Born the year following her stakes-winning half sister Erin, Potheen was nowhere near the same class as a race mare but was even better as a broodmare. The second mare to win Kentucky Broodmare of the Year honors, she produced four stakes winners including a multiple champion. Unfortunately, none of her daughters bred on with anything close to the same level of success, and her sons were equally undistinguished as sires.
Race record
9 starts, 1 wins, 0 seconds, 4 thirds, US$1,250
1930:
As an individual
A brown mare; no other information available.
As a producer
Potheen produced 12 named foals, of which 11 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Potheen was bred by Harry Payne Whitney. She was purchased for a mere US$500 by Warren Wright, Jr., following her racing career and was owned by his Calumet Farm during her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Potheen is inbred 3x3 to 1907 American champion 3-year-old male Peter Pan and 5x5 to two-time American champion sire Bonnie Scotland. She is a half sister to 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin, dam of 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman (by Sir Gallahad III) and stakes winners Mag Mell (by Pompey) and Eire (by Hard Tack). Erin is also the second dam of four stakes winners including 1950 Sysonby Handicap winner The Irishman and 1944 Demoiselle Stakes winner Drumuir and of 1975 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Shenanigans. She is also the third dam of 1975 American champion 3-year-old filly Ruffian, 1954 American champion 2-year-old filly High Voltage, 1963 American co-champion juvenile filly Castle Forbes and the good racer and sire Icecapade. Returning to Potheen, she is also a half sister to Weno (by Whisk Broom II), second dam of the top stayer Intent.
Potheen and her siblings are out of Rosie O'Grady, generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady, in turn, is a half sister to Rowes Bud (by Broomstick; dam of 1927 Champagne Stakes winner Oh Say, by Dis Donc, and 1932 Tremont Stakes winner Balios, by Chicle) and is out of Cherokee Rose II (by Peter Pan), a full sister to the fine racer and sire Pennant and a half sister to the classy sprinter Iron Mask (by Disguise) and the stakes-winning colt Transvaal (by Peter Pan's sire Commando).
Cherokee Rose II was produced from the Royal Hampton mare Royal Rose, who was conceived in England and foaled in the United States following the importation of her dam Belle Rose (by Beaudesert) by James R. Keene. A stakes winner in her own right, Royal Rose is a half sister to Pink Domino (by Domino), dam of two-time American champion and two-time American leading sire Sweep (by Ben Brush).
Fun facts
Last updated: August 7, 2021
Race record
9 starts, 1 wins, 0 seconds, 4 thirds, US$1,250
1930:
- 3rd Tomboy Handicap (USA)
As an individual
A brown mare; no other information available.
As a producer
Potheen produced 12 named foals, of which 11 started and nine won. Her important foals are as follow:
- Theen (1935, by Sickle) won the 1937 Arlington Lassie Stakes but was a disappointing broodmare.
- Pot o' Luck (1942, by Chance Play) won seven stakes races including the 1945 Classic Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup. He sired 4 stakes winners from 119 foals.
- Bewitch (1945, by Bull Lea) was the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1947 and the American champion handicap female of 1949.
- Hoyden (1946, by Blenheim II) is the second dam of 1971 Santa Ysabel Stakes winner Balcony's Babe and the third dam of Venezuelan Group III winner El Aventurero.
- Lot o Luck (1947, by Chance Play) won the 1950 Peabody Memorial. He died without issue.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Potheen was bred by Harry Payne Whitney. She was purchased for a mere US$500 by Warren Wright, Jr., following her racing career and was owned by his Calumet Farm during her broodmare career.
Pedigree notes
Potheen is inbred 3x3 to 1907 American champion 3-year-old male Peter Pan and 5x5 to two-time American champion sire Bonnie Scotland. She is a half sister to 1930 Gazelle Stakes winner Erin, dam of 1940 Pimlico Futurity winner Bold Irishman (by Sir Gallahad III) and stakes winners Mag Mell (by Pompey) and Eire (by Hard Tack). Erin is also the second dam of four stakes winners including 1950 Sysonby Handicap winner The Irishman and 1944 Demoiselle Stakes winner Drumuir and of 1975 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Shenanigans. She is also the third dam of 1975 American champion 3-year-old filly Ruffian, 1954 American champion 2-year-old filly High Voltage, 1963 American co-champion juvenile filly Castle Forbes and the good racer and sire Icecapade. Returning to Potheen, she is also a half sister to Weno (by Whisk Broom II), second dam of the top stayer Intent.
Potheen and her siblings are out of Rosie O'Grady, generally considered the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1917. Rosie O'Grady, in turn, is a half sister to Rowes Bud (by Broomstick; dam of 1927 Champagne Stakes winner Oh Say, by Dis Donc, and 1932 Tremont Stakes winner Balios, by Chicle) and is out of Cherokee Rose II (by Peter Pan), a full sister to the fine racer and sire Pennant and a half sister to the classy sprinter Iron Mask (by Disguise) and the stakes-winning colt Transvaal (by Peter Pan's sire Commando).
Cherokee Rose II was produced from the Royal Hampton mare Royal Rose, who was conceived in England and foaled in the United States following the importation of her dam Belle Rose (by Beaudesert) by James R. Keene. A stakes winner in her own right, Royal Rose is a half sister to Pink Domino (by Domino), dam of two-time American champion and two-time American leading sire Sweep (by Ben Brush).
Fun facts
- Potheen takes her name from an illegal Irish whiskey, typically made from potatoes in an unlicensed still.
Last updated: August 7, 2021