Hillsdale could have been claimed for US$7,500 when he broke his maiden as a 2-year-old, but there were no takers. Two years later, the unwanted colt missed likely Horse of the Year honors by a head, the margin of his defeat by the 3-year-old Sword Dancer in the weight-for-age Woodward Stakes, and there were many observers who felt that Hillsdale owed his defeat to a canny ride by Eddie Arcaro on the victor more than he did to Sword Dancer himself.
Like many stallions who outrun their own pedigrees, Hillsdale was not particularly successful at stud. His greatest contribution to American pedigrees was his stakes-placed son Acroterion, who became the broodmare sire of multiple Grade 1 winner and top California sire Flying Paster.
Race record
41 starts, 23 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds, US$646,935
1958:
1959:
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2022)
Assessments
Rated at 110 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1957, 16 pounds below official co-champion Jewel's Reward and 15 pounds below the other official co-champion, Nadir.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1958, 10 pounds below champion Tim Tam.
Co-highweighted at 130 pounds with Round Table (the official champion turf horse and co-champion handicap male) on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1959.
As an individual
A well-conformed if plain bay standing 16.1 hands, Hillsdale had a rather long back but was clean-legged and sound with an iron constitution and excellent action. He had strong muscling, a good shoulder and a long, level pelvis. His one failing was that he could not handle off going. He had a pleasant disposition and could be placed on the track as his jockey desired.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Hillsdale sired 101 winners (67.3%) and nine stakes winners (6.0%) from 150 named foals.
Notable progeny
Hi Q (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Indiana, Hillsdale was bred by Helen Kellogg's Murlogg Farm and began his racing career in Mrs. Kellogg's silks. He was initially trained by Odie Clelland. Following his juvenile season, he was purchased privately for US$25,000 by former Chicago Bears football player Clarence W. Smith, and eventually moved from Clelland's barn to that of his former exercise rider, Martin L. Fallon, Jr. The horse entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1960. Hillsdale died of a heart attack at Three Rings Ranch near Beaumont, California, in 1972.
Pedigree notes
Hillsdale is inbred 5x5 to Fair Play. A son of the hardy but undistinguished Aneroid horse Take Away, he is a half brother to Hillbrook (by I Will), who produced 1966 Gazelle Handicap winner Prides Profile (by Free America) and founded a notable female family through her daughters.
Johann, the dam of Hillsdale, is a half sister to 1945 American Derby winner Fighting Step (by Fighting Fox). She is out of the Misstep mare Stepinanna, a winning half sister to 1931 Latonia Derby winner Spanish Play and to 1936 Ladies' Handicap winner Rust (both by Spanish Prince II). Stepinanna is also a half sister to Earliana (by American Flag), dam of 1948 Astoria Stakes winner Eternal Flag and stakes winner Eternal Road (both by Eternal Bull); to Susan Constant (by Jamestown), second dam of 1969 Niagara Handicap winner Hammer Kopf; and to Miss Anna C. (by Wise Counsellor), dam of 1953 United States Hotel Stakes winner Wise Pop (by Pavot).
The next dam in Hillsdale's tail-female lineage is Anna Horton (by Wrack), whose full sister Decree produced 1929 Selima Stakes winner Khara (by Kai-Sang). Khara, in turn, produced 1937 New England Oaks winner Savage Beauty and 1940 Bowie Handicap winner Aethelwold (both by Challenger II) and is the second dam of four stakes winners including 1953 Santa Susanna Handicap winner Femme Fatale and the third dam of the disqualified 1968 Kentucky Derby winner, Dancer's Image. Decree is also the dam of 1934 Knickerbocker Handicap winner Deduce (by Lucullite) and the second dam of 1953 Dominion Day Handicap winner Mr. Willie.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: September 20, 2022
Like many stallions who outrun their own pedigrees, Hillsdale was not particularly successful at stud. His greatest contribution to American pedigrees was his stakes-placed son Acroterion, who became the broodmare sire of multiple Grade 1 winner and top California sire Flying Paster.
Race record
41 starts, 23 wins, 6 seconds, 4 thirds, US$646,935
1958:
- Won El Dorado Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Hollywood)
- Won Will Rogers Stakes (USA, 8FD, Hollywood)
- Won Malibu Stakes (USA, 7FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Michigan Derby (USA, 8.5FD, Hazel Park)
- Won Boardwalk Handicap (USA, 9FD, Atlantic City)
- 2nd Atlantic City Handicap (USA, 9FT, Atlantic City)
- 3rd Debonair Stakes (USA, 6FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd Westerner Stakes (USA, 10FD, Hollywood)
1959:
- Won Californian Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Hollywood)
- Won San Carlos Handicap (USA, 7FD, Santa Anita)
- Won San Fernando Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won American Handicap (USA, 9FD, Hollywood)
- Won Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Santa Anita Maturity (USA, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Aqueduct Handicap (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Los Angeles Handicap (USA, 7FD, Hollywood)
- Won Argonaut Handicap (USA, 8FD, Hollywood)
- 2nd Santa Anita Handicap (USA, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes (USA, 10FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd San Antonio Handicap (USA, 9FD, Santa Anita)
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 2022)
Assessments
Rated at 110 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1957, 16 pounds below official co-champion Jewel's Reward and 15 pounds below the other official co-champion, Nadir.
Rated at 118 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1958, 10 pounds below champion Tim Tam.
Co-highweighted at 130 pounds with Round Table (the official champion turf horse and co-champion handicap male) on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1959.
As an individual
A well-conformed if plain bay standing 16.1 hands, Hillsdale had a rather long back but was clean-legged and sound with an iron constitution and excellent action. He had strong muscling, a good shoulder and a long, level pelvis. His one failing was that he could not handle off going. He had a pleasant disposition and could be placed on the track as his jockey desired.
As a stallion
According to records maintained by The Jockey Club, Hillsdale sired 101 winners (67.3%) and nine stakes winners (6.0%) from 150 named foals.
Notable progeny
Hi Q (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Indiana, Hillsdale was bred by Helen Kellogg's Murlogg Farm and began his racing career in Mrs. Kellogg's silks. He was initially trained by Odie Clelland. Following his juvenile season, he was purchased privately for US$25,000 by former Chicago Bears football player Clarence W. Smith, and eventually moved from Clelland's barn to that of his former exercise rider, Martin L. Fallon, Jr. The horse entered stud in Kentucky at Claiborne Farm in 1960. Hillsdale died of a heart attack at Three Rings Ranch near Beaumont, California, in 1972.
Pedigree notes
Hillsdale is inbred 5x5 to Fair Play. A son of the hardy but undistinguished Aneroid horse Take Away, he is a half brother to Hillbrook (by I Will), who produced 1966 Gazelle Handicap winner Prides Profile (by Free America) and founded a notable female family through her daughters.
Johann, the dam of Hillsdale, is a half sister to 1945 American Derby winner Fighting Step (by Fighting Fox). She is out of the Misstep mare Stepinanna, a winning half sister to 1931 Latonia Derby winner Spanish Play and to 1936 Ladies' Handicap winner Rust (both by Spanish Prince II). Stepinanna is also a half sister to Earliana (by American Flag), dam of 1948 Astoria Stakes winner Eternal Flag and stakes winner Eternal Road (both by Eternal Bull); to Susan Constant (by Jamestown), second dam of 1969 Niagara Handicap winner Hammer Kopf; and to Miss Anna C. (by Wise Counsellor), dam of 1953 United States Hotel Stakes winner Wise Pop (by Pavot).
The next dam in Hillsdale's tail-female lineage is Anna Horton (by Wrack), whose full sister Decree produced 1929 Selima Stakes winner Khara (by Kai-Sang). Khara, in turn, produced 1937 New England Oaks winner Savage Beauty and 1940 Bowie Handicap winner Aethelwold (both by Challenger II) and is the second dam of four stakes winners including 1953 Santa Susanna Handicap winner Femme Fatale and the third dam of the disqualified 1968 Kentucky Derby winner, Dancer's Image. Decree is also the dam of 1934 Knickerbocker Handicap winner Deduce (by Lucullite) and the second dam of 1953 Dominion Day Handicap winner Mr. Willie.
Fun facts
- Hillsdale was named for Hillsdale Road, which ran close by Murlogg Farm.
- Hillsdale was the second horse to sweep Santa Anita's “Strub Series” for 4-year-olds, following in Round Table's hoof prints by winning the Malibu Stakes, San Fernando Stakes and Santa Anita Maturity (later the Charles H. Strub Stakes).
- The Hillsdale Stakes is run at Indiana Downs. A restricted race for Indiana-bred 2-year-olds, it is carded at 6 furlongs on dirt.
- In spite of Hillsdale's fame as a racehorse, his name was later released by The Jockey Club, allowing a 2001 California-bred mare by Benton Creek x Sterling Heights to be registered as “Hillsdale.” Fortunately for future historians, if not for her connections, she failed to achieve anything that might risk her becoming confused with her famous predecessor.
- Hillsdale is the only Indiana-bred horse in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: September 20, 2022