Quick as Lightning (USA)
1977 – 1981
Buckpasser (USA) x Clear Ceiling (USA), by Bold Ruler (USA)
Family 5-f
1977 – 1981
Buckpasser (USA) x Clear Ceiling (USA), by Bold Ruler (USA)
Family 5-f
A filly so crooked that owner-breeder Ogden Mills Phipps feared she would not stay sound if raced under American conditions, Quick as Lightning was one of the few Phipps-breds to be sent to Europe for racing. She justified her owner's decision by winning the 1980 One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1) but, sadly, did not produce any offspring before her death.
Race record
11 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, US$194,632 (includes converted English earnings)
1979:
1980:
1981:
Assessments
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Quick as Lightning as an “average” winner of the One Thousand Guineas.
Rated at 115 pounds by Timeform as a juvenile, 5 pounds below divisional highweight Aryenne.
Rated at 123 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, 8 pounds below divisional highweight Detroit.
Rated at 123 pounds on the International Classification as a 3-year-old, 8 pounds below divisional highweight Detroit and sixth among English-raced 3-year-old fillies of 1980.
As an individual
A bay filly, Quick as Lightning was crooked but nonetheless attractive with a good body. She was known for being slow at the break but had good acceleration.
As a producer
Quick as Lightning died without issue.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Quick as Lightning was bred and owned by Ogden Mills Phipps. She was trained by John Dunlop while in England and by Angel Penna in the United States. She died as a 4-year-old.
Pedigree notes
Quick as Lightning is inbred 5x5 to two-time American champion Sweep, a two-time champion sire and broodmare sire in the United States. She is a half sister to 1981 Waterford Candelabra Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Stratosphere (by Majestic Light) and to stakes winner Infinite (by Majestic Light), dam of stakes winner Polish Treaty (by Danzig) and third dam of 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Hot Cha Cha and 2021 Longines Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bella Sofia. Quick as Lightning is also a half sister to How High the Moon (by Majestic Light), second dam of 2000 American champion sprinter Kona Gold, and to Pure Profit (by Key to the Mint), dam of 1995 American champion older female Inside Information (by Private Account), multiple Grade 1 winner Educated Risk (by Mr. Prospector) and listed stakes winner Diamond (by Mr. Prospector). Pure Profit is also the second dam of six stakes winners including 2005 American champion 3-year-old filly Smuggler and Grade 3 winners Philanthropist, Defer and Reload and is the third dam of Grade 2 winner Gone Astray.
Quick as Lightning and her siblings are out of Clear Ceiling, a winning full sister to 1967 Hopeful Stakes winner What a Pleasure, a two-time American champion sire; to Bold Queen, winner of the 1964 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes; and to 1962 Schuylerville Stakes winner Bold Princess, dam of multiple Grade I winner Intrepid Hero (by Forli), 1969 Selima Stakes winner Predictable (by Tatán), stakes winner Primed (by Pronto) and the good sire Sovereign Dancer (by Northern Dancer). Clear Ceiling is also a full sister to Pleasant Flight, dam of Grade 2 winner Flitalong (by Herbager).
Grey Flight, the dam of Clear Ceiling, also produced two-time American champion Misty Morn (by Princequillo), the 1963 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, and stakes winners Full Flight (by Ambiorix), Gray Phantom (by Ambiorix), Misty Flight (by Princequillo), Misty Day (by Nasrullah) and Signore (by Ribot). A daughter of 1936 Derby Stakes winner and 1946 American champion sire Mahmoud, Grey Flight herself was a juvenile stakes winner and is a half sister to Just-a-Minute (by Can't Wait), dam of 1950 Del Mar Futurity winner Patch (by Dogpatch), 1956 Las Flores Handicap winner On the Move (by Mafosta) and 1953 La Jolla Handicap winner Threesome (by Dogpatch). Grey Flight is also a half sister to Planetrix (by Ambiorix), dam of the minor stakes winner Son Duke (by Marcador) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Soft Victory and Grade 3 winner He's Vivacious.
Fun facts
Last updated: May 6, 2023
Race record
11 starts, 3 wins, 5 seconds, 1 third, US$194,632 (includes converted English earnings)
1979:
- Won Fillies' Mile (ENG-G3, 8FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Waterford Candelabra Stakes (ENG-L, 7FT, Goodwood)
1980:
- Won One Thousand Guineas (ENG-G1, 8FT, Newmarket)
- 2nd Coronation Stakes (ENG-G1, 8FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Fred Darling Stakes (ENG-G3, 7f+60yT, Newbury)
1981:
- 3rd La Prevoyante Handicap (second division) (USA, 9FT, Calder)
Assessments
In their book A Century of Champions (1999, Portway Press), British experts John Randall and Tony Morris rated Quick as Lightning as an “average” winner of the One Thousand Guineas.
Rated at 115 pounds by Timeform as a juvenile, 5 pounds below divisional highweight Aryenne.
Rated at 123 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, 8 pounds below divisional highweight Detroit.
Rated at 123 pounds on the International Classification as a 3-year-old, 8 pounds below divisional highweight Detroit and sixth among English-raced 3-year-old fillies of 1980.
As an individual
A bay filly, Quick as Lightning was crooked but nonetheless attractive with a good body. She was known for being slow at the break but had good acceleration.
As a producer
Quick as Lightning died without issue.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Quick as Lightning was bred and owned by Ogden Mills Phipps. She was trained by John Dunlop while in England and by Angel Penna in the United States. She died as a 4-year-old.
Pedigree notes
Quick as Lightning is inbred 5x5 to two-time American champion Sweep, a two-time champion sire and broodmare sire in the United States. She is a half sister to 1981 Waterford Candelabra Stakes (ENG-G3) winner Stratosphere (by Majestic Light) and to stakes winner Infinite (by Majestic Light), dam of stakes winner Polish Treaty (by Danzig) and third dam of 2009 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes (USA-G1) winner Hot Cha Cha and 2021 Longines Test Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bella Sofia. Quick as Lightning is also a half sister to How High the Moon (by Majestic Light), second dam of 2000 American champion sprinter Kona Gold, and to Pure Profit (by Key to the Mint), dam of 1995 American champion older female Inside Information (by Private Account), multiple Grade 1 winner Educated Risk (by Mr. Prospector) and listed stakes winner Diamond (by Mr. Prospector). Pure Profit is also the second dam of six stakes winners including 2005 American champion 3-year-old filly Smuggler and Grade 3 winners Philanthropist, Defer and Reload and is the third dam of Grade 2 winner Gone Astray.
Quick as Lightning and her siblings are out of Clear Ceiling, a winning full sister to 1967 Hopeful Stakes winner What a Pleasure, a two-time American champion sire; to Bold Queen, winner of the 1964 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes; and to 1962 Schuylerville Stakes winner Bold Princess, dam of multiple Grade I winner Intrepid Hero (by Forli), 1969 Selima Stakes winner Predictable (by Tatán), stakes winner Primed (by Pronto) and the good sire Sovereign Dancer (by Northern Dancer). Clear Ceiling is also a full sister to Pleasant Flight, dam of Grade 2 winner Flitalong (by Herbager).
Grey Flight, the dam of Clear Ceiling, also produced two-time American champion Misty Morn (by Princequillo), the 1963 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, and stakes winners Full Flight (by Ambiorix), Gray Phantom (by Ambiorix), Misty Flight (by Princequillo), Misty Day (by Nasrullah) and Signore (by Ribot). A daughter of 1936 Derby Stakes winner and 1946 American champion sire Mahmoud, Grey Flight herself was a juvenile stakes winner and is a half sister to Just-a-Minute (by Can't Wait), dam of 1950 Del Mar Futurity winner Patch (by Dogpatch), 1956 Las Flores Handicap winner On the Move (by Mafosta) and 1953 La Jolla Handicap winner Threesome (by Dogpatch). Grey Flight is also a half sister to Planetrix (by Ambiorix), dam of the minor stakes winner Son Duke (by Marcador) and second dam of Grade 2 winner Soft Victory and Grade 3 winner He's Vivacious.
Fun facts
- Quick as Lightning was the only major stakes winner among the 33 named foals produced by mating Buckpasser to daughters of Bold Ruler. The only other stakes winner from this cross, 1979 Cabrillo Handicap winner Quick Turnover, was bred along similar lines to Quick as Lightning as his dam Bold Consort is a granddaughter of Grey Flight.
- A 12-1 shot in the One Thousand Guineas, Quick as Lightning was ridden to victory by Brian Rouse, who reportedly got the mount after four other jockeys had turned down the chance to ride the filly.
Last updated: May 6, 2023