A big, rugged-looking horse typical of the old Fair Play line, Intent was slow to mature, suffered from chronic unsoundness and was at his best as the distances stretched out. Those were not characteristics likely to make him a popular sire, and the fact that he had shown his best form in California rather than New York was also something of a negative for Kentucky breeders. Nonetheless, Intent left a mark on the Thoroughbred by siring Intentionally, through whom the Man o' War male line continued.
Race record
21 starts, 8 wins, 4 seconds, 6 thirds, US$317,775
1951:
1952:
1953:
Assessments
Ranked fourth among North American older males of 1952 by The Blood-Horse, while Evan Shipman of the Daily Racing Form considered Intent to be among the three best older males of the year.
Ranked seventh among American older males of 1953 by The Blood-Horse.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for older males of 1953, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Tom Fool.
As an individual
A rangy brown horse, Intent had a good shoulder, long hip and excellent bone but was sickle-hocked. He suffered from soundness issues throughout his career and had a tendency to lug in during his races. Although he was quick enough to be a stakes winner at 7 furlongs, his best characteristic as a racehorse was his ability to deliver a long, sustained run.
As a stallion
Intent sired 119 winners (58.0%) and 11 stakes winners (5.45%) from 205 named foals according to records kept by The Jockey Club.
Notable progeny
Intentionally (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Meditacao (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Intent was bred and owned by Harry Z. Isaacs' Brookfield Farm. He was trained by W. J. “Buddy” Hirsch. He entered stud in 1954 in Maryland at Brookfield Farm and stood there throughout his stud career.
Pedigree notes
Intent is outcrossed through five generations but is the produce of two inbred parents as his sire War Relic is inbred 3x3 to both Rock Sand and Fairy Gold and his dam Liz F. is inbred 4x4 to Ben Brush. He is a half brother to Harriet's Kid (by Sir Damion), dam of 1952 Washington Park Futurity winner Mr. Paradise (by Errard) and second dam of four stakes winners including 1961 John Campbell Handicap winner Conestoga and the good juvenile filly Jet to Market. Intent is also a half brother to Immensely (by Brookfield), dam of 1966 Longfellow Handicap winner In Zeal (by Round Table) and third dam of 1986 Longfellow Handicap (USA-G2) winner I'm a Banker.
Stakes-placed on the track, Liz F. was the best runner from four foals produced from the Whisk Broom II mare Weno, whose dam Rosie O'Grady is generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady also produced 1947 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Potheen (by Wildair) and 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin (by Transmute), ancestress of a host of luminaries including champions or Classic winners Ruffian, High Voltage, Impressive, Green Forest, Pine Bluff, Fusaichi Pegasus, Castle Forbes and Epitome and the important sires Majestic Light and Icecapade.
Fun facts
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: August 4, 2022
Race record
21 starts, 8 wins, 4 seconds, 6 thirds, US$317,775
1951:
- 3rd Wood Memorial Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Jamaica)
- 3rd Pageant Handicap (USA, 6FD, Atlantic City)
1952:
- Won Santa Anita Maturity (USA, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- Won San Juan Capistrano Handicap (USA, 14FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Lakes and Flowers Handicap (USA, 7FD, Hollywood)
- Won Forty-Niners Handicap (USA, 9FD, Golden Gate)
- 2nd Santa Anita Handicap (USA, 10FD, Santa Anita; disqualified from first)
- 2nd Golden Gate Handicap (USA, 10FD, Golden Gate)
- 2nd Malibu Sequet Stakes (USA, 7FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd San Antonio Handicap (USA, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd American Handicap (USA, 9FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd San Fernando Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
1953:
- Won San Juan Capistrano Handicap (USA, 14FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Metropolitan Handicap (USA, 8FD, Belmont)
Assessments
Ranked fourth among North American older males of 1952 by The Blood-Horse, while Evan Shipman of the Daily Racing Form considered Intent to be among the three best older males of the year.
Ranked seventh among American older males of 1953 by The Blood-Horse.
Rated at 124 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for older males of 1953, 12 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Tom Fool.
As an individual
A rangy brown horse, Intent had a good shoulder, long hip and excellent bone but was sickle-hocked. He suffered from soundness issues throughout his career and had a tendency to lug in during his races. Although he was quick enough to be a stakes winner at 7 furlongs, his best characteristic as a racehorse was his ability to deliver a long, sustained run.
As a stallion
Intent sired 119 winners (58.0%) and 11 stakes winners (5.45%) from 205 named foals according to records kept by The Jockey Club.
Notable progeny
Intentionally (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Meditacao (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Intent was bred and owned by Harry Z. Isaacs' Brookfield Farm. He was trained by W. J. “Buddy” Hirsch. He entered stud in 1954 in Maryland at Brookfield Farm and stood there throughout his stud career.
Pedigree notes
Intent is outcrossed through five generations but is the produce of two inbred parents as his sire War Relic is inbred 3x3 to both Rock Sand and Fairy Gold and his dam Liz F. is inbred 4x4 to Ben Brush. He is a half brother to Harriet's Kid (by Sir Damion), dam of 1952 Washington Park Futurity winner Mr. Paradise (by Errard) and second dam of four stakes winners including 1961 John Campbell Handicap winner Conestoga and the good juvenile filly Jet to Market. Intent is also a half brother to Immensely (by Brookfield), dam of 1966 Longfellow Handicap winner In Zeal (by Round Table) and third dam of 1986 Longfellow Handicap (USA-G2) winner I'm a Banker.
Stakes-placed on the track, Liz F. was the best runner from four foals produced from the Whisk Broom II mare Weno, whose dam Rosie O'Grady is generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady also produced 1947 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Potheen (by Wildair) and 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin (by Transmute), ancestress of a host of luminaries including champions or Classic winners Ruffian, High Voltage, Impressive, Green Forest, Pine Bluff, Fusaichi Pegasus, Castle Forbes and Epitome and the important sires Majestic Light and Icecapade.
Fun facts
- Like all of Harry Isaacs' homebreds, Intent was given a name beginning with the letter “I.” Isaacs reportedly modeled this practice after Colonel Edward Riley Bradley, who was well known for giving all his horses names beginning with “B.”
- Intent's disqualification from victory in the 1952 Santa Anita Handicap made him the first horse to be disqualified from winning a race with a guaranteed purse of US$100,000 or more.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: August 4, 2022