Gorgeous (USA)
March 29, 1986 – October 4, 2002
Slew o’ Gold (USA) x Kamar (CAN), by Key to the Mint (USA)
Family 14-c
March 29, 1986 – October 4, 2002
Slew o’ Gold (USA) x Kamar (CAN), by Key to the Mint (USA)
Family 14-c
Gorgeous showed very close to championship form as a 3-year-old of 1989, tying Eclipse Award winner Open Mind for the top ranking on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies. She was a Grade 1 winner again as a 4-year-old and was rated second only to two-time American champion older female Bayakoa among the American older females of 1990. She was not a particularly successful broodmare during her own producing career considering her high racing class and the opportunities she received, but her daughters have proven to be good broodmares.
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$1,171,370
1989:
1990:
Assessments
Co-highweighted with official divisional champion Open Mind at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1989, 3 pounds above third-rated Imaginary Lady.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older females of 1990, 3 pounds below champion Bayakoa but second in the division.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare, Gorgeous was racy-looking with a deep girth and excellent leverage from hip to hock. She had a neat, collected stride. She preferred to come from off the pace.
As a producer
Gorgeous produced 11 named foals, of which 10 started and seven won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Gorgeous was bred by Hermitage Farm, A. G. Clay, and Robert N. Clay. She was owned by Robert Clay throughout her racing career and was a broodmare for his Three Chimneys Farm. She was trained by Neil Drysdale and was regularly ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye. She died as the result of a paddock accident in October 2002 and was buried in the stallion cemetery alongside her sire, Slew o’ Gold.
Pedigree notes
Gorgeous is inbred 4x5 to two-time American champion sire and eight-time American champion broodmare sire Princequillo, winner of the 1943 Jockey Club Gold Cup. She is also inbred 5x5 to 1937 American Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year War Admiral, the American champion sire of 1945. She is a half sister to 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old male Key to the Moon (by Wajima) and to 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), dam of 1995 American champion 2-year-old filly Golden Attraction (by Mr. Prospector), 1998 Florida Derby (USA-G1) winner Cape Town (by Seeking the Gold), 1994 Hillsdown Cherry Hinton Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Red Carnival (by Mr. Prospector), and 1999 San Miguel Stakes (USA-G3) winner Cape Canaveral (by Mr. Prospector) and the second dam of 2006 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Desert Lord, 2005 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Funfair and multiple Group 3 winner Carnival Dancer. Gorgeous is also a half sister to 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), dam of listed stakes winners Munnaya (by Nijinsky II), Sheer Reason (by Danzig), and Mall Queen (by Sheikh Albadou) and the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Alpha. In addition, Gorgeous is a half sister to Jood (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2001 European Horse of the Year Fantastic Light (by Rahy) and listed stakes winner Hi Dubai (by Rahy), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Tarquin, and third dam of 2025 Argentine champion 2-year-old male Drive Joy and 2013 B.T.C. Cup Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Your Song. Finally, Gorgeous is a half sister to Wilayif (by Danzig), dam of 1999 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner Morning Pride (by Machiavellian) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Flashing, and to Forlis Key, dam of stakes winner Clever Return (by Clever Trick) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Mint Lane.
Gorgeous and her siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar, whose full sister, 1986 Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Smitten, is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Swain (by Nashwan), French Group 3 winner Thief of Hearts (by In the Wings), and multiple French listed stakes winner Water Poet (by Sadler's Wells) and the second dam of Grade 3 winner Trafalger. Kamar is also a half sister to 1983 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (USA-G3) winner Stellarette (by Tentam), the dam of 1990 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Cuddles (by Mr. Prospector); the second dam of 1998 Gazelle Handicap (USA-G1) winner Tap to Music and Grade 2 winners Northern Afleet, Katz Me If You Can, and Buffythecenterfold; and the third dam of multiple French Group 2 winner Rajsaman, of Canadian Grade 2 winner Bear's Kid, of Grade 3 winner Cause to Believe, and of Bamboleo, the champion imported sprinter of 2008 in the Dominican Republic. In addition, Kamar is a half sister to listed stakes winner Dancing on a Cloud (by Nijinsky II), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Antitrust (by Affirmed) and third dam of Grade 3 winners Rich in Spirit, City of Weston, and Shadowless.
Kamar and her siblings were produced from 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Square Angel (by Quadrangle). Produced from the stakes-winning Nearctic mare Nangela, Square Angel is a full sister to Happy Vixen, dam of Grade 3 winner Minutes Away (by Just the Time). She is also a half sister to Dancing Angela (by Dancer's Image), dam of Grade 3 winner Bejilla (by Quadrangle) and stakes winners Le Danseur (by Lord Durham) and Regal Angela (by Regal Intention) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Blue Daisy. In addition, Square Angel is a half sister to Miss Nanith (by Victoria Park), second dam of seven stakes winners including Grade 3 winners Scottish Monk and Wire Me Collect.
Books and media
A video of Gorgeous winning the 1989 Hollywood Oaks can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8XcKUDz0E.
Last updated: August 5, 2026
Race record
14 starts, 8 wins, 4 seconds, 1 third, US$1,171,370
1989:
- Won Ashland Stakes (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Keeneland)
- Won Hollywood Oaks (USA-G1, 9FD, Hollywood)
- Won Santa Ysabel Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Bourbonette Stakes (USA, 8FD, Turfway Park)
- 2nd Breeders' Cup Distaff (USA-G1, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
1990:
- Won Vanity Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Hollywood)
- Won La Canada Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Oaklawn Park)
- 2nd Santa Margarita Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Spinster Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Keeneland)
Assessments
Co-highweighted with official divisional champion Open Mind at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1989, 3 pounds above third-rated Imaginary Lady.
Rated at 127 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older females of 1990, 3 pounds below champion Bayakoa but second in the division.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare, Gorgeous was racy-looking with a deep girth and excellent leverage from hip to hock. She had a neat, collected stride. She preferred to come from off the pace.
As a producer
Gorgeous produced 11 named foals, of which 10 started and seven won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Dreamboat (1992, by Mr. Prospector) won one of her three starts. She is the dam of 2010 Falmouth Stakes (USA-G1) winner Music Show (by Noverre).
- Glamorous (1993, by Danzig) ran second in her only start. She is the second dam of Argentine Group 2 winner Galan de Cine and the third dam of Argentine Group 2 winner El Gazpacho.
- Fabulous (1995, by Seeking the Gold) was unplaced in her only start. She is the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Turbulent Descent and, through her, the third dam of Irish Group 3 winner Spanish Steps.
- Glasgow’s Gold (1996, by Seeking the Gold) won one of her three starts. She is the dam of 2009 Ruffian Stakes (USA-G1) winner Swift Temper (by Giant’s Causeway) and German listed stakes winner Crosiere (by Capote). She is the second dam of 2023 Spanish champion 2-year-old colt Souvenir d’Ecajeul and of Italian Group 3 winner Masham Star.
- Stunning (1998, by Nureyev) won the listed Prix Imprudence in France as a 3-year-old and was Group 2-placed as a juvenile. She is the second dam of Grade 3 winner Aussie Girl.
- Attagal (1999, by Atticus) won one of her six starts. She is the dam of 2016 Venezuelan champion older female La Alpujarra (by Pioneerof the Nile).
- Eximius (2001, by Atticus) ran third in the listed Prix Tantieme in France as a 4-year-old. She is the dam of 2013 Honeymoon Stakes (USA-G2) winner Sarach (by Arch) and 2017 Appleton Stakes (USA-G3) winner All Included (by Include). She is also the second dam of 2024 Belgian Horse of the Year Naughty Ana.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Gorgeous was bred by Hermitage Farm, A. G. Clay, and Robert N. Clay. She was owned by Robert Clay throughout her racing career and was a broodmare for his Three Chimneys Farm. She was trained by Neil Drysdale and was regularly ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye. She died as the result of a paddock accident in October 2002 and was buried in the stallion cemetery alongside her sire, Slew o’ Gold.
Pedigree notes
Gorgeous is inbred 4x5 to two-time American champion sire and eight-time American champion broodmare sire Princequillo, winner of the 1943 Jockey Club Gold Cup. She is also inbred 5x5 to 1937 American Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year War Admiral, the American champion sire of 1945. She is a half sister to 1984 Canadian champion 3-year-old male Key to the Moon (by Wajima) and to 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), dam of 1995 American champion 2-year-old filly Golden Attraction (by Mr. Prospector), 1998 Florida Derby (USA-G1) winner Cape Town (by Seeking the Gold), 1994 Hillsdown Cherry Hinton Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Red Carnival (by Mr. Prospector), and 1999 San Miguel Stakes (USA-G3) winner Cape Canaveral (by Mr. Prospector) and the second dam of 2006 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (FR-G1) winner Desert Lord, 2005 Kelso Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2) winner Funfair and multiple Group 3 winner Carnival Dancer. Gorgeous is also a half sister to 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), dam of listed stakes winners Munnaya (by Nijinsky II), Sheer Reason (by Danzig), and Mall Queen (by Sheikh Albadou) and the second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Alpha. In addition, Gorgeous is a half sister to Jood (by Nijinsky II), dam of 2001 European Horse of the Year Fantastic Light (by Rahy) and listed stakes winner Hi Dubai (by Rahy), second dam of Australian Group 2 winner Tarquin, and third dam of 2025 Argentine champion 2-year-old male Drive Joy and 2013 B.T.C. Cup Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Your Song. Finally, Gorgeous is a half sister to Wilayif (by Danzig), dam of 1999 Prix du Bois (FR-G3) winner Morning Pride (by Machiavellian) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Flashing, and to Forlis Key, dam of stakes winner Clever Return (by Clever Trick) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Mint Lane.
Gorgeous and her siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar, whose full sister, 1986 Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Smitten, is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Swain (by Nashwan), French Group 3 winner Thief of Hearts (by In the Wings), and multiple French listed stakes winner Water Poet (by Sadler's Wells) and the second dam of Grade 3 winner Trafalger. Kamar is also a half sister to 1983 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (USA-G3) winner Stellarette (by Tentam), the dam of 1990 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Cuddles (by Mr. Prospector); the second dam of 1998 Gazelle Handicap (USA-G1) winner Tap to Music and Grade 2 winners Northern Afleet, Katz Me If You Can, and Buffythecenterfold; and the third dam of multiple French Group 2 winner Rajsaman, of Canadian Grade 2 winner Bear's Kid, of Grade 3 winner Cause to Believe, and of Bamboleo, the champion imported sprinter of 2008 in the Dominican Republic. In addition, Kamar is a half sister to listed stakes winner Dancing on a Cloud (by Nijinsky II), dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Antitrust (by Affirmed) and third dam of Grade 3 winners Rich in Spirit, City of Weston, and Shadowless.
Kamar and her siblings were produced from 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Square Angel (by Quadrangle). Produced from the stakes-winning Nearctic mare Nangela, Square Angel is a full sister to Happy Vixen, dam of Grade 3 winner Minutes Away (by Just the Time). She is also a half sister to Dancing Angela (by Dancer's Image), dam of Grade 3 winner Bejilla (by Quadrangle) and stakes winners Le Danseur (by Lord Durham) and Regal Angela (by Regal Intention) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Blue Daisy. In addition, Square Angel is a half sister to Miss Nanith (by Victoria Park), second dam of seven stakes winners including Grade 3 winners Scottish Monk and Wire Me Collect.
Books and media
A video of Gorgeous winning the 1989 Hollywood Oaks can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ8XcKUDz0E.
Last updated: August 5, 2026