Havre de Grace (USA)
May 12, 2007 – April 30, 2023
Saint Liam (USA) x Easter Bunnette (USA), by Carson City (USA)
Family 3-l
May 12, 2007 – April 30, 2023
Saint Liam (USA) x Easter Bunnette (USA), by Carson City (USA)
Family 3-l
The third consecutive filly or mare to wear the crown as American Horse of the Year and the fifth to do so since Eclipse Award voting began in 1971, Havre de Grace was professional, consistent and talented enough to take the top honors in a year that lacked a true standout in either the 3-year-old male or older male divisions. She was slated to defend her crown in 2012 but was forced into retirement by injury after winning her first start of the year.
Race record
16 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$2,586,175
2010:
2011:
2012:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings, 16 pounds below highweighted Frankel, who earned his rating in winning the QIPCO Sussex Stakes, ENG-G1. Havre de Grace's rating was also 12 pounds below the topweighted mare, Australian sprinter Black Caviar, and 4 pounds below the top-rated North American runner, 2011 Breeder' Cup Classic (USA-G1) winner Drosselmeyer.
As an individual
A well-made, attractive bay mare, Havre de Grace had excellent tactical speed and could be placed as her jockey desired during a race. She was professional and sensible around the track and thoroughly game and determined in a drive. She was retired in April 2012 after injuring her right fore ankle during a workout.
As a producer
As of April 30, 2023, Havre de Grace has produced six named foals, five of which have started and won. Graceful Princess (2016, by Tapit) became her first stakes winner when she won the Molly Pitcher Stakes (USA-G3) at Monmouth on July 17, 2021.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Havre de Grace was bred by Nancy S. Dillman. She was sold for US$380,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale and was owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms. She was trained by Larry Jones. Following her retirement from racing, Havre de Grace was purchased by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for US$10 million at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale. The mare died of complications of foaling on April 30, 2023; her Into Mischief colt was placed on a nurse mare.
Pedigree notes
Havre de Grace is inbred 5x3 to Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to Northern Dancer. She is out of Easter Bunnette, whose Grade 3-placed half sister The Bink (by Seeking the Gold) is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Riskaverse (by Dynaformer; dam of Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Say, by Galileo) and Grade 3 winner Cozzy Corner (by Cozzene). Easter Bunnette is also a half sister to Settling Mist (by Pleasant Colony), dam of 2014 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tonalist (by Tapit); to Rahfee (by Rahy), dam of Grade 3 winner Tasteyville (by With Approval) and second dam of stakes winner Henny's Princess; to Toll Order (by Loup Sauvage), dam of Grade 3 winner Bouquet Booth; and to Tolltally Light (by Majestic Light), second dam of restricted stakes winners Aint She a Saint and Saintly Look.
The second dam of Havre de Grace, Toll Fee (by Topsider), is one of seven stakes winners produced by 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser), whose other foals include 1980 American champion sprinter Plugged Nickle (by Key to the Mint) and 1992 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G1) winner Christiecat (by Majestic Light). Toll Booth, in turn, is out of Missy Baba (by My Babu), herself the dam of six stakes winners and, through her daughter Gay Missile, the ancestress of champions or Classic winners Gay Mecene, A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid, and Summer Squall.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2013. Used by permission.
Last updated: April 30, 2023
Race record
16 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 2 thirds, US$2,586,175
2010:
- Won Fitz Dixon Cotillion Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Philadelphia Park)
- 2nd Betfair TVG Alabama Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
- 2nd Delaware Oaks (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Delaware)
- 2nd Go for Wand Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Delaware)
- 3rd Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
2011:
- Won Woodward Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Saratoga)
- Won Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Oaklawn)
- Won Beldame Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
- Won Obeah Stakes (USA-G3, 9FD, Delaware)
- Won Azeri Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FD, Oaklawn)
- 2nd Delaware Handicap (USA-G2, 10FD, Delaware)
2012:
- Won New Orleans Ladies Stakes (USA-L, 8.5FD, Fair Grounds)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American Horse of the Year (2011)
- Eclipse Award, American champion older female (2011)
- Kentucky-bred Horse of the Year (2011)
- Kentucky-bred champion older female (2011)
Assessments
Rated at 120 pounds on the 2011 World Thoroughbred Rankings, 16 pounds below highweighted Frankel, who earned his rating in winning the QIPCO Sussex Stakes, ENG-G1. Havre de Grace's rating was also 12 pounds below the topweighted mare, Australian sprinter Black Caviar, and 4 pounds below the top-rated North American runner, 2011 Breeder' Cup Classic (USA-G1) winner Drosselmeyer.
As an individual
A well-made, attractive bay mare, Havre de Grace had excellent tactical speed and could be placed as her jockey desired during a race. She was professional and sensible around the track and thoroughly game and determined in a drive. She was retired in April 2012 after injuring her right fore ankle during a workout.
As a producer
As of April 30, 2023, Havre de Grace has produced six named foals, five of which have started and won. Graceful Princess (2016, by Tapit) became her first stakes winner when she won the Molly Pitcher Stakes (USA-G3) at Monmouth on July 17, 2021.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Havre de Grace was bred by Nancy S. Dillman. She was sold for US$380,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale and was owned by Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farms. She was trained by Larry Jones. Following her retirement from racing, Havre de Grace was purchased by Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm for US$10 million at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale. The mare died of complications of foaling on April 30, 2023; her Into Mischief colt was placed on a nurse mare.
Pedigree notes
Havre de Grace is inbred 5x3 to Mr. Prospector and 5x4 to Northern Dancer. She is out of Easter Bunnette, whose Grade 3-placed half sister The Bink (by Seeking the Gold) is the dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Riskaverse (by Dynaformer; dam of Group 1-placed Irish stakes winner Say, by Galileo) and Grade 3 winner Cozzy Corner (by Cozzene). Easter Bunnette is also a half sister to Settling Mist (by Pleasant Colony), dam of 2014 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Tonalist (by Tapit); to Rahfee (by Rahy), dam of Grade 3 winner Tasteyville (by With Approval) and second dam of stakes winner Henny's Princess; to Toll Order (by Loup Sauvage), dam of Grade 3 winner Bouquet Booth; and to Tolltally Light (by Majestic Light), second dam of restricted stakes winners Aint She a Saint and Saintly Look.
The second dam of Havre de Grace, Toll Fee (by Topsider), is one of seven stakes winners produced by 1991 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Toll Booth (by Buckpasser), whose other foals include 1980 American champion sprinter Plugged Nickle (by Key to the Mint) and 1992 Flower Bowl Handicap (USA-G1) winner Christiecat (by Majestic Light). Toll Booth, in turn, is out of Missy Baba (by My Babu), herself the dam of six stakes winners and, through her daughter Gay Missile, the ancestress of champions or Classic winners Gay Mecene, A.P. Indy, Lemon Drop Kid, and Summer Squall.
Fun facts
- Havre de Grace was named after a once-prominent racetrack in Maryland, affectionately known as “The Graw” to locals. Located near a waterfront village of the same name (which means “Harbor of Grace” in French), the track was open in 1912-1950 and hosted performances by many of the greatest racehorses of the period. Its old clubhouse now serves as the administrative headquarters for the Maryland National Guard.
- Havre de Grace's arch-rival was 2010 American champion 3-year-old filly Blind Luck, who outfinished Havre de Grace in three of four meetings with her at 3 and split two decisions with her at age 4. In four of their six meetings, the margin between the two fillies was a neck or less.
- Havre de Grace was the second filly or mare to have won the Woodward Stakes, following Rachel Alexandra in 2009.
Photo credit
Photo taken by Jessica Morgan in 2013. Used by permission.
Last updated: April 30, 2023