Key to the Moon (CAN)
February 21, 1981 – August 3, 1988
Wajima (USA) x Kamar (CAN), by Key to the Mint (USA)
Family 14-c
February 21, 1981 – August 3, 1988
Wajima (USA) x Kamar (CAN), by Key to the Mint (USA)
Family 14-c
The most notable son of 1975 American champion 3-year-old male Wajima, Key to the Moon was a champion in Canada and showed respectable class in the United States. He had little opportunity at stud as he died young. His early results suggest that he might have made a useful but not outstanding sire.
Race record
50 starts, 13 wins, 10 seconds, 3 thirds, US$714,536 (includes converted foreign earnings)
1983:
1984:
1985:
1986:
Honors
Sovereign Award, Canadian champion 3-year-old male (1984)
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the 1983 Canadian Free Handicap for 2-year-old males, 4 pounds below champion Prince Avatar.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the 1984 Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old males, 2 pounds above second-rated Let’s Go Blue.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1984, 14 pounds below champion Swale.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older males of 1985, 10 pounds below highweighted Precisionist (that year’s American champion sprinter) and 8 pounds below divisional champion Vanlandingham.
Rated at 122 pounds on the 1986 Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1986, 3 pounds below champion Ten Gold Pots.
Rated at 108 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older males of 1986, 18 pounds below champion Precisionist.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse; no other information available.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Key to the Moon sired 33 winners (67.3%) and three stakes winners (6.1%) from 49 named foals of racing age.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Key to the Moon was bred and owned by Bahnam K. Yousif, who raced under the name of B. K. Y. Stables. He was trained by Gil Rowntree. He died August 3, 1988, at the University of Guelph after fracturing a right fore cannon bone.
Pedigree notes
Key to the Moon is inbred 4x5 to undefeated Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Gorgeous (by Slew o’ Gold), 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner and outstanding broodmare Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), and 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), as well as the good broodmares Jood (by Nijinsky II), Forlis Key (by Forli), and Wilayif (by Danzig).
Key to the Moon and his siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar (by Key to the Mint). Kamar is a full sister to 1986 Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Smitten and a half sister to 1983 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (USA-G3) winner Stellarette (by Tentam). Produced from 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and “Genetic Gem” Square Angel (Quadrangle x Nangela, by Nearctic), Kamar is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Dancing on a Cloud (by Nijinsky II).
Last updated: August 4, 2026
Race record
50 starts, 13 wins, 10 seconds, 3 thirds, US$714,536 (includes converted foreign earnings)
1983:
- Won Display Stakes (CAN, 8FD, Greenwood)
1984:
- Won Queen's Plate Stakes (CAN-R, 10FD, Woodbine)
- Won Discovery Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- Won Marine Stakes (CAN-G3, 8.5FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Jersey Derby (USA-G3, 9FD, Atlantic City)
- 2nd Christmas Day Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Calder)
- 2nd Woodstock Stakes (CAN, 6.5FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Plate Trial Stakes (second division) (CAN-R, 9FD, Woodbine)
1985:
- Won Gulfstream Sprint Championship H. (USA-L, 7FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd Gulfstream Park Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Donn Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)
- 3rd Seminole Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Hialeah)
1986:
- Won Dominion Day Handicap (CAN-G3, 10FD, Woodbine)
- Won Durham Cup Handicap (CAN, 9FD, Woodbine)
- 2nd Jacques Cartier Stakes (CAN-R, 7FD, Greenwood)
Honors
Sovereign Award, Canadian champion 3-year-old male (1984)
Assessments
Rated at 122 pounds on the 1983 Canadian Free Handicap for 2-year-old males, 4 pounds below champion Prince Avatar.
Highweighted at 127 pounds on the 1984 Canadian Free Handicap for 3-year-old males, 2 pounds above second-rated Let’s Go Blue.
Rated at 115 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American 3-year-old males of 1984, 14 pounds below champion Swale.
Rated at 116 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older males of 1985, 10 pounds below highweighted Precisionist (that year’s American champion sprinter) and 8 pounds below divisional champion Vanlandingham.
Rated at 122 pounds on the 1986 Canadian Free Handicap for older males of 1986, 3 pounds below champion Ten Gold Pots.
Rated at 108 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American older males of 1986, 18 pounds below champion Precisionist.
As an individual
A dark bay or brown horse; no other information available.
As a stallion
According to records compiled by the Jockey Club, Key to the Moon sired 33 winners (67.3%) and three stakes winners (6.1%) from 49 named foals of racing age.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Key to the Moon was bred and owned by Bahnam K. Yousif, who raced under the name of B. K. Y. Stables. He was trained by Gil Rowntree. He died August 3, 1988, at the University of Guelph after fracturing a right fore cannon bone.
Pedigree notes
Key to the Moon is inbred 4x5 to undefeated Nearco, a two-time champion sire in England. He is a half brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Gorgeous (by Slew o’ Gold), 1990 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner and outstanding broodmare Seaside Attraction (by Seattle Slew), and 1986 Princess Margaret Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Hiaam (by Alydar), as well as the good broodmares Jood (by Nijinsky II), Forlis Key (by Forli), and Wilayif (by Danzig).
Key to the Moon and his siblings are out of 1979 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and 1990 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Kamar (by Key to the Mint). Kamar is a full sister to 1986 Apple Blossom Handicap (USA-G1) winner Love Smitten and a half sister to 1983 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (USA-G3) winner Stellarette (by Tentam). Produced from 1973 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and “Genetic Gem” Square Angel (Quadrangle x Nangela, by Nearctic), Kamar is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Dancing on a Cloud (by Nijinsky II).
Last updated: August 4, 2026