firm Policy.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1962, 8 pounds above second-rated Firm Policy.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older females of 1963, 4 pounds above second-rated Firm Policy.
As an individual
Cicada stood 15.2 hands and weighed perhaps 800 pounds in racing trim. According to Daily Racing Form writer Charles Hatton, she was "a round, bright bay filly with a star and an eager manner." Feminine, deep-bodied and short-coupled, she had good joints and rather low withers. She had plenty of bone for a filly her size. Her disposition was excellent and she was game and willing on the track.
As a producer
Cicada produced six named foals. All six started, four won, and one, the Sir Gaylord gelding Cicada's Pride (USA), was a stakes winner. None of her foals approached her own class, and none of her three daughters were stakes producers.
Connections
Cicada was bred by Christopher Chenery's Meadow Stud, Inc., and was owned by his Meadow Stable. She was trained by J. H. "Casey" Hayes. She was retired after injuring a stifle as a 4-year-old. She died in 1981.
Pedigree notes
Cicada is inbred 5x5 to 1904 Doncaster Cup winner Robert le Diable. Her dam Satsuma is a half sister to 1950 American Horse of the Year Hill Prince (by Princequillo), 1958 American champion 2-year-old male First Landing (by Turn-to), 1956 Roamer Handicap winner Third Brother (by Princequillo), and stakes winners Mangohick (by Sun Beau) and Prince Hill (by Princequillo. Satsuma is also a half sister to First Flush (by Flushing II), dam of 1964 Sorority Stakes winner Bold Experience (by Bold Ruler), dam of 1972 Florida Derby and Wood Memorial Stakes winner Upper Case (by Round Table) and stakes winner Ms. Ross (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of 1989 Irish St. Leger (IRE-G1) winner Petite Ile. First Flush is also the dam of stakes winners Virginia Delegate (by Bold Ruler) and Copper Canyon (by Bryan G.); the second dam of 1987 Hopeful Stakes (USA-G1) winner Crusader Sword, 1988 Flamingo Stakes (USA-G1) winner Cherokee Colony and 1995 Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Turk Passer; and the third dam of 1995 Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Silken Cat. Another daughter of First Flush, Bold Matron (by Bold Ruler), is the second dam of four stakes winners including Grade 2 winner Ring of Light.
Satsuma was produced from the blue hen mare Hildene (by Bubbling Over). The 1950 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Hildene is a half sister to stakes winners Silas and Napoleon, both by Crucifixion. She is out of the non-winner Fancy Racket (by Wrack), whose dam Ultimate Fancy (by Ultimus) was likewise undistinguished on the track but is a half sister to Idle Tale (by Superman), dam of multiple stakes winner Idle Dell (by Delhi) and second dam of 1927 Matron Stakes and Pimlico Futurity winner Glade. Another half sister to Ultimate Fancy, Blushes (by Hurst Park) is the second dam of 1928 Champagne Stakes winner Healy and 1931 Jerome Handicap winner Ironclad, while a third half sister, Just Fancy (by Colin), is the dam of stakes winner Our Fancy (by Busy American).
Books and media
Cicada is profiled in Chapter 9 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- Cicada was the world's leading money-winning female Thoroughbred at the time of her retirement.
- Cicada received her name from the XIX Brood of the 13-year cicada, which emerged in huge numbers in the year of her birth.
- Cicada's favorite stable pony, "Pete," was her uncle in human terms as he was sired by Bossuet, also the sire of Cicada's dam Satsuma.
- Cicada became the namesake for a stakes race inaugurated in 1993 at Aqueduct.
Photo credit
Cicada winning the 1961 National Stallion Stakes, Ismael Valenzuela up. Bernard Stanley Morgan photo, June 19, 1961. From the Keeneland Library Morgan Collection; used by permission. Please contact the Keeneland Library with any questions regarding use or licensure of this photo.
Last updated: May 9, 2024