Grecian Banner (USA)
April 26, 1974 – 1988
Hoist the Flag (USA) x Dorine (ARG), by Aristophanes (GB)
Family 6-a
April 26, 1974 – 1988
Hoist the Flag (USA) x Dorine (ARG), by Aristophanes (GB)
Family 6-a
While Grecian Banner managed to break her maiden in decent company, that was it for her accomplishments as a racehorse. She gained far greater fame in the breeding shed, where she produced one for the ages in the unbeaten champion Personal Ensign. Personal Ensign's heroics in 1988, combined with a Grade 1 victory by her full brother Personal Flag, were enough to lift Grecian Banner to Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors that year. Her family has since bred on well, primarily through the descendants of Personal Ensign.
Race record
6 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$9,020
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare; no further information available.
As a producer
A Reine-de-Course as designated by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Grecian Banner produced seven named foals, of which five ran and won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Grecian Banner was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps. She died of peritonitis after producing her last foal, the Private Account colt Private Ensign, in 1988.
Pedigree notes
Grecian Banner is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to stakes winner Our Hero (by Bold Ruler) and to Dory (by Right of Way), second dam of 2004 Argentine champion sprinter Forty Doriana, 2000 Premio Carreras Estrellas Sprint (ARG-G1) winner Dionisio Tom, 1991 Las Oaks (CHI-G1) winner Doryanna and Argentine Group 2 winners Grand Dory and Dorian Gray. Dory is also the third dam of Argentine Group 2 winners Forty Dorico, Dorylda and Pure Doris and of Chilean Group 2 winner Mi Coqueta. Another half sister to Grecian Banner, Wise Viewer (by Reviewer), is the dam of multiple listed stakes winner Take Account (by Private Account) and the third dam of 2014 Gold Medallion Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Guiness and 2015 Zimbabwe Oaks winner Fig Jam.
Grecian Banner is out of two-time Argentine champion filly Dorine (by Aristophanes). A full sister to Gran Premio 25 de Mayo winner Doretta and to stakes winner Dorileo, Dorine is out of the crack Argentine sprinter Doria (by Advocate) and is a product of the same sire/broodmare sire cross that produced the great Forli. Doria, in turn, is a half sister to Donvina (by Pont l'Eveque), second dam of 1975 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Dulcia, and to Donnetta (by Pont l'Eveque), second dam of 1980 Clasico Nacional Ricardo Lyon (CHI-G1) winner Maipon and multiple Uruguayan Group 2 winner Donzettino.
Last updated: June 10, 2023
Race record
6 starts, 1 win, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$9,020
As an individual
A dark bay or brown mare; no further information available.
As a producer
A Reine-de-Course as designated by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Grecian Banner produced seven named foals, of which five ran and won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Private Colors (1982, by Private Account) produced stakes winner Private Dreams (by Johannesburg). She is the second dam of Japanese Grade 2 winner God of Chance and the third dam of 2017 Slovakian champion 2-year-old male King Heart, 2015 Gran Premio General San Martin (ARG-G1) winner Giacom and multiple English Group 2 winner Strong Suit.
- Personal Flag (1983, by Private Account) won the 1987 Widener Handicap (Dec) (USA-G1) and the 1988 Suburban Handicap (USA-G1). He sired 34 stakes winners from 684 named foals, headed by Grade 2 winner and millionaire Say Florida Sandy.
- Personal Ensign (1984, by Private Account) was the American champion older female of 1988. A member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame, Personal Ensign also gained Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors in 1996. She is the dam of 1993 Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA-G1) winner Miner's Mark (by Mr. Prospector), multiple Grade 1 winner My Flag (by Easy Goer), 2001 Oaklawn Handicap (USA-G1) winner Traditionally (by Mr. Prospector), and multiple Grade 1-placed Our Emblem (by Mr. Prospector), the sire of 2002 American champion 2-year-old male War Emblem and a moderately successful sire in Brazil. Personal Ensign is the second dam of 2002 American champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying, 2014 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) winner Mr. Speaker, and Grade 3 winners Animal Spirits, Fire Away, Seeking the Title, Title Ready, and Vigilantes Way. She is also the third dam of 2017 Clark Handicap (USA-G1) winner Seeking the Soul, 2023 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Mohegan Sun (USA-G1) winner Arabian Lion, Grade 2 winners Interactif and Major Dude, multiple Grade 3 winner Divine Oath, and Grade 3 winners Auntie Joy, Ocho Ocho Ocho, and Teresa Z.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Grecian Banner was bred and owned by Ogden Phipps. She died of peritonitis after producing her last foal, the Private Account colt Private Ensign, in 1988.
Pedigree notes
Grecian Banner is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to stakes winner Our Hero (by Bold Ruler) and to Dory (by Right of Way), second dam of 2004 Argentine champion sprinter Forty Doriana, 2000 Premio Carreras Estrellas Sprint (ARG-G1) winner Dionisio Tom, 1991 Las Oaks (CHI-G1) winner Doryanna and Argentine Group 2 winners Grand Dory and Dorian Gray. Dory is also the third dam of Argentine Group 2 winners Forty Dorico, Dorylda and Pure Doris and of Chilean Group 2 winner Mi Coqueta. Another half sister to Grecian Banner, Wise Viewer (by Reviewer), is the dam of multiple listed stakes winner Take Account (by Private Account) and the third dam of 2014 Gold Medallion Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Guiness and 2015 Zimbabwe Oaks winner Fig Jam.
Grecian Banner is out of two-time Argentine champion filly Dorine (by Aristophanes). A full sister to Gran Premio 25 de Mayo winner Doretta and to stakes winner Dorileo, Dorine is out of the crack Argentine sprinter Doria (by Advocate) and is a product of the same sire/broodmare sire cross that produced the great Forli. Doria, in turn, is a half sister to Donvina (by Pont l'Eveque), second dam of 1975 Vanity Handicap (USA-G1) winner Dulcia, and to Donnetta (by Pont l'Eveque), second dam of 1980 Clasico Nacional Ricardo Lyon (CHI-G1) winner Maipon and multiple Uruguayan Group 2 winner Donzettino.
Last updated: June 10, 2023