In the annals of Thoroughbred breeding, very few mares have managed to produce three foals capable of winning a race considered a 3-year-old Classic in a major racing nation. Korveya joined that elite club in 1996, when her champion daughter Bosra Sham carried off the One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) following victories in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, FR-G1) by her full brother Hector Protector and her half brother Shanghai. With that kind of production record behind her, it was small wonder that Korveya tied the world record for a Thoroughbred broodmare sold at auction when she went for US$7 million at the 1998 Keeneland November mixed sale. As she was 16 at the time of her sale, it was not really a surprise that her best producing days were behind her, and she died with only one more winner credited to her record from six post-sale foals. Neither of Korveya’s Classic-winning sons were successful sires, but her daughters have bred on creditably.
Race record
6 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
1985:
As an individual
An elegant, correct chestnut mare, Korveya consistently threw miler speed.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Korveya produced 16 named foals. Of these, 13 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Korveya was bred and owned by Stavros Niarchos, whose Flaxman Holdings bred her first three foals. Following the birth of her 1989 colt, Shanghai, Korveya passed to the ownership of Gerald Leigh. By 1996, Jayeff "B" Stables (Richard Santulli and George Prussin) had acquired an interest in the mare, and Jayeff bought out Leigh's interest in Korveya's record-tying sale at Keeneland. Korveya's last foal, the Gone West mare Truant, was foaled in 2005.
Pedigree notes
Korveya is inbred 4x5 to the unbeaten Italian champion Nearco, a two-time champion sire on the English/Irish list, and 5x5x5 to two-time French champion Djebel, who led the French general sire list at least three times. She is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin.
In addition to the above, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute (a full or half sister to six stakes winners out of Windfields Farm foundation mare Queen’s Statute), Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra.
As if that were not enough, Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Last updated: April 10, 2026
Race record
6 starts, 3 wins, 0 seconds, 1 third
1985:
- Won Prix Chloe (FR-G3, 1800mT, Évry)
- Won Prix des Lilas (FR-L, 1600mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 3rd Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3, 1600mT, San Siro)
As an individual
An elegant, correct chestnut mare, Korveya consistently threw miler speed.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Korveya produced 16 named foals. Of these, 13 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Yemanja (1987, by Alleged) failed to win in three starts but is the second dam of Kremlin Captain, the 2014/15 Horse of the Year in Mauritius.
- Hector Protector (1988, by Woodman) was the French champion 2-year-old male of 1990 and won two Group 1 races in 1991, including the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. He sired 23 stakes winners from 1147 named foals of racing age while standing in Japan.
- Shanghai (1989, by Procida) won the 1992 Poule d’Essai des Poulains. He sired only three stakes winners from 706 named foals of racing age while standing in Japan.
- Gioconda (1990, by Nijinsky II) won one of her four races. She is the dam of multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Ciro (by Woodman) and the second dam of multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Trailblazer. Her more distant descendants include Japanese Group 3 winner Ablaze.
- Bosra Sham (1993, by Woodman) was the European champion 3-year-old filly of 1996. She is the dam of 2008 Premier’s Stakes (CAN-G3) winner Rosberg (by A.P. Indy) and the third dam of Grade 3 winner Dream It Is.
- Maria Isabella (1995, by Kris) placed in two listed stakes races as a 4-year-old. She is the dam of 2007 Prix Chloe (FR-G3) winner Utrecht (by Rock of Gibraltar).
- Tapatina (1997, by Seeking the Gold) was unplaced in three races but is the dam of 2009 Del Mar Oaks (USA-G1) winner Internallyflawless (by Giant’s Causeway; dam of restricted stakes winner Internal Bourbon, by Not Bourbon) and of listed stakes winner Billy’s Star (by Perfect Soul).
- Reflective (2003, by Seeking the Gold) is the dam of English listed stakes winner Biographer (by Montjeu).
- Truant (2005, by Gone West) never raced but is the dam of Japanese listed stakes winner Dream Kirari (by Giant’s Causeway).
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Korveya was bred and owned by Stavros Niarchos, whose Flaxman Holdings bred her first three foals. Following the birth of her 1989 colt, Shanghai, Korveya passed to the ownership of Gerald Leigh. By 1996, Jayeff "B" Stables (Richard Santulli and George Prussin) had acquired an interest in the mare, and Jayeff bought out Leigh's interest in Korveya's record-tying sale at Keeneland. Korveya's last foal, the Gone West mare Truant, was foaled in 2005.
Pedigree notes
Korveya is inbred 4x5 to the unbeaten Italian champion Nearco, a two-time champion sire on the English/Irish list, and 5x5x5 to two-time French champion Djebel, who led the French general sire list at least three times. She is a full sister to 1999 Jacobs Goldene Peitsche (GER-G2) winner Keos and a half sister to 1994 Premio Umbria (ITY-G2) winner Proskona (by Mr. Prospector), dam of 2002 Canadian Handicap (USA-G2) winner Calista (by Caerleon), second dam of French Group 3 winner Synopsis, and third dam of multiple Group 1 winners Act One, Mawj, and Modern Games. Korveya is also a half sister to listed stakes winner Carnet Solaire (by Sharpen Up), second dam of 2008 Clement L. Hirsch Turf Championship Stakes (USA-G1) winner Red Giant and Grade 3 winner Wyomia and third dam of German Group 3 winner Chopin.
In addition to the above, Korveya is a half sister to Group 3-placed Talon d’Aiguille (by Big Spruce), dam of French listed stakes winner Stikine (by Slickly) and second dam of French Group 3 winner Gruntled, and to stakes-placed Leo’s Lucky Lady (by Seattle Slew), dam of 2006 Debutante Stakes (IRE-G2) winner Gaudeamus (by Distorted Humor), second dam of three-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, and third dam of 2018 Slovakian champion 2-year-old filly O’Ffensive and Grade/Group 3 winners King Zachary and O’Juke. Finally, Korveya is a half sister to Cloelia (by Lyphard), dam of 2003 San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1) winner Passineti (by Slew o’ Gold), and to Kamaina (by Mr. Prospector), second dam of 2013 Hong Kong champion stayer California Memory, 2007 Spanish champion imported 2-year-old colt Rituss, and multiple Australian Group 3 winner Mouro.
Korveya, in turn, is out of 1976 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) runner-up Konafa (by Damascus). Produced from the winning Northern Dancer mare Royal Statute (a full or half sister to six stakes winners out of Windfields Farm foundation mare Queen’s Statute), Konafa is a half sister to 1982 English champion 3-year-old filly and 1983 Italian champion older female Awaasif (by Snow Knight), dam of 1989 Gold Seal Oaks (ENG-G1) winner Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), 1992 New Orleans Handicap (ENG-G3) winner Jarraar (by Mr. Prospector), and 2002 Saranac Handicap (USA-G3) winner Ibn al Haitham (by Zafonic) and second dam of 1995 European champion 3-year-old male Lammtarra and French Group 3 winner Saytarra.
As if that were not enough, Konafa is also a half sister to 1981 Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-G3) winner Akureyri (by Buckpasser) and to 1984 Premio Bagutta (ITY-G3) winner Royal Lorna (by Val de l’Orne), dam of 2000 Prix du Lys (FR-G3) winner Lycitus (by Lycius) and Australian listed stakes winner Forlorna (by Nashwan) and second dam of 2002 Premio Roma (ITY-G1) winner Sunstrach and English Group 3 winner Music Box. In addition, Konafa is a half sister to Baederwood (by Tentam), a useful regional sire in the Mid-Atlantic region and to Royal Stance (by Dr. Fager), dam of multiple Group 3 winner Majuscule (by Majestic Light), 1987 Falls City Handicap (USA-G3) winner Royal Cielo (by Conquistador Cielo), and multiple listed stakes winner Luhuk (by Forty Niner; an important sire in Argentina). Finally, Konafa is a half sister to Victoress (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of 2011 Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Pour Moi and Group 3 winners Dawn Patrol and Gagnoa.
Last updated: April 10, 2026