Our Mims (USA)
March 8, 1974 – December 9, 2003
Herbager (FR) x Sweet Tooth (USA), by On-and-On (USA)
Family 9-c
March 8, 1974 – December 9, 2003
Herbager (FR) x Sweet Tooth (USA), by On-and-On (USA)
Family 9-c
Although she was a disappointment as a broodmare, champion Our Mims became even better known for what she accomplished off the track than on it. Found neglected and in poor shape by Kentucky horsewoman Jeanne Mirabito, the mare had been left in a cattle field with no feed or veterinary care after having become barren five years earlier. Mirabito took care of her and eventually was able to adopt her. After nursing Our Mims back to health, Mirabito took her on the road to area equine events as a four-footed ambassador for the cause of racehorse retirement and adoption. Following Our Mims' death, Mirabito was able to raise enough support to found the Our Mims Retirement Haven, a rescue caring primarily for pensioned Thoroughbred broodmares. Our Mims also continues to contribute to the Thoroughbred through the descendants of her daughters.
Race record
18 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$368,034
1976:
1977:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old filly (1977)
Assessments
Rated at 110 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1976, 9 pounds below divisional champion Sensational.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1977, 1 pound above second-rated Cum Laude Laurie.
As an individual
A tall, handsome bay mare standing 16.1½ hands at the end of her 3-year-old season, Our Mims was rather angular and was ruggedly made with a deep girth. She had a dominant, aggressive personality. She preferred to come from well off the pace when racing. She was forced into retirement from racing after fracturing her right front cannon bone in August 1978.
As a producer
Our Mims produced 11 named foals, of which six started and four won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Our Mims was bred and owned by Calumet Farm (Admiral Gene Markey and Lucille Wright Markey). She was trained by John Veitch. She was sold to Narvick International for US$190,000 at Calumet Farm's 1991 dispersal sale and was donated to ReRun in 1999, becoming Mirabito's property shortly afterward. After her death from colic, Our Mims was buried at Calumet Farm.
Pedigree notes
Our Mims is outcrossed through five generations. Produced from 1977 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth, she is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and 1990 American champion sire Alydar (by Raise a Native), a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. Our Mims is also a half sister to 1980 Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sugar and Spice (by Key to the Mint), dam of Grade 2 winner Cinnamon Sugar (by Wild Again) and stakes winner Sure Turn (by Best Turn), second dam of Grade 3 winner Allspice and third dam of Grade 3 winner Country Flavor. In addition, Our Mims is a half sister to Gleaming Smile (by Gleaming), dam of stakes winner Grin (by Danzig) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Wildly Joyous, and to 'N Everything Nice (by Damascus), second dam of Grade 3 winner China Storm.
Our Mims' family descends from Calumet foundation mare Blue Delight (by Blue Larkspur), who produced three winners of the Kentucky Oaks: Real Delight (1952), Bubbley (1953) and Princess Turia (1956). The last-named mare, a daughter of Heliopolis, produced 1968 co-champion 3-year-old male Forward Pass (by On-and-On), while two-time American champion Real Delight (a daughter of Bull Lea and full sister to Bubbley) is the second dam of 1982 champion 3-year-old filly Christmas Past (by Grey Dawn II) and the third dam of Our Mims and her siblings.
Books and media
Our Mims and Jeanne Mirabito are the subjects of a documentary called One Day, which tells of their special relationship. Produced and directed by Victoria Racimo, the documentary premiered at Equus Run Vineyards on October 9, 2015, and was later presented during the 2015 Breeders' Cup Festival. Sales of the DVD benefit the Our Mims Retirement Haven.
Fun facts
Last updated: September 19, 2023
Race record
18 starts, 6 wins, 6 seconds, 1 third, US$368,034
1976:
- 2nd Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G2, 9FD, Aqueduct)
- 2nd Tempted Stakes (USA, 8FD, Aqueduct)
1977:
- Won Delaware Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Delaware)
- Won Alabama Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
- Won Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Fantasy Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Oaklawn Park)
- 2nd Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Ashland Stakes (USA-G3, about 7FD, Keeneland)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old filly (1977)
Assessments
Rated at 110 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juveniles of 1976, 9 pounds below divisional champion Sensational.
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American 3-year-old fillies of 1977, 1 pound above second-rated Cum Laude Laurie.
As an individual
A tall, handsome bay mare standing 16.1½ hands at the end of her 3-year-old season, Our Mims was rather angular and was ruggedly made with a deep girth. She had a dominant, aggressive personality. She preferred to come from well off the pace when racing. She was forced into retirement from racing after fracturing her right front cannon bone in August 1978.
As a producer
Our Mims produced 11 named foals, of which six started and four won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Heavenly Blue (1981, by Raise a Native) is the second dam of 2003 Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Continuously.
- Mimbet (1983, by Raise a Native) produced 1997 Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1) winner Elmhurst (by Wild Again).
- Mim's Bid (1985, by Spectacular Bid) is the dam of multiple stakes winner Goodbar (by Sunny's Halo). She is the second dam of 2007 Grande Prêmio Associação Brasileira de Criadores e Proprietários do Cavalo de Corrida (BRZ-G1) winner Fast Look and Grade 3 winner Singanothersong.
- Mims Return (1993, by Woodman) is the second dam of Argentine Group 3 winner Van Perpignan.
Connections
Our Mims was bred and owned by Calumet Farm (Admiral Gene Markey and Lucille Wright Markey). She was trained by John Veitch. She was sold to Narvick International for US$190,000 at Calumet Farm's 1991 dispersal sale and was donated to ReRun in 1999, becoming Mirabito's property shortly afterward. After her death from colic, Our Mims was buried at Calumet Farm.
Pedigree notes
Our Mims is outcrossed through five generations. Produced from 1977 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Sweet Tooth, she is a half sister to multiple Grade 1 winner and 1990 American champion sire Alydar (by Raise a Native), a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. Our Mims is also a half sister to 1980 Mother Goose Stakes (USA-G1) winner Sugar and Spice (by Key to the Mint), dam of Grade 2 winner Cinnamon Sugar (by Wild Again) and stakes winner Sure Turn (by Best Turn), second dam of Grade 3 winner Allspice and third dam of Grade 3 winner Country Flavor. In addition, Our Mims is a half sister to Gleaming Smile (by Gleaming), dam of stakes winner Grin (by Danzig) and second dam of Grade 3 winner Wildly Joyous, and to 'N Everything Nice (by Damascus), second dam of Grade 3 winner China Storm.
Our Mims' family descends from Calumet foundation mare Blue Delight (by Blue Larkspur), who produced three winners of the Kentucky Oaks: Real Delight (1952), Bubbley (1953) and Princess Turia (1956). The last-named mare, a daughter of Heliopolis, produced 1968 co-champion 3-year-old male Forward Pass (by On-and-On), while two-time American champion Real Delight (a daughter of Bull Lea and full sister to Bubbley) is the second dam of 1982 champion 3-year-old filly Christmas Past (by Grey Dawn II) and the third dam of Our Mims and her siblings.
Books and media
Our Mims and Jeanne Mirabito are the subjects of a documentary called One Day, which tells of their special relationship. Produced and directed by Victoria Racimo, the documentary premiered at Equus Run Vineyards on October 9, 2015, and was later presented during the 2015 Breeders' Cup Festival. Sales of the DVD benefit the Our Mims Retirement Haven.
Fun facts
- Our Mims' name came from the pet name of Melinda Markey Bene, daughter of Admiral Gene Markey and stepddaughter of Calumet Farm owner Lucille Wright. Following Our Mims' victory in the 1977 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1), Melinda Bene was present to receive her namesake's trophy on behalf of Calumet Farm.
- Our Mims was the fifth of six Calumet homebreds to take the Coaching Club American Oaks, a record both as a breeder and as an owner. Calumet's other winners of the filly Classic were Twilight Tear (1944), Wistful (1949), Real Delight (1952), A Glitter (1958) and Davona Dale (1979).
- Our Mims is the only horse buried in Calumet Farm's famous equine cemetery who was not owned by the farm at the time of death.
- The first mare to become a resident at the Our Mims Retirement Haven was Our Mims' half sister, Sugar and Spice. Our Mims' grandson Elmhurst is a current resident.
- The Our Mims Stakes at Delaware Park was a prep for the Delaware Oaks. It was last contested in 2016.
Last updated: September 19, 2023