Dahlia (USA)
March 25, 1970 – April 6, 2001
Vaguely Noble (IRE) x Charming Alibi (USA), by Honeys Alibi (USA)
Family 13-c
March 25, 1970 – April 6, 2001
Vaguely Noble (IRE) x Charming Alibi (USA), by Honeys Alibi (USA)
Family 13-c
One of the earliest transatlantic superstars, Dahlia retired having earned championship titles in both Europe and America. While she was never able to defeat her nemesis Allez France, at her best she was all but invincible on good to firm going. She won Group or Grade 1 events in four different countries, and Sports Illustrated and the National Museum of Racing both credit her with being the first female Thoroughbred to reach US$1 million in earnings. She was equally brilliant as a broodmare, and while she was never accorded Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors, she has had more wide-ranging influence than many mares who were so honored.
Race record
48 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 7 thirds, US$1,543,139 (including converted foreign earnings)
1972:
1973:
1974:
1975:
1976:
Honors
Assessments
Dahlia was rated #50 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 fifth among the 26 fillies and mares on the list.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1973, 5 pounds above second-rated Minstrel Miss.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1974, 6 pounds above second-rated Tallahto.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners aged 3 and up, 4 pounds above second-rated Big Spruce.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1975, 5 pounds below highweighted Gay Style.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners aged 3 and up, 6 pounds below highweighted Snow Knight.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1976, 2 pounds below highweighted Tizna.
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 135 pounds.
As an individual
A refined, lightly built, feminine chestnut mare, Dahlia had a tough constitution but possessed a charming disposition. She had a brilliant turn of foot and was at her best on firmer going.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Dahlia produced 13 named foals, of which 11 started and eight were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Dahlia was bred and owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt. She was trained by Maurice Zilber at ages 2 through 5 and at 6 by Charlie Whittingham. She was sold to Allen Paulsen for US$1.1 million at the dispersal of Hunt's bloodstock in 1988. She was pensioned from broodmare duty in 1996 and died in 2001 at Diamond A Farm (formerly Brookside Farm) in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Dahlia is inbred 4x5x4 to Hyperion. She is a full sister to stakes winner Captain General and to Very Charming, dam of listed stakes winners Theatrical Charmer and Mohaajir (both by Sadler's Wells) and third dam of French Group 2 winner Dananeyev and French Group 3 winner Charming Groom. Dahlia is also a half sister to Wedding (by Noholme II), second dam of 1996 Hungarian champion handicap mare and champion imported handicap mare Widowski, French Group 2 winner Diamond White, and Grade 3 winner Blending Element and third dam of 2013 Hungarian Horse of the Year Seperate Opinion, Grade 2 winner Texas Ryano, and Grade 3 winner Tiz Elemental. In addition, Dahlia is a half sister to Golden Alibi (by Empery), dam of French listed stakes winner Dockage (by Riverman), second dam of English Group 3 winner Wharf, and third dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Rail Link, 2005 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (FR-G1) winner Linda's Lad, French Group 2 winner Crossharbour, and French Group 3 winners Chelsea Manor, Mainsail, and Vizir Bere. Finally, Dahlia is a half sister to Excellent Alibi (by Exceller), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Witness Box (by Lyphard) and third dam of 2018 Scandinavian Horse of the Year Our Last Summer, 2012 Czech champion 3-year-old male Kadyny, and Irish Group 3 winner Peace Envoy.
Dahlia and her siblings are out of multiple stakes winner Charming Alibi (by 1955 Chicagoan Stakes winner Honeys Alibi, by Alibhai out of the top race mare Honeymoon), a half sister to stakes winner Tecolotito (by Khaled) and to Compton Lady (by King's Abbey), dam of 1962 Honeymoon Stakes winner Refanute (by Bit of Ireland), second dam of 1971 Oak Leaf Stakes winner Sporting Lass, and third dam of Grade 3 winner High Pheasant. Charming Alibi is also a half sister to Adorable Shield (by Cover Up), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Windsor Belle (by Windsor Ruler).
Charming Alibi, in turn, is out of the Argentine import Adorada II (by two-time Prix d'Ispahan winner Hierocles), whose half sister Escorpina (by British Empire) is the second dam of 1985 Gran Premio Nacional (Uruguayan Derby, URU-G1) winner Snow Empire. Adorada II's dam Gilded Wave (by Gallant Fox) is out of Ondulation (by Sweeper II), a French-bred daughter of the great foundation mare Frizette.
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: November 27, 2024
Race record
48 starts, 15 wins, 3 seconds, 7 thirds, US$1,543,139 (including converted foreign earnings)
1972:
- Won Prix Yacowlef (FR, 1000mT, Deauville)
- 2nd Prix des Reservoirs (FR, 1600mT, Longchamp)
1973:
- Won Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- Won Irish Oaks (IRE-G1, 12FT, The Curragh)
- Won King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Ascot)
- Won Washington, D.C., International (USA-G1, 12FT, Laurel)
- Won Prix de la Grotte (FR-G3, 1600mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Niel (FR-G3, 2200mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (FR-G1, 2100mT, Chantilly)
- 3rd Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (FR-G1, 1600mT, Longchamp)
1974:
- Won Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (FR-G1, 2500mT, Saint-Cloud)
- Won King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Ascot)
- Won Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (ENG-G1, 10.5FT, York)
- Won Man o' War Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- Won Canadian International (CAN-G2, 13FT, Woodbine; new course record 2:40)
- 3rd Coronation Cup (ENG-G1, 12FT, Epsom)
- 3rd Washington, D.C., International (USA-G1, 12FT, Laurel)
- 3rd Prix du Prince d'Orange (FR-G3, 2000mT, Longchamp)
1975:
- Won Benson & Hedges Gold Cup (ENG-G1, 10.5FT, York)
- 2nd Grand Prix de Deauville (FR-G2, 2700mT, Deauville; moved up from third by disqualification)
- 3rd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Ascot)
- 3rd, Prix du Prince d'Orange (FR-G3, 2000mT, Longchamp)
1976:
- Won Hollywood Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- 3rd Century Handicap (USA-G1, 11FT, Hollywood)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1981)
- Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2016)
- English Horse of the Year (1973, 1974)
- English champion 3-year-old filly (1973)
- Irish champion 3-year-old filly (1973)
- English champion older female (1974, 1975)
- Eclipse Award, American champion turf horse (1974)
Assessments
Dahlia was rated #50 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 fifth among the 26 fillies and mares on the list.
Highweighted at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1973, 5 pounds above second-rated Minstrel Miss.
Highweighted at 128 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1974, 6 pounds above second-rated Tallahto.
Highweighted at 130 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners aged 3 and up, 4 pounds above second-rated Big Spruce.
Rated at 121 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1975, 5 pounds below highweighted Gay Style.
Rated at 120 pounds on the Canadian Free Handicap for turf runners aged 3 and up, 6 pounds below highweighted Snow Knight.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf females of 1976, 2 pounds below highweighted Tizna.
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 135 pounds.
As an individual
A refined, lightly built, feminine chestnut mare, Dahlia had a tough constitution but possessed a charming disposition. She had a brilliant turn of foot and was at her best on firmer going.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Dahlia produced 13 named foals, of which 11 started and eight were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
- Dahar (1981, by Lyphard) won four Grade/Group 1 events in 1984-1986. A ridgling, he sired at least 24 stakes winners in a globe-trotting stud career that included stints in Kentucky, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.
- Rivlia (1982, by Riverman) was another slow-developing, staying turf horse but won three Grade 1 races in 1987-1988. He was exported to Japan at the end of his racing career and died in 1993 after an unsuccessful stud career.
- Delegant (1984, by Grey Dawn II) won the 1990 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1). He stood one season in California before being exported to Spain in 1992.
- Dahlia's Image (1985, by Lyphard) was stakes-placed in France. She is the second dam of 2010 Ascot Gold Cup (ENG-G1) winner Rite of Passage and the third dam of English Group 3 winner Steel of Madrid.
- Wajd (1987, by Northern Dancer) won the 1991 Grand Prix d'Evry (FR-G2) and placed in three Group 1 races. She is the dam of 1998 Pertemps St. Leger Stakes (ENG-G1) Nedawi (by Rainbow Quest), English Group 3 winner Wall Street (by Mr. Prospector) and Grade 1-placed German Group 3 winner Fitful Skies (by Dubawi). She is the second dam of French Group 2 winner Nocturnal Fox. She is also the third dam of 2008 International Stakes (NZ-G1) winner Mission Critical and Group 1-placed Australian Group 2 winner Brilliant Light.
- Dahlia's Dreamer (1989, by Theatrical) won the 1994 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G2). She is the dam of the stakes-winning steeplechaser Racey Dreamer (by A.P. Indy).
- Llandaff (1990, by Lyphard) won the 1993 Jersey Derby (USA-G2) and Lexington Stakes (USA-G3). He was exported to Switzerland in 1995, where he became a champion sire. He later stood in Poland and the Czech Republic.
- Miss Dahlia (1994, by Strawberry Road) is the dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 2 winner Capital Plan (by Rock Hard Ten) and the second dam of multiple Brazilian Group 2 winner Perfectly Associat.
- Tani (1996, by Theatrical) is the dam of multiple Peruvian stakes winner Sky Embassy (by Action This Day).
Connections
Dahlia was bred and owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt. She was trained by Maurice Zilber at ages 2 through 5 and at 6 by Charlie Whittingham. She was sold to Allen Paulsen for US$1.1 million at the dispersal of Hunt's bloodstock in 1988. She was pensioned from broodmare duty in 1996 and died in 2001 at Diamond A Farm (formerly Brookside Farm) in Kentucky.
Pedigree notes
Dahlia is inbred 4x5x4 to Hyperion. She is a full sister to stakes winner Captain General and to Very Charming, dam of listed stakes winners Theatrical Charmer and Mohaajir (both by Sadler's Wells) and third dam of French Group 2 winner Dananeyev and French Group 3 winner Charming Groom. Dahlia is also a half sister to Wedding (by Noholme II), second dam of 1996 Hungarian champion handicap mare and champion imported handicap mare Widowski, French Group 2 winner Diamond White, and Grade 3 winner Blending Element and third dam of 2013 Hungarian Horse of the Year Seperate Opinion, Grade 2 winner Texas Ryano, and Grade 3 winner Tiz Elemental. In addition, Dahlia is a half sister to Golden Alibi (by Empery), dam of French listed stakes winner Dockage (by Riverman), second dam of English Group 3 winner Wharf, and third dam of multiple French Group 1 winner Rail Link, 2005 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (FR-G1) winner Linda's Lad, French Group 2 winner Crossharbour, and French Group 3 winners Chelsea Manor, Mainsail, and Vizir Bere. Finally, Dahlia is a half sister to Excellent Alibi (by Exceller), dam of Irish Group 3 winner Witness Box (by Lyphard) and third dam of 2018 Scandinavian Horse of the Year Our Last Summer, 2012 Czech champion 3-year-old male Kadyny, and Irish Group 3 winner Peace Envoy.
Dahlia and her siblings are out of multiple stakes winner Charming Alibi (by 1955 Chicagoan Stakes winner Honeys Alibi, by Alibhai out of the top race mare Honeymoon), a half sister to stakes winner Tecolotito (by Khaled) and to Compton Lady (by King's Abbey), dam of 1962 Honeymoon Stakes winner Refanute (by Bit of Ireland), second dam of 1971 Oak Leaf Stakes winner Sporting Lass, and third dam of Grade 3 winner High Pheasant. Charming Alibi is also a half sister to Adorable Shield (by Cover Up), dam of multiple juvenile stakes winner Windsor Belle (by Windsor Ruler).
Charming Alibi, in turn, is out of the Argentine import Adorada II (by two-time Prix d'Ispahan winner Hierocles), whose half sister Escorpina (by British Empire) is the second dam of 1985 Gran Premio Nacional (Uruguayan Derby, URU-G1) winner Snow Empire. Adorada II's dam Gilded Wave (by Gallant Fox) is out of Ondulation (by Sweeper II), a French-bred daughter of the great foundation mare Frizette.
Books and media
- A video tribute to Dahlia can be accessed through her page at the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame (https://www.canadianhorseracinghalloffame.com/2016/05/14/dahlia/).
- Dahlia is one of the older Thoroughbreds profiled in photographs and essays in Barbara Livingston's Old Friends: Visits With My Favorite Thoroughbreds (2002, The Blood-Horse, Inc.).
Fun facts
- Dahlia was the first filly or mare to win the Washington, D. C., International (USA-G1) and was the first horse to win Grade/Group 1 stakes in five different countries (Canada, England, France, Ireland, and the United States).
- Dahlia's international heroics were ranked #77 in Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006.
- Dahlia has had several races named in her honor:
- The Prix Dahlia at Saint-Cloud is a French listed stakes over 2000 meters (about 1¼ miles) for fillies and mares aged 3 and up.
- The Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park was inaugurated in 1982. It was last run in 2008 as a Grade 2 turf race over 8.5 furlongs for fillies and mares aged 3 and up.
- The Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket was inaugurated in 1997. It is currently a Group 2 race over 9 furlongs for fillies and mares aged 4 and up.
- The Dahlia Stakes at Pimlico is a listed race over 1 mile on turf for fillies and mares aged 3 and up.
- The Dahlia Stakes at Laurel Park is a race for fillies and mares aged 3 and up. As of 2020, it is carded at a mile on turf.
Last updated: November 27, 2024