Fourstars Allstar (USA)
April 5, 1988 – February 2005
Compliance (USA) x Broadway Joan (USA), by Bold Arian (USA)
Family 9
April 5, 1988 – February 2005
Compliance (USA) x Broadway Joan (USA), by Bold Arian (USA)
Family 9
Compliance was a nasty-tempered son of Northern Dancer and "Genetic Gem" Sex Appeal whose sole asset was his pedigree. Broadway Joan was a cheap mare with neither pedigree nor race record to recommend her. But what they had when mated was magic, and the lightning struck twice when they came up with Fourstars Allstar. A younger full brother to the beloved “Sultan of Saratoga,” Fourstardave, Fourstars Allstar made some history of his own by becoming the first American-based, American-trained horse to become a Classic winner in a major European nation. After his upset win in the 1991 Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1), Fourstars Allstar raced for four more seasons in North America and became a multiple graded stakes winner on his home turf before retiring to an undistinguished stud career.
Race record
59 starts, 14 wins, 14 seconds, 9 thirds, US$1,596,760
1990:
1991:
1992:
1993:
1994:
1995:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 1990, 10 pounds below champion Fly So Free.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1991, 13 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Rated at 119 pounds on the International Free Handicap for European-raced 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 9 pounds below highweighted Selkirk.
Rated at 109 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1992, 17 pounds below champion Sky Classic.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 11 pounds below highweighted Lure and 10 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Kotashaan.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 12 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A bay horse, Fourstars Allstar was honest and hard-trying and was capable of producing a strong burst of speed. He had a daisy-cutting stride and preferred firm going. In contrast to his cantankerous sire, he was a good-natured animal with a relaxed approach to training and racing. Trainer Leo O’Brien said of him, “You couldn’t ask to be around a nicer horse.”
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by the Jockey Club, Fourstars Allstar sired 78 winners (10.0%) from 780 named foals of racing age. His only stakes winner on the flat was English Group 2 winner Jardines Lookout.
Connections
Foaled in New York, Fourstars Allstar was bred and owned by Richard Bomze, who raced the horse in partnership with Philip Dileo. Fourstars Allstar was trained by Leo O’Brien. He was ridden in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas by Mike Smith. Following his racing career, he was acquired by Coolmore and sent to stud in Ireland, where he was used primarily as a National Hunt sire. He was purchased late in 2004 by Astley Grange Farm Stud, where he was euthanized in February 2005 after becoming fractious while undergoing veterinary treatment and breaking his neck while he was acting up.
Pedigree notes
Fourstars Allstar is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to 1988 Saint Paul Derby (USA-G2) winner Fourstardave, who earned the title of “The Sultan of Saratoga” after winning races at the Spa for eight consecutive seasons. Fourstars Allstar 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).
Fourstars Allstar 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
A video of Fourstars Allstar’s win in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPo2nogThHU.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 10, 2026
Race record
59 starts, 14 wins, 14 seconds, 9 thirds, US$1,596,760
1990:
- Won Pilgrim Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Aqueduct)
- Won Damon Runyon Stakes (USA-R, 8FT, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Laurel Futurity (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Laurel)
1991:
- Won Airlie Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas (IRE-G1, 8FT, The Curragh)
- 2nd Lexington Stakes (USA-G3, 10FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Nureyev Stakes (USA-L, 8.5FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Gallant Man Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Knickerbocker Handicap (USA-G3, 9FT, Aqueduct)
1992:
- Won Elkhorn Stakes (USA-G2, 9FT, Keeneland)
- Won Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Early Times Dixie Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Pimlico)
- 3rd Early Times Turf Classic Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Churchill Downs)
1993:
- Won New Hampshire Sweepstakes Handicap (USA-G3, about 9FT, Rockingham)
- Won Saratoga Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Red Bank Handicap (USA-G3, 8FT, Monmouth)
- 3rd Breeders' Cup Mile (USA-G1, 8FT, Santa Anita)
1994:
- 2nd Caesars International Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FT, Atlantic City)
- 2nd Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Appleton Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd New Hampshire Sweepstakes Handicap (USA-G3, about 9FT, Rockingham)
- 3rd Daryl's Joy Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
1995:
- Won Bernard Baruch Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Saratoga)
- Won Fort Marcy Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Mohawk Handicap (USA-R, 8.5FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Daryl's Joy Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Poker Stakes (USA-G3, 8FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Cliff Hanger Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Monmouth)
Honors
- New York-bred Horse of the Year (1993)
- New York-bred champion 3-year-old male (1991)
- New York-bred champion older male (1992, 1993)
- New York-bred champion turf male (1991-1993, 1995)
Assessments
Rated at 116 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 1990, 10 pounds below champion Fly So Free.
Rated at 113 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1991, 13 pounds below champion Tight Spot.
Rated at 119 pounds on the International Free Handicap for European-raced 3-year-olds over 7-9 furlongs, 9 pounds below highweighted Selkirk.
Rated at 109 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf males of 1992, 17 pounds below champion Sky Classic.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1993, 11 pounds below highweighted Lure and 10 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Kotashaan.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf males of 1994, 12 pounds below champion Paradise Creek.
As an individual
A bay horse, Fourstars Allstar was honest and hard-trying and was capable of producing a strong burst of speed. He had a daisy-cutting stride and preferred firm going. In contrast to his cantankerous sire, he was a good-natured animal with a relaxed approach to training and racing. Trainer Leo O’Brien said of him, “You couldn’t ask to be around a nicer horse.”
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by the Jockey Club, Fourstars Allstar sired 78 winners (10.0%) from 780 named foals of racing age. His only stakes winner on the flat was English Group 2 winner Jardines Lookout.
Connections
Foaled in New York, Fourstars Allstar was bred and owned by Richard Bomze, who raced the horse in partnership with Philip Dileo. Fourstars Allstar was trained by Leo O’Brien. He was ridden in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas by Mike Smith. Following his racing career, he was acquired by Coolmore and sent to stud in Ireland, where he was used primarily as a National Hunt sire. He was purchased late in 2004 by Astley Grange Farm Stud, where he was euthanized in February 2005 after becoming fractious while undergoing veterinary treatment and breaking his neck while he was acting up.
Pedigree notes
Fourstars Allstar is inbred 4x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco, an unbeaten champion on the race course. He is a full brother to 1988 Saint Paul Derby (USA-G2) winner Fourstardave, who earned the title of “The Sultan of Saratoga” after winning races at the Spa for eight consecutive seasons. Fourstars Allstar 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).
Fourstars Allstar 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
A video of Fourstars Allstar’s win in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPo2nogThHU.
Fun facts
- Fourstars Allstar won a good allowance race at Belmont exactly one week before winning the Irish Two Thousand Guineas. His victims included future American champion turf mare Wandesta, multiple Grade 1 winner Solar Splendor, 1989 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (FR-G1) winner Intimiste, and multiple Grade 2 winner Who’s to Pay.
- Fourstars Allstar arrived in Ireland just three days before the big race and was stabled in the yard of Leo O’Brien’s younger brother, Michael O’Brien, near Naas, where Michael trained steeplechasers. Regarding his brother’s opinion of the transatlantic venture, Leo O’ Brien said, “He said he thought I was mad.”
- Following the Guineas, the O’Brien brothers went to Lawlor’s Pub in Naas. On being recognized by other patrons, both men were picked up and body-surfed across the entire pub.
- Leo O’Brien, trainer of Fourstars Allstar, was the father-in-law of National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez.
- During his racing career, Fourstars Allstar got a 10-week vacation every winter at Dr. Leslie Hagan’s Country Road Farm near Ocala, Florida, along with stablemates Fourstardave 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.)
Last updated: September 10, 2026