As a full brother to two-time American champion But Why Not, Oedipus was a great disappointment on the Flat, but he more than made up for it over the jumps. He became a three-time American steeplechase champion (though he shared his third title with Jam) and made his dam Be Like Mom one of the few mares to produce two offspring capable of winning multiple championships.
Race record
58 starts, 14 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, US$132,405
1950:
1951:
1952:
1953:
Honors
As an individual
A larger, bigger-boned horse than his full sister But Why Not, Oedipus was nonetheless an elegant and smoothly-made individual by steeplechasing standards. A brown, he stood 16 hands. He had a good shoulder and a slightly convex profile. He could be faulted as slightly long in the back but had good manners and was a determined runner when hooked.
Connections
Oedipus was bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm, the breeding and racing operation of Colonel Edward Riley Bradley. Following Bradley's death in 1946, Oedipus passed to the ownership of Ogden Phipps, who had the colt trained for flat racing by C. F. “Cy” White. Oedipus failed to win on the flat as a juvenile. He was then gelded and became part of the steeplechase stable of Phipps's wife, Lillian Bostwick Phipps. As a jumper, he was trained by Mrs. Phipps's brother, the great steeplechase trainer George H. “Pete” Bostwick.
Pedigree notes
Oedipus is inbred 3x3 to Colonel Bradley's foundation sire Black Toney. He is a full brother to 1947 American champion 3-year-old filly and champion handicap female But Why Not, dam of the good California stakes horse How Now (by Beau Max), and to the good stakes mare Renew, second dam of 1966 Suburban Handicap winner Buffle and fourth dam of 1984 American champion older female Princess Rooney. Oedipus is also a half brother to Bim's Blossom (by Bimelech), second dam of three stakes winners including 1965 Del Mar Derby winner Hasty Trip.
Be Like Mom, the dam of Oedipus and his siblings, failed to place in two starts. She is a half sister to Hula Hula (by Polynesian), dam of stakes winner Hula Bend (by Never Bend); second dam of 1985 George Ryder Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Hula Drum, 1986 Doncaster Handicap (AUS-G1) winner Hula Chief, and Grade 2 winner Delicate Ice; and third dam of 1992 American champion older male Pleasant Tap, multiple New Zealand Group 1 winner Love Dance, 1994 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) winner Go for Gin, 1992 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) winner Hulastrike, Grade 2 winner Don't Say Halo, and Australian Group 3 winner Morven Warrior. Be Like Mom is also a half sister to Choosy (by My Request), dam of stakes winner Round Pearl (by Round Table) and third dam of 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor, 1997 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Vivid Angel, and Grade 3 winners Electric Flash and Fine n' Majestic. In addition, Hula Hula is a half sister to Resourceful (by Shut Out), dam of 1964 Seneca Handicap winner The Ibex (by Hill Prince); second dam of 1966 Ladies Handicap winner Destro and Grade 2 winner Tina's Ten; and third dam of French Group 2 winner Balompie, Grade 3 winner Air Display, French Group 3 winner Chem, and Australian Group 3 winner O'Deputy. Finally, Hula Hula is a half sister to In the Purple (by Burgoo King), dam of 1955 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Imagem (by Ace Admiral) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Sissy's Time, and to Broth (by St. Germans), dam of 1952 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Open Show (by Amphitheatre).
Black Helen, the dam of Be Like Mom and her siblings, was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1935. She is a full sister to two-time American champion Bimelech and 1938 Selima Stakes winner Big Hurry and a half sister to 1946 Selima Stakes winner Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and stakes winner Biologist (by Bubbling Over). She is also a half sister to Baby League (by Bubbling Over) and Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), both major stakes producers and ancestresses of major branches of La Troienne's family. La Troienne is a full sister to Lincolnshire Handicap winner Leonidas and a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis, who was sired by Teddy's son Astérus.
Fun facts
Last updated: August 19, 2023
Race record
58 starts, 14 wins, 12 seconds, 9 thirds, US$132,405
1950:
- Won Aqueduct Spring Maiden Steeplechase (USA, about 16FT, Aqueduct)
- Won Broad Hollow Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Belmont)
- Won Shillelah Steeplechase (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga; new course record 4:10-2/5)
- Won Brook Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Temple Gwathmey Handicap (USA, about 18FT, United Hunts)
- 2nd Beverwyck Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Grand National Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 24FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Saratoga Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Saratoga)
1951:
- Won Brook Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Belmont)
- Won Beverwyck Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
- Won Corinthian Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Belmont)
- Won Broad Hollow Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Belmont)
- Won Grand National Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 24FT, Belmont)
- 2nd International Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Georgetown Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Delaware)
- 3rd Saratoga Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Shillelah Steeplechase (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
1952:
- Won Broad Hollow Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Belmont; new course record 3:39-1/5)
- Won Shillelah Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Brook Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, United Hunts)
- 3rd Hitchcock Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Grand National Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 24FT, Belmont)
1953:
- Won Charles L. Appleton Memorial Steeplechase (USA, about 16FT, Belmont)
- 2nd Meadow Brook Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 20FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Shillelah Steeplechase Handicap (USA, about 16FT, Saratoga)
- 3rd Temple Gwathmey Steeplechase (USA, about 18FT, United Hunts)
Honors
- National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1978)
- Aiken Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1977)
- American champion steeplechaser (1950, 1951, 1952)
As an individual
A larger, bigger-boned horse than his full sister But Why Not, Oedipus was nonetheless an elegant and smoothly-made individual by steeplechasing standards. A brown, he stood 16 hands. He had a good shoulder and a slightly convex profile. He could be faulted as slightly long in the back but had good manners and was a determined runner when hooked.
Connections
Oedipus was bred by Idle Hour Stock Farm, the breeding and racing operation of Colonel Edward Riley Bradley. Following Bradley's death in 1946, Oedipus passed to the ownership of Ogden Phipps, who had the colt trained for flat racing by C. F. “Cy” White. Oedipus failed to win on the flat as a juvenile. He was then gelded and became part of the steeplechase stable of Phipps's wife, Lillian Bostwick Phipps. As a jumper, he was trained by Mrs. Phipps's brother, the great steeplechase trainer George H. “Pete” Bostwick.
Pedigree notes
Oedipus is inbred 3x3 to Colonel Bradley's foundation sire Black Toney. He is a full brother to 1947 American champion 3-year-old filly and champion handicap female But Why Not, dam of the good California stakes horse How Now (by Beau Max), and to the good stakes mare Renew, second dam of 1966 Suburban Handicap winner Buffle and fourth dam of 1984 American champion older female Princess Rooney. Oedipus is also a half brother to Bim's Blossom (by Bimelech), second dam of three stakes winners including 1965 Del Mar Derby winner Hasty Trip.
Be Like Mom, the dam of Oedipus and his siblings, failed to place in two starts. She is a half sister to Hula Hula (by Polynesian), dam of stakes winner Hula Bend (by Never Bend); second dam of 1985 George Ryder Stakes (AUS-G1) winner Hula Drum, 1986 Doncaster Handicap (AUS-G1) winner Hula Chief, and Grade 2 winner Delicate Ice; and third dam of 1992 American champion older male Pleasant Tap, multiple New Zealand Group 1 winner Love Dance, 1994 Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) winner Go for Gin, 1992 New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) winner Hulastrike, Grade 2 winner Don't Say Halo, and Australian Group 3 winner Morven Warrior. Be Like Mom is also a half sister to Choosy (by My Request), dam of stakes winner Round Pearl (by Round Table) and third dam of 1983 Canadian Horse of the Year Travelling Victor, 1997 Oak Leaf Stakes (USA-G1) winner Vivid Angel, and Grade 3 winners Electric Flash and Fine n' Majestic. In addition, Hula Hula is a half sister to Resourceful (by Shut Out), dam of 1964 Seneca Handicap winner The Ibex (by Hill Prince); second dam of 1966 Ladies Handicap winner Destro and Grade 2 winner Tina's Ten; and third dam of French Group 2 winner Balompie, Grade 3 winner Air Display, French Group 3 winner Chem, and Australian Group 3 winner O'Deputy. Finally, Hula Hula is a half sister to In the Purple (by Burgoo King), dam of 1955 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Imagem (by Ace Admiral) and third dam of Grade 2 winner Sissy's Time, and to Broth (by St. Germans), dam of 1952 Benjamin Franklin Handicap winner Open Show (by Amphitheatre).
Black Helen, the dam of Be Like Mom and her siblings, was the American champion 3-year-old filly of 1935. She is a full sister to two-time American champion Bimelech and 1938 Selima Stakes winner Big Hurry and a half sister to 1946 Selima Stakes winner Bee Ann Mac (by Blue Larkspur) and stakes winner Biologist (by Bubbling Over). She is also a half sister to Baby League (by Bubbling Over) and Businesslike (by Blue Larkspur), both major stakes producers and ancestresses of major branches of La Troienne's family. La Troienne is a full sister to Lincolnshire Handicap winner Leonidas and a half sister to 1934 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) winner Adargatis, who was sired by Teddy's son Astérus.
Fun facts
- In Greek mythology, the tragic hero Oedipus was ordered abandoned at birth because his father, the king of Thebes, had received an oracle that the baby would grow up to kill his father and marry his mother. The baby was found by shepherds and adopted by the king and queen of Corinth. Oedipus later learned of the prophecy from the oracle of Delphi and left his home in Corinth to avoid fulfilling it, only to end up killing his actual father and marrying his true mother without knowing his relationship to them. When the truth was revealed to him by the blind seer, Tiresias, Oedipus's mother-wife hanged herself and Oedipus blinded himself before going into exile. The story of Oedipus is the basis of Sophocles' great tragedy Oedipus Rex and is also the namesake for the “Oedipus complex,” Sigmund Freud's hypothesis that as part of their psychosexual development, little boys go through a stage of subconsciously wishing to rid themselves of their fathers and possess their mothers. (The fact that Oedipus tried to avoid doing precisely those things is apparently an irony that Freud missed.)
- Oedipus swept the Steeplechasers' Triple Crown, consisting of the Broad Hollow Steeplechase, the Brook Steeplechase and the Grand National Steeplechase, in 1951. He was only the second steeplechaser to do so, following Bushranger in 1936.
- Oedipus was the first of six winners of the American Grand National owned by Lillian Phipps. The others were Neji (1955, 1957, and 1958), Mako (1965), Top Bid (1973), Straight and True (1976), and Le Ronceray (1987). Of these horses, only Le Ronceray failed to earn honors as American champion steeplechaser.
Last updated: August 19, 2023