Mars Shield was generally considered the second-best American 3-year-old filly of her year, but it was a distant second best to Dawn Play, whom many considered the best 3-year-old of either sex other than 1937 American Triple Crown winner War Admiral. Mars Shield failed to follow up on her good 3-year-old season as an older filly and was only modestly successful as a broodmare in spite of coming from an excellent family.
Race record
47 starts, 7 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds, US$22,530
1937:
1938:
Assessments
Rated second among American 3-year-old fillies of 1937 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown mare; no further information available.
As a producer
Mars Shield produced six named foals, of which five started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Mars Shield was bred by Marshall Field III. She was owned by Ethel V. Mars' Milky Way Farm. She was trained by Robert McGarvey. Prior to the birth of her 1944 filly, Jonell C., she was sold to Henry Knight.
Pedigree notes
Mars Shield is inbred 5x5 to 1867 Derby Stakes winner and seven-time English champion sire Hermit. She is a full sister to Escarpment, dam of the stakes-winning steeplechaser Escarp (by Caruso). She is a half sister to stakes winners By Far (by Bold Gallant) and Strange Device (by Stimulus), dam of stakes winners Abstract (by Isolater) and Metal Mike (by Pilate) and third dam of 1973 Puerto Rican Horse of the Year El Peligroso, two-time Slovakian champion filly Mona Say, and 1979 Delaware Handicap (USA-G1) winner Likely Exchange. Mars Shield is also a half sister to stakes-placed Bourtai (by Stimulus), dam of 1957 American champion 3-year-old filly Bayou (by Hill Prince); 1956 Arlington Matron Handicap winner Delta (by Nasrullah), the 1968 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year; 1956 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Levee (by Hill Prince), the 1970 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year; 1954 Correction Handicap winner Banta (by Some Chance); and the stakes-winning hurdler Ambassador (by Nasrullah). Bourtai's many important descendants include two-time American champion older female Shuvee, 1973 American champion 2-year-old filly Talking Picture, 1987 American champion 3-year-old filly Sacahuista, two-time American champion Slew o' Gold and 2004 English co-champion 2-year-old filly Playful Act.
Mars Shield is also a half sister to Demolition (by Foray II), Akron Gal (by Stimulus) and Merida (by Bold Gallant), all the second dams of modern graded/group stakes winners or the equivalent. Their dam Escutcheon won the 1930 Alabama Stakes and is a half sister to 1922 Test Stakes winner Emotion (by Friar Rock; dam of 1928 American champion 2-year-old male High Strung, by High Time) and to stakes winners Sanford (by Sir Martin) and Flat Iron (by Friar Rock). Escutcheon is also a half sister to Heloise (by Friar Rock), dam of six stakes winners including 1935 American champion 2-year-old male Tintagel (by Sir Gallahad III), and to Hug Again (by Stimulus), dam of the good stakes winners Sun Again (by Sun Teddy; a good sire for Calumet Farm), Fervent (by Blenheim II) and Arrogate (by Goya II).
Escutcheon and her siblings are out of the Isidor mare Affection, who was unplaced in two starts. The next dam in Escutcheon's tail-female line, the Minting mare One I Love, won four stakes races as a juvenile. She is out of The Apple (by Hermit) and is a half sister to Thankful Blossom, third dam of 1924 American co-champion 3-year-old filly Nellie Morse and of Calumet Farm's great stallion Bull Lea.
Books and media
Mars Shield is profiled in Chapter 6 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Last updated: June 17, 2022
Race record
47 starts, 7 wins, 9 seconds, 5 thirds, US$22,530
1937:
- Won Texas Derby (USA, 9FD, Arlington Downs)
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Huron Handicap (USA, 9.5FD, Saratoga)
1938:
- 2nd Santa Margarita Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
Assessments
Rated second among American 3-year-old fillies of 1937 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A brown mare; no further information available.
As a producer
Mars Shield produced six named foals, of which five started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Jonell C. (1944, by Bimelech) is the second dam of 1967 Mazarine Stakes winner Winning Isle.
- Turf Sun (1951, by Sun Again) won the 1954 Jersey Belle Stakes.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Mars Shield was bred by Marshall Field III. She was owned by Ethel V. Mars' Milky Way Farm. She was trained by Robert McGarvey. Prior to the birth of her 1944 filly, Jonell C., she was sold to Henry Knight.
Pedigree notes
Mars Shield is inbred 5x5 to 1867 Derby Stakes winner and seven-time English champion sire Hermit. She is a full sister to Escarpment, dam of the stakes-winning steeplechaser Escarp (by Caruso). She is a half sister to stakes winners By Far (by Bold Gallant) and Strange Device (by Stimulus), dam of stakes winners Abstract (by Isolater) and Metal Mike (by Pilate) and third dam of 1973 Puerto Rican Horse of the Year El Peligroso, two-time Slovakian champion filly Mona Say, and 1979 Delaware Handicap (USA-G1) winner Likely Exchange. Mars Shield is also a half sister to stakes-placed Bourtai (by Stimulus), dam of 1957 American champion 3-year-old filly Bayou (by Hill Prince); 1956 Arlington Matron Handicap winner Delta (by Nasrullah), the 1968 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year; 1956 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Levee (by Hill Prince), the 1970 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year; 1954 Correction Handicap winner Banta (by Some Chance); and the stakes-winning hurdler Ambassador (by Nasrullah). Bourtai's many important descendants include two-time American champion older female Shuvee, 1973 American champion 2-year-old filly Talking Picture, 1987 American champion 3-year-old filly Sacahuista, two-time American champion Slew o' Gold and 2004 English co-champion 2-year-old filly Playful Act.
Mars Shield is also a half sister to Demolition (by Foray II), Akron Gal (by Stimulus) and Merida (by Bold Gallant), all the second dams of modern graded/group stakes winners or the equivalent. Their dam Escutcheon won the 1930 Alabama Stakes and is a half sister to 1922 Test Stakes winner Emotion (by Friar Rock; dam of 1928 American champion 2-year-old male High Strung, by High Time) and to stakes winners Sanford (by Sir Martin) and Flat Iron (by Friar Rock). Escutcheon is also a half sister to Heloise (by Friar Rock), dam of six stakes winners including 1935 American champion 2-year-old male Tintagel (by Sir Gallahad III), and to Hug Again (by Stimulus), dam of the good stakes winners Sun Again (by Sun Teddy; a good sire for Calumet Farm), Fervent (by Blenheim II) and Arrogate (by Goya II).
Escutcheon and her siblings are out of the Isidor mare Affection, who was unplaced in two starts. The next dam in Escutcheon's tail-female line, the Minting mare One I Love, won four stakes races as a juvenile. She is out of The Apple (by Hermit) and is a half sister to Thankful Blossom, third dam of 1924 American co-champion 3-year-old filly Nellie Morse and of Calumet Farm's great stallion Bull Lea.
Books and media
Mars Shield is profiled in Chapter 6 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Last updated: June 17, 2022