Fourstardave (USA)
April 2, 1985 – October 14, 2002
Compliance (USA) x Broadway Joan (USA), by Bold Arian (USA)
Family 9
April 2, 1985 – October 14, 2002
Compliance (USA) x Broadway Joan (USA), by Bold Arian (USA)
Family 9
Fourstardave was not a great horse by any objective standard, and as a gelding, he had no opportunity to make a name through descendants. But few horses have ever connected with racing fans as he did, and he won his place in their hearts through determination and persistence as well as a solid level of talent. “Dave” reigned as the beloved “Sultan of Saratoga” for eight consecutive years, winning at least one race at the old Spa each year. When he died, he was given the honor of burial at Saratoga’s Clare Court, sharing his final resting place with the Grade 1-winning turf runner Mourjane and the brilliant but luckless sprinter A Phenomenon. (His contemporary Quick Call, a two-time Forego Handicap, USA-G2, winner who had a remarkable career as part of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s “Second Chances” program, joined him there in 2021.) A further honor testifies to the place “Dave” holds in Saratoga history: although never a Grade 1 winner himself, he is now the namesake for the Fourstardave Stakes (USA-G1).
Race record
100 starts, 21 wins, 18 seconds, 16 thirds, US$1,636,737
1987:
1988:
1989:
1990:
1991:
1992:
1993:
1994:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1988, 14 pounds below champion Risen Star.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1989, 13 pounds below champion Steinlen.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1990, 11 pounds below highweighted In the Wings and 7 pounds below the official divisional champion, Itsallgreektome.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1991, 13 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 16 pounds below highweighted Lure and 15 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Kotashaan.
Rated at 106 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 21 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A chestnut gelding, Fourstardave was high-strung, hyper, and fretful, requiring plenty of patience and understanding, but he gave everything he had to give every time. A highly intelligent horse, he loved attention and was a ham for the camera. He did not thrive in cold weather and had a much poorer record in the winter, early spring, and late fall than he did in the summer. His Saratoga streak came to an end after he fractured an ankle while running third behind American turf champion male Paradise Creek and two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Lure in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2); although he returned to racing the following year, he was clearly not the same and was retired after failing to win or place at his favorite course.
Connections
Foaled in New York, Fourstardave was bred and owned by Richard Bomze and Richard Connaughton and was trained by Leo O’Brien. In retirement, he lived at Tony Everard’s Another Episode Farm, where Everard rode him every day when the gelding was not otherwise engaged. After coming to New York in October 2002 for the purpose of leading a parade of prominent New York-breds on New York Showcase Day, “Dave” died of an apparent heart attack at Belmont Park on October 14, 2002, while getting some light exercise.
Pedigree notes
Fourstardave is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to 1991 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Fourstars Allstar, the first American-trained horse to win a Classic race in a major European racing country. Fourstardave is also a full brother to Diane Suzanne, dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Mystic Lady (by Thunder Gulch) and listed stakes winner Ethyl Mae (by Woodman). In addition, he is a half brother to Irish hurdle stakes winner Pittsburgh Phil (by Sadler’s Wells) and to Chauncy Lane (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of 2006 York Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Best Alibi (by King’s Best).
Fourstardave and his siblings were produced from unraced Broadway Joan, whose sire, Bold Arian, was a restricted stakes winner who begot nothing else of significance. Broadway Joan’s dam, Courtneys Doll, was equally undistinguished, winning five minor races from 52 starts. She was sired by Wakefield Tower, a son of Nashua who managed one placing from two starts.
Courtneys Doll, in turn, was produced from Rapport, a winning daughter of 1945 French champion 2-year-old male Nirgal and a half sister to Golden Beach (by Djeddah), dam of juvenile stakes winners William Edward and Bee Golden Girl (both by Better Bee) and second dam of 1991 Spanish Horse of the Year and Italian Group 1 winner Petit Loup, 1984 Canadian champion grass horse Bounding Away, and the multiple stakes winner and good sire Clever Trick. Rapport and Golden Beach were produced from the winner Wise Ally (by 1923 American co-champion juvenile male Wise Counsellor).
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s video tribute to Fourstardave can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI3rPkbovYw.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 10, 2026
Race record
100 starts, 21 wins, 18 seconds, 16 thirds, US$1,636,737
1987:
- Won Empire Stakes (USA-R, 6FD, Saratoga)
- Won Aspirant Stakes (USA-R, 6FD, Finger Lakes)
- 2nd New York Breeders' Futurity (USA-R, 6FD, Finger Lakes)
- 2nd New York Stallion Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (USA-R, 6FD, Belmont)
- 2nd, New York Stallion Stakes (USA-R, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd, New York Stallion Bonus Stakes (USA-R, 8.5FD, Aqueduct)
1988:
- Won Saint Paul Derby (USA-G2, 9FD, Canterbury Downs)
- Won Albany Stakes (USA-R, 9FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd New York Derby (USA-R, 9FD, Finger Lakes)
- 3rd Montauk Stakes (USA-R, 8.5FD, Aqueduct)
- 3rd Laurel Dash Stakes (USA-L, 6FT, Laurel)
- 3rd Joe Palmer Stakes(USA-R, 6FD, Aqueduct)
- Also finished second in the Gallant Man Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Saratoga) but was disqualified to fourth.
1989:
- Won Poker Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
- Won West Point Handicap (USA-R, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Fort Marcy Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Aqueduct)
- 3nd Jaipur Stakes (USA-G3, 7FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Daryl's Joy Stakes (second division) (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
1990:
- Won Daryl's Joy Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
- Won Jaipur Stakes (USA-L, 7FT, Belmont)
- 2nd West Point Handicap (USA-R, 9FT, Saratoga)
1991:
- Won Daryl's Joy Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga; new course record 1:38.91)
- Won West Point Handicap (USA-R, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Kelso Handicap (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Jaipur Stakes (USA-L, 7FT, Belmont)
1992:
- Won Manila Stakes (USA, 8.5FT, The Meadowlands)
- 2nd Jaipur Stakes (USA-G3, 7FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Ashley T. Cole Handicap (USA-R, 9FT, Aqueduct)
1993:
- Won Poker Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
- Won Neshaminy Handicap (USA, about 9FT, Philadelphia Park)
- 2nd Daryl's Joy Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Jaipur Stakes (USA-G3, 7FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Melreese Stakes(USA-L, 7.5FT, Calder)
- Also finished first in the West Point Handicap (USA-R, 9FT, Saratoga) but was disqualified to fifth
1994:
- 2nd Poker Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Kingston Handicap (USA-R, 8.5FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Red Bank Handicap (USA-G3, 8FT, Monmouth)
Honors
- New York-bred Horse of the Year (1991)
- New York-bred champion older male (1991)
Assessments
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1988, 14 pounds below champion Risen Star.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1989, 13 pounds below champion Steinlen.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1990, 11 pounds below highweighted In the Wings and 7 pounds below the official divisional champion, Itsallgreektome.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1991, 13 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 16 pounds below highweighted Lure and 15 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Kotashaan.
Rated at 106 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 21 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A chestnut gelding, Fourstardave was high-strung, hyper, and fretful, requiring plenty of patience and understanding, but he gave everything he had to give every time. A highly intelligent horse, he loved attention and was a ham for the camera. He did not thrive in cold weather and had a much poorer record in the winter, early spring, and late fall than he did in the summer. His Saratoga streak came to an end after he fractured an ankle while running third behind American turf champion male Paradise Creek and two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Lure in the Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2); although he returned to racing the following year, he was clearly not the same and was retired after failing to win or place at his favorite course.
Connections
Foaled in New York, Fourstardave was bred and owned by Richard Bomze and Richard Connaughton and was trained by Leo O’Brien. In retirement, he lived at Tony Everard’s Another Episode Farm, where Everard rode him every day when the gelding was not otherwise engaged. After coming to New York in October 2002 for the purpose of leading a parade of prominent New York-breds on New York Showcase Day, “Dave” died of an apparent heart attack at Belmont Park on October 14, 2002, while getting some light exercise.
Pedigree notes
Fourstardave is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to 1991 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1) winner Fourstars Allstar, the first American-trained horse to win a Classic race in a major European racing country. Fourstardave is also a full brother to Diane Suzanne, dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Mystic Lady (by Thunder Gulch) and listed stakes winner Ethyl Mae (by Woodman). In addition, he is a half brother to Irish hurdle stakes winner Pittsburgh Phil (by Sadler’s Wells) and to Chauncy Lane (by Sadler’s Wells), dam of 2006 York Stakes (ENG-G2) winner Best Alibi (by King’s Best).
Fourstardave and his siblings were produced from unraced Broadway Joan, whose sire, Bold Arian, was a restricted stakes winner who begot nothing else of significance. Broadway Joan’s dam, Courtneys Doll, was equally undistinguished, winning five minor races from 52 starts. She was sired by Wakefield Tower, a son of Nashua who managed one placing from two starts.
Courtneys Doll, in turn, was produced from Rapport, a winning daughter of 1945 French champion 2-year-old male Nirgal and a half sister to Golden Beach (by Djeddah), dam of juvenile stakes winners William Edward and Bee Golden Girl (both by Better Bee) and second dam of 1991 Spanish Horse of the Year and Italian Group 1 winner Petit Loup, 1984 Canadian champion grass horse Bounding Away, and the multiple stakes winner and good sire Clever Trick. Rapport and Golden Beach were produced from the winner Wise Ally (by 1923 American co-champion juvenile male Wise Counsellor).
Books and media
The New York Racing Association’s video tribute to Fourstardave can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI3rPkbovYw.
Fun facts
- Fourstardave verged on being claustrophobic in his stable until trainer Leo O’Brien cut a window into a side wall so that the horse could see his younger brother, Fourstars Allstar, who was stabled next to him. The trainer also put the two horses’ feed tubs near the window so that they could eat side by side.
- Following his retirement, Fourstardave was led to Siro’s Restaurant in Saratoga Springs, where he was presented with an edible key to the city. The lane leading to the restaurant’s back parking lot was named “Fourstardave Way” in his honor.
- From 1996 until 2002, Bomze had Fourstardave brought to Saratoga annually for a “vacation” that the animal seemed to enjoy. As part of each trip, Bomze would walk the gelding over to the Canfield Casino, where an annual “Fourstardave Party” was held as a fundraiser for the Belmont Child Care Association, an organization providing child care for backstretch workers.
- In 1997, Fourstardave ran in the High Hope Steeplechase (an amateur event for charity) at the Kentucky Horse Park, finishing second. This race was not counted in his official totals.
- The New York Turf Writers Association presents an annual “Fourstardave Award” for special achievement at Saratoga.
- During his racing career, Fourstardave got a 10-week vacation every winter at Dr. Leslie Hagan’s Country Road Farm near Ocala, Florida, along with stablemates Fourstars Allstar and Irish Linnet. (The last-named mare, another Saratoga favorite, won five consecutive editions of the Yaddo Stakes/Handicap in 1991-1995 as well as capturing three graded stakes at Belmont during her career.)
- The Daryl’s Joy Stakes was renamed in Fourstardave’s honor in 1995. A Grade 3 race during his own racing career, it became a Grade 2 race in 2000 and was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2016.
- The Fourstardave Sports Bar is a hospitality area located on Saratoga’s lower Carousel. It was named following a 2015 poll of racing fans who selected “Dave” from a group of five notable Thoroughbreds who raced at Saratoga. (The others were Easy Goer, Kelso, Man o’ War, and Sky Beauty.)
Last updated: September 10, 2026