Graustark (USA)
April 7, 1963 – August 21, 1988
Ribot (GB) x Flower Bowl (USA), by Alibhai (GB)
Family 4-d
April 7, 1963 – August 21, 1988
Ribot (GB) x Flower Bowl (USA), by Alibhai (GB)
Family 4-d
Although Graustark won only two stakes races during his short racing career, he made such an impression that there was serious debate as to whether he was the superior of his contemporary Buckpasser, winner of four championships including honors as 1966 Horse of the Year. The question must remain unanswered as the two never met on the track before a foot injury ended Graustark's racing career. At stud, Graustark became a notable influence for stamina, particularly through his daughters.
Race record
8 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$75,904
1965:
1966:
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1965, 2 pounds below divisional champion Buckpasser.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1966, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Buckpasser.
As an individual
A massive, powerful chestnut horse of commanding presence, Graustark was held to have borne a distinct resemblance to his maternal grandsire, Alibhai. He stood 16.2 hands at maturity. He possessed an excellent shoulder and stood over a lot of ground but was strong through the coupling. He could be faulted for pasterns that were somewhat too long and sloping, but his action was smooth and effortless. Unfortunately, he had much of the notorious Ribot temperament as a stallion although he had been no more than a bit high-spirited as a racehorse.
As a stallion
Records kept by The Jockey Club credit Graustark with siring 363 winners (57.5%) and 52 stakes winners (8.2%) from 631 named foals. He is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Avatar (USA), Caracolero (USA), Glowing Tribute (USA), Gregorian (USA), Ida Delia (USA), Jim French (USA), Key to the Mint (USA), Prince Dantan (USA), Proud Truth (USA), Prove Out (USA), Tempest Queen (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Aptostar (USA), Assatis (USA), Bien Bien (USA), Bint Pasha (USA), Brian's Time (USA), Catatonic (USA), Dawn's Curtsey (USA), Diamond Shoal (GB), Dontstop Themusic (USA), El Cuite (USA), Glint of Gold (GB), Gracioso (USA), Hero's Honor (USA), Love Sign (USA), Magnificent Lindy (USA), Melodist (USA), Mizzen Mast (USA), Oh So Sharp (IRE), Primal (USA), Sea Hero (USA), Secret Prospector (USA), Sunshine Forever (USA), Tiffany Lass (USA), Valdez (USA), Wild Applause (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Graustark raced as a homebred for Mr. and Mrs. John Galbreath's Darby Dan Farm. He was trained by Loyd Gentry. Following his retirement from racing, he was syndicated for US$2.4 million prior to entering stud at Darby Dan Farm in 1966. He stood at Darby Dan throughout his stud career, which ended with his death in 1988. Graustark was buried near the grave of Ribot at Darby Dan.
Pedigree notes
Graustark is inbred 5x4 to Tracery. He is a full brother to 1971 Everglades Stakes winner His Majesty, a notable sire in his own right, and to Yetive, third dam of Grade 3 winner Flags Waving. He is also a half brother to two-time American champion filly Bowl of Flowers (by Sailor), dam of Grade 2 winner Spruce Bouquet (by Big Spruce) and of Whiskey Road (by Nijinsky II), a sire of some note in Australia.
One of the better American older females of 1956, Graustark's dam Flower Bowl is a full sister to stakes winner Floral Park, second dam of 1989 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rootentootenwooten; third dam of 1989 Derby Italiano (ITY-G1) winner Prorutori, Grade 3 winner Kukulcan, and Australian Group 3 winner Stormy Regent; and fourth dam of 2013 American champion female sprinter Groupie Doll. Flower Bowl is also a half sister to stakes winner Brambles (by Beau Max); to Multiflora (by Beau Max), dam of three-time American champion filly Gallant Bloom (by Gallant Man) and second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Lady's Slipper and Irish Group 3 winner Misty Valley; and to Green Finger (by Better Self), dam of Grade 2 winner Free Hand (by Gallant Man) and multiple stakes winner Blandford Park (by Little Current) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Our Poetic Prince and multiple Grade 3 winner Take Me Out.
Flower Bed, the second dam of Graustark, is by Beau Pere out of the Mahmoud mare Boudoir II, making her a half sister to 1950 Santa Anita Derby winner Your Host (by Alibhai). She is also a half sister to stakes-placed Your Hostess (by Alibhai), dam of 1974 Ladies Handicap (USA-G1) winner Corragioso (by Gallant Man), 1967 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner T. V. Commercial (by T. V. Lark), 1963 Schuylerville Stakes winner Gallatia (by Gallant Man), stakes winner Royal Clipper (by Royal Charger), and Gay Hostess (by Royal Charger), dam of 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince and 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince. In further removes, Your Hostess is the ancestress of 1974 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner and French champion 3-year-old male Caracolero, 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto, and 1998 American champion 3-year-old male Real Quiet.
Books and media
Graustark is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Steve Haskin at Darby Dan Farm in 1974. Used by permission.
Last updated: May 17, 2024
Race record
8 starts, 7 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$75,904
1965:
- Won Arch Ward Stakes (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
1966:
- Won Bahamas Stakes (USA, 7FD, Hialeah)
- 2nd Blue Grass Stakes (USA, 9FD, Keeneland)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1965, 2 pounds below divisional champion Buckpasser.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1966, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Buckpasser.
As an individual
A massive, powerful chestnut horse of commanding presence, Graustark was held to have borne a distinct resemblance to his maternal grandsire, Alibhai. He stood 16.2 hands at maturity. He possessed an excellent shoulder and stood over a lot of ground but was strong through the coupling. He could be faulted for pasterns that were somewhat too long and sloping, but his action was smooth and effortless. Unfortunately, he had much of the notorious Ribot temperament as a stallion although he had been no more than a bit high-spirited as a racehorse.
As a stallion
Records kept by The Jockey Club credit Graustark with siring 363 winners (57.5%) and 52 stakes winners (8.2%) from 631 named foals. He is a Classic/Solid chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1972; 7th in 1973 and 1985; 8th in 1974.
- Led the American broodmare sire list in 1988; 5th in 1985; 6th in 1986.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1972; 7th in 1973 and 1985; 8th in 1974.
- 2nd on the American broodmare sire list in 1988; 3rd in 1993; 5th in 1985; 6th in 1986; 8th in 1972; 9th in 1989.
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1985; 6th in 1981.
- 10th on the French general sire list in 1974.
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1985.
Notable progeny
Avatar (USA), Caracolero (USA), Glowing Tribute (USA), Gregorian (USA), Ida Delia (USA), Jim French (USA), Key to the Mint (USA), Prince Dantan (USA), Proud Truth (USA), Prove Out (USA), Tempest Queen (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Aptostar (USA), Assatis (USA), Bien Bien (USA), Bint Pasha (USA), Brian's Time (USA), Catatonic (USA), Dawn's Curtsey (USA), Diamond Shoal (GB), Dontstop Themusic (USA), El Cuite (USA), Glint of Gold (GB), Gracioso (USA), Hero's Honor (USA), Love Sign (USA), Magnificent Lindy (USA), Melodist (USA), Mizzen Mast (USA), Oh So Sharp (IRE), Primal (USA), Sea Hero (USA), Secret Prospector (USA), Sunshine Forever (USA), Tiffany Lass (USA), Valdez (USA), Wild Applause (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Graustark raced as a homebred for Mr. and Mrs. John Galbreath's Darby Dan Farm. He was trained by Loyd Gentry. Following his retirement from racing, he was syndicated for US$2.4 million prior to entering stud at Darby Dan Farm in 1966. He stood at Darby Dan throughout his stud career, which ended with his death in 1988. Graustark was buried near the grave of Ribot at Darby Dan.
Pedigree notes
Graustark is inbred 5x4 to Tracery. He is a full brother to 1971 Everglades Stakes winner His Majesty, a notable sire in his own right, and to Yetive, third dam of Grade 3 winner Flags Waving. He is also a half brother to two-time American champion filly Bowl of Flowers (by Sailor), dam of Grade 2 winner Spruce Bouquet (by Big Spruce) and of Whiskey Road (by Nijinsky II), a sire of some note in Australia.
One of the better American older females of 1956, Graustark's dam Flower Bowl is a full sister to stakes winner Floral Park, second dam of 1989 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G1) winner Rootentootenwooten; third dam of 1989 Derby Italiano (ITY-G1) winner Prorutori, Grade 3 winner Kukulcan, and Australian Group 3 winner Stormy Regent; and fourth dam of 2013 American champion female sprinter Groupie Doll. Flower Bowl is also a half sister to stakes winner Brambles (by Beau Max); to Multiflora (by Beau Max), dam of three-time American champion filly Gallant Bloom (by Gallant Man) and second dam of Australian Group 3 winner Lady's Slipper and Irish Group 3 winner Misty Valley; and to Green Finger (by Better Self), dam of Grade 2 winner Free Hand (by Gallant Man) and multiple stakes winner Blandford Park (by Little Current) and third dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Our Poetic Prince and multiple Grade 3 winner Take Me Out.
Flower Bed, the second dam of Graustark, is by Beau Pere out of the Mahmoud mare Boudoir II, making her a half sister to 1950 Santa Anita Derby winner Your Host (by Alibhai). She is also a half sister to stakes-placed Your Hostess (by Alibhai), dam of 1974 Ladies Handicap (USA-G1) winner Corragioso (by Gallant Man), 1967 Arlington-Washington Futurity winner T. V. Commercial (by T. V. Lark), 1963 Schuylerville Stakes winner Gallatia (by Gallant Man), stakes winner Royal Clipper (by Royal Charger), and Gay Hostess (by Royal Charger), dam of 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince and 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince. In further removes, Your Hostess is the ancestress of 1974 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner and French champion 3-year-old male Caracolero, 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto, and 1998 American champion 3-year-old male Real Quiet.
Books and media
Graustark is one of 205 stallions whose accomplishments at stud are profiled in Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, The Australian Bloodhorse Review), a massive reference work written by Jennifer Churchill, Andrew Reichard and Byron Rogers.
Fun facts
- Graustark was named for a fictional European kingdom created by author George McCutcheon.
- Graustark was known to his fans as “The Big G.”
- Graustark was so impressive in his first start (in which he went off at odds of 1-5) that his second race was staged as a betless exhibition.
- For many years, rumors circulated that Graustark had actually been sired by Swaps, who stood alongside Ribot at Darby Dan Farm. These rumors were never confirmed and the traits attributed to Swaps can just as easily be attributed to Graustark's broodmare sire, Alibhai.
- Hall of Fame jockey Braulio Baeza, who rode both Buckpasser and Graustark, once asserted that Graustark would have beaten Buckpasser easily had they met. In later years, however, he gave the nod to Buckpasser.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Steve Haskin at Darby Dan Farm in 1974. Used by permission.
Last updated: May 17, 2024