Pistol Packer (USA)
May 9, 1968 – c. 1985
Gun Bow (USA) x George’s Girl II (GB), by Ossian (GB)
Family 14-f
May 9, 1968 – c. 1985
Gun Bow (USA) x George’s Girl II (GB), by Ossian (GB)
Family 14-f
Much the best racehorse sired by the high-class Gun Bow, Pistol Packer was turned down by American buyers due to feet that were deemed too flat to withstand American dirt racing, Instead, she was purchased for export to France and proved ideally suited to racing conditions there. She was denied a win in the 1971 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by Mill Reef, one of the all-time greats of European racing, but she was nonetheless the best French-based race mare of her time and proved quite capable of handling high-class males as a 4-year-old before injury robbed her of her best form. She was a better racehorse than broodmare.
Race record
12 starts, 7 wins, 3 second, 2 thirds
1971:
1972:
Honors
Assessments
Rated at 133 pounds as a 3-year-old and 125 pounds as a 4-year-old by Timeform.
As an individual
An attractive chestnut mare with powerful hindquarters, Pistol Packer was bought cheaply and sent to France to race because her feet were considered too flat for American dirt racing. She was struck by another horse while pulling up from her victory in the 1972 Prix d’Harcourt, causing an injury that shortened her career. She was thoroughly genuine and determined as a racehorse.
As a producer
Pistol Packer produced six named foals, of which four started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Pennsylvania, Pistol Packer was bred by Doe Run, Inc., which sold her for US$15,000 as a yearling. She was owned by Ghislaine Head and trained by Alec Head. As a broodmare, she was owned by Société Aland. Her last foal, the Nureyev colt Pindare, was foaled in 1985.
Pedigree notes
Pistol Packer is inbred 3x4 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. She is also inbred 5x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Son-in-Law, a notable stayer in his own right and an important source of stamina. She is one of only three foals produced from multiple English stakes winner George’s Girl II, a daughter of the unraced Royal Charger horse Ossian.
George’s Girl II is a full sister to 1962 Phoenix Stakes winner Irish Chorus, dam of 1974 English champion sprinter Saritamer (by Dancer’s Image), second dam of 1980 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, JPN-G1) winner Hawaiian Image and Japanese Group 3 winner Pro Made, and third dam of Italian Group 3 winner Garozzo. She is also a half sister to Streak of Light (by Eudaemon), dam of stakes winner One Night Stand II (by Gala Performance), and to Oblige (by Mossborough), dam of French stakes winner Gargano (by Ragusa) and Irish steeplechase stakes winner Staplestown (by Rarity). In addition, she is a half sister to stakes-placed Time to Leave (by Khalkis), dam of English stakes winner Foiled Again (by Bold Lad [IRE]) and third dam of French Group 2 winner Ascension.
George’s Girl II and her siblings are out of Dawn Chorus (by 1946 Jockey Club Stakes winner Rising Light, a son of Hyperion), whose half sister Noblesse (by Mossborough) is a two-time champion in England and the dam of Group 3 winners Where You Lead (by Raise a Native) and Carezza (by Ribot) and the second dam of English Group 3 winner and 1997 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Slightly Dangerous and French Group 3 winner I Will Follow. The next dam in Pistol Packer’s tail-female line, Duke’s Delight (by 1937 Coronation Cup winner His Grace, a full brother to Blenheim II) is a half sister to English stakes winners Arcturus (by Niccolo dell’Arca) and Yellow Moon (by Trigo).
Last updated: August 12, 2023
Race record
12 starts, 7 wins, 3 second, 2 thirds
1971:
- Won Prix Saint-Alary (FR-G1, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (FR-G1, 2100mT, Chantilly)
- Won Prix Vermeille (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix de la Nonette (FR-G3, 2100mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix Chloe (FR-G3, 1800mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (FR-G1, 2400mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix Imprudence (FR, 1400mT, Maisons-Laffitte)
1972:
- Won Prix d'Harcourt (FR-G2, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Prix Gontaut-Biron (FR-G3, 2000mT, Deauville)
- 3rd Prix Foy (FR-G3, 2200mT, Longchamp)
Honors
- French champion 3-year-old filly (1971)
- French champion older female (1972)
Assessments
Rated at 133 pounds as a 3-year-old and 125 pounds as a 4-year-old by Timeform.
As an individual
An attractive chestnut mare with powerful hindquarters, Pistol Packer was bought cheaply and sent to France to race because her feet were considered too flat for American dirt racing. She was struck by another horse while pulling up from her victory in the 1972 Prix d’Harcourt, causing an injury that shortened her career. She was thoroughly genuine and determined as a racehorse.
As a producer
Pistol Packer produced six named foals, of which four started and won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Primatie (1975, by Vaguely Noble) never raced but is the second dam of 1994 Coronation Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Kissing Cousin, multiple Japanese Group 2 winner Never Bouchon, English Group 3 winner Apprehension, and French Group 3 winner Sweet Folly.
- Palmarolla (1976, by Sir Gaylord) won four stakes races in France as a 3-year-old but left no issue.
- Pallanza (1983, by Lyphard) won one of her 12 starts and placed in three listed stakes races in France. She is the dam of French listed stakes winner Passionnee (by Woodman), dam in turn of French Group 3 winner Passager (by Anabaa).
Connections
Foaled in Pennsylvania, Pistol Packer was bred by Doe Run, Inc., which sold her for US$15,000 as a yearling. She was owned by Ghislaine Head and trained by Alec Head. As a broodmare, she was owned by Société Aland. Her last foal, the Nureyev colt Pindare, was foaled in 1985.
Pedigree notes
Pistol Packer is inbred 3x4 to six-time English/Irish champion sire Hyperion, winner of the 1933 Derby Stakes and St. Leger Stakes. She is also inbred 5x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Son-in-Law, a notable stayer in his own right and an important source of stamina. She is one of only three foals produced from multiple English stakes winner George’s Girl II, a daughter of the unraced Royal Charger horse Ossian.
George’s Girl II is a full sister to 1962 Phoenix Stakes winner Irish Chorus, dam of 1974 English champion sprinter Saritamer (by Dancer’s Image), second dam of 1980 Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, JPN-G1) winner Hawaiian Image and Japanese Group 3 winner Pro Made, and third dam of Italian Group 3 winner Garozzo. She is also a half sister to Streak of Light (by Eudaemon), dam of stakes winner One Night Stand II (by Gala Performance), and to Oblige (by Mossborough), dam of French stakes winner Gargano (by Ragusa) and Irish steeplechase stakes winner Staplestown (by Rarity). In addition, she is a half sister to stakes-placed Time to Leave (by Khalkis), dam of English stakes winner Foiled Again (by Bold Lad [IRE]) and third dam of French Group 2 winner Ascension.
George’s Girl II and her siblings are out of Dawn Chorus (by 1946 Jockey Club Stakes winner Rising Light, a son of Hyperion), whose half sister Noblesse (by Mossborough) is a two-time champion in England and the dam of Group 3 winners Where You Lead (by Raise a Native) and Carezza (by Ribot) and the second dam of English Group 3 winner and 1997 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Slightly Dangerous and French Group 3 winner I Will Follow. The next dam in Pistol Packer’s tail-female line, Duke’s Delight (by 1937 Coronation Cup winner His Grace, a full brother to Blenheim II) is a half sister to English stakes winners Arcturus (by Niccolo dell’Arca) and Yellow Moon (by Trigo).
Last updated: August 12, 2023