Comely Nell (USA)
February 8, 1962 – August 1, 1985
Commodore M. (USA) x Nellie L. (USA), by Blenheim II (GB)
Family 9-f
February 8, 1962 – August 1, 1985
Commodore M. (USA) x Nellie L. (USA), by Blenheim II (GB)
Family 9-f
Comely Nell never raced due to an eye injury suffered while she was still a foal, but she made up for the lost opportunity as a broodmare. The dam of dual American Classic winner Bold Forbes, she also produced several daughters who did their part to continue her family.
Race record
Unraced
As an individual
An attractive bay mare with the well-rounded, sturdy build typical of the Bull Lea tribe to which her sire belonged, Comely Nell was roomy with good substance but had less than ideal knees and was sickle-hocked.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Comely Nell produced 13 named foals, of which 12 started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Comely Nell was bred by Calumet Farm. Lee Eaton bought her privately as a yearling, and she became a foundation mare for his Indian Hill Farm (later Eaton Farms). As Eaton was also a partner in Red Bull Stable, Comely Nell's foals were registered as bred by the partnership of Eaton Farms, Inc., and Red Bull Stable. Comely Nell died August 1, 1985, and was buried at Indian Hill Farm.
Pedigree notes
Comely Nell is inbred 4x5 to the fine broodmare Colonial, 4x5 to the good speed sire Ultimus and 5x5 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play, a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. She is a half sister to 1950 Narragansett Special winner De Luxe (by Commodore M.'s sire Bull Lea) and to Sweet Nell (by Bull Lea), dam of multiple stakes winner Procula (by Intent). Comely Nell is also a half sister to Hot Patootie (by Citation), third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Super Fast.
Comely Nell and her siblings were produced from 1943 Kentucky Oaks winner Nellie L., a full sister to Mar-Kell, the American champion handicap female of 1943. Mar-Kell is the dam of the good stakes winners Mark-Ye-Well and Amoret, both by Bull Lea, and is the second dam of 1971 Florida Derby winner Eastern Fleet. Nellie L. is also a half sister to 1954 Top Flight Handicap winner Sunshine Nell (by Sun Again), dam of 1970 Brooklyn Handicap winner and useful sire Dewan (by Bold Ruler) and of multiple stakes winner Sunny (by Princequillo). In addition, Nellie L. is a half sister to stakes producers Ore-the-Lea (by Bull Lea), Peppy Nell (by Sir Gallahad III) and Last Wave (by Bull Lea).
Nellie L. and her siblings, in turn, are out of 1934 American champion 2-year-old filly Nellie Flag (by American Flag), a half sister to multiple stakes winner Count Morse (by Reigh Count). Nellie Flag is out of 1924 Preakness Stakes winner and American co-champion 3-year-old filly Nellie Morse (by Luke McLuke), a half sister to stakes winner Manager Waite (by Watercress).
Last updated: November 8, 2024
Race record
Unraced
As an individual
An attractive bay mare with the well-rounded, sturdy build typical of the Bull Lea tribe to which her sire belonged, Comely Nell was roomy with good substance but had less than ideal knees and was sickle-hocked.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Comely Nell produced 13 named foals, of which 12 started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Tache (1970, by Ambiorix) won 3 of 42 starts. She is the dam of stakes winner High Ascent (by Irish Castle).
- Bold Forbes (1973, by Irish Castle) was the Puerto Rican champion 2-year-old male of 1975 and the American champion 3-year-old male of 1976. The winner of the 1976 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) and Belmont Stakes (USA-G1), he sired 30 stakes winners from 474 named foals including champions Tiffany Lass and Bold Apparel.
- Priceless Fame (1975, by Irish Castle) won twice from six starts. She is the dam of 1982 William Hill Futurity (ENG-G1) winner Dunbeath (by Grey Dawn II) and 1984 Del Mar Futurity (USA-G1) winner Saratoga Six (by Alydar) and is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Lakeway, 2002 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Jilbab, and 2004 Premio Vittorio di Capua (ITY-G1) winner Ancient World. Priceless Fame is also the third dam of 2010 Vosburgh Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Giant Ryan, Grade 3 winner Scotus, and Irish Group 3 winner Yomalo. Her more distant descendants include 2009 Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mushka.
- Nellie Forbes (1977, by Secretariat) won one of her two starts. She is the dam of Group 2-placed Irish stakes winner Ancient Times (by Nijinsky II) and the second dam of English Group 3 winner Midnight Air. She is also the third dam of 2001 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Imperial Beauty, 2009 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Jan Vermeer, 2011 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Together, and Grade 2 winner Midnight Line. In addition, Nellie Forbes is the third dam of Grand Perfect, the champion imported 3-year-old filly of 2012 in the Dominican Republic.
- See You At the Top (1978, by Riva Ridge) won one of eight starts. She is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Life At the Top (by Seattle Slew) and the second dam of French Group 3 winner Elizabeth Bay. She is also the third dam of Grade 2 winner Largent and Grade 3 winner Bayeux. Her more distant descendants include 2011 Spinaway Stakes (USA-G1) winner Grace Hall.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Comely Nell was bred by Calumet Farm. Lee Eaton bought her privately as a yearling, and she became a foundation mare for his Indian Hill Farm (later Eaton Farms). As Eaton was also a partner in Red Bull Stable, Comely Nell's foals were registered as bred by the partnership of Eaton Farms, Inc., and Red Bull Stable. Comely Nell died August 1, 1985, and was buried at Indian Hill Farm.
Pedigree notes
Comely Nell is inbred 4x5 to the fine broodmare Colonial, 4x5 to the good speed sire Ultimus and 5x5 to three-time American champion sire Fair Play, a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. She is a half sister to 1950 Narragansett Special winner De Luxe (by Commodore M.'s sire Bull Lea) and to Sweet Nell (by Bull Lea), dam of multiple stakes winner Procula (by Intent). Comely Nell is also a half sister to Hot Patootie (by Citation), third dam of Japanese Group 3 winner Super Fast.
Comely Nell and her siblings were produced from 1943 Kentucky Oaks winner Nellie L., a full sister to Mar-Kell, the American champion handicap female of 1943. Mar-Kell is the dam of the good stakes winners Mark-Ye-Well and Amoret, both by Bull Lea, and is the second dam of 1971 Florida Derby winner Eastern Fleet. Nellie L. is also a half sister to 1954 Top Flight Handicap winner Sunshine Nell (by Sun Again), dam of 1970 Brooklyn Handicap winner and useful sire Dewan (by Bold Ruler) and of multiple stakes winner Sunny (by Princequillo). In addition, Nellie L. is a half sister to stakes producers Ore-the-Lea (by Bull Lea), Peppy Nell (by Sir Gallahad III) and Last Wave (by Bull Lea).
Nellie L. and her siblings, in turn, are out of 1934 American champion 2-year-old filly Nellie Flag (by American Flag), a half sister to multiple stakes winner Count Morse (by Reigh Count). Nellie Flag is out of 1924 Preakness Stakes winner and American co-champion 3-year-old filly Nellie Morse (by Luke McLuke), a half sister to stakes winner Manager Waite (by Watercress).
Last updated: November 8, 2024