Disguise did his racing in England, where he was known as “Disguise II,” and was not far from the top of his generation there, taking the measure of English Triple Crown winner Diamond Jubilee in the Jockey Club Stakes. He returned to the United States for stud duty and did well as a sire, especially of fillies.
Race record
8 starts, 3 wins, 0 second, 4 thirds
1900:
1901:
As an individual
A bay horse, Disguise was handsome with a deep girth and a long, strong hip. Unfortunately, he had a disposition as sour as he was handsome and had to be coerced to train by “an awful hiding” in the words of trainer Sam Darling. Disguise's stubbornness eventually led to his retirement as a 4-year-old.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967, Disguise sired 15 stakes winners. He was best known for siring speed and precocity but was also a good sire of broodmares. His progeny tended to be big and coarse.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Notable progeny
Court Dress (USA), Helmet (USA), Iron Mask (USA), Maskette (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Inaugural (USA), John P. Grier (USA), Pillory (USA), Questionnaire (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky at Castleton Stud, Disguise was bred and owned by James R. Keene. He was trained by Sam Darling. He initially stood at Castleton Stud. Following Keene's death, Disguise was purchased by James Corrigan and Price McKinley for US$5,300 at the Castleton Stud dispersal and installed at their Wickliffe Stud. When Wickliffe Stud dispersed in 1918, Disguise was again sold, this time for US$4,200 to John Rosseter. He was then transferred to Rosseter's Rancho Wikiup in California, where he died in 1927.
Pedigree notes
Disguise is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to stakes winners Coy Maid (by Kingston; dam of stakes winners Star Maid and Dixie Smith) and Princess Flavia (by Prince Rupert). He is also a half brother to Belgravia (by Ben Brush), dam of the stakes winner and good sire Black Toney (by Peter Pan) and the good juvenile filly Bonnie Mary (by Ultimus; dam of stakes winners Bonnie Omar, Quatrain, and Bonnie Maginn).
Disguise's dam Bonnie Gal was produced from Bonnie Doon (by Rapid Rhone), the last foal of the great 19th-century matron Queen Mary and an influential producer in her own right. Bonnie Doon's other produce included Bella-Donna (by Hermit), whose four stakes winners include the great filly Beldame (by Octagon) and 1907 Preakness Stakes winner Don Enrique (by Hastings), and Wharfedale (by Hermit), whose stakes-winning son Watercress (by Springfield) became a good sire in the United States.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown; photo was part of the estate of Walter Vosburgh. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: September 5, 2023
Race record
8 starts, 3 wins, 0 second, 4 thirds
1900:
- Won Jockey Club Stakes (ENG, 10FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd Derby Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Epsom)
1901:
- 3rd Eclipse Stakes (ENG, 10FT, Sandown)
As an individual
A bay horse, Disguise was handsome with a deep girth and a long, strong hip. Unfortunately, he had a disposition as sour as he was handsome and had to be coerced to train by “an awful hiding” in the words of trainer Sam Darling. Disguise's stubbornness eventually led to his retirement as a 4-year-old.
As a stallion
According to Clio Hogan's Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967, Disguise sired 15 stakes winners. He was best known for siring speed and precocity but was also a good sire of broodmares. His progeny tended to be big and coarse.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1908.
Notable progeny
Court Dress (USA), Helmet (USA), Iron Mask (USA), Maskette (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Inaugural (USA), John P. Grier (USA), Pillory (USA), Questionnaire (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky at Castleton Stud, Disguise was bred and owned by James R. Keene. He was trained by Sam Darling. He initially stood at Castleton Stud. Following Keene's death, Disguise was purchased by James Corrigan and Price McKinley for US$5,300 at the Castleton Stud dispersal and installed at their Wickliffe Stud. When Wickliffe Stud dispersed in 1918, Disguise was again sold, this time for US$4,200 to John Rosseter. He was then transferred to Rosseter's Rancho Wikiup in California, where he died in 1927.
Pedigree notes
Disguise is outcrossed through five generations. He is a half brother to stakes winners Coy Maid (by Kingston; dam of stakes winners Star Maid and Dixie Smith) and Princess Flavia (by Prince Rupert). He is also a half brother to Belgravia (by Ben Brush), dam of the stakes winner and good sire Black Toney (by Peter Pan) and the good juvenile filly Bonnie Mary (by Ultimus; dam of stakes winners Bonnie Omar, Quatrain, and Bonnie Maginn).
Disguise's dam Bonnie Gal was produced from Bonnie Doon (by Rapid Rhone), the last foal of the great 19th-century matron Queen Mary and an influential producer in her own right. Bonnie Doon's other produce included Bella-Donna (by Hermit), whose four stakes winners include the great filly Beldame (by Octagon) and 1907 Preakness Stakes winner Don Enrique (by Hastings), and Wharfedale (by Hermit), whose stakes-winning son Watercress (by Springfield) became a good sire in the United States.
Fun facts
- Disguise takes his name from the definition of “domino” as a loose cloak paired with a mask for the upper part of the face, typically worn for a masquerade. “Domino” also sometimes refers to the mask by itself.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown; photo was part of the estate of Walter Vosburgh. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: September 5, 2023