Rags to Riches (USA)
February 27, 2004 – Living
A.P. Indy (USA) x Better Than Honour (USA), by Deputy Minister (CAN)
Family 8-f
February 27, 2004 – Living
A.P. Indy (USA) x Better Than Honour (USA), by Deputy Minister (CAN)
Family 8-f
On her pedigree and connections, Rags to Riches had to be one of the most misnamed Thoroughbreds of all time. If anything, she exceeded her antecedents by her racetrack performance. Her four Grade 1 wins at 3 included the Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) and the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1), and she overcame both a stumbling start and a long drive against eventual Horse of the Year Curlin in the latter race to become the first Belmont-winning filly since Tanya in 1905. Unfortunately, she has been a disappointing broodmare.
Race record
7 starts, 5 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,342,528
2007:
Honors
Assessment
Rated at 123 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, making her the top-rated filly or mare in North America.
Rated at 123 pounds for her performances in the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes on the 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for the Northern Hemisphere, 8 pounds below overall highweight Manduro but best among fillies and mares on dirt.
As an individual
A well-balanced chestnut mare, Rags to Riches has an athletic build and a fiery, strongly dominant personality which has mellowed somewhat since her retirement from racing. She was an excellent mover as a racehorse. She came out of the 2007 Gazelle Stakes (USA-G1) with a hairline fracture in her right front pastern. She resumed training in 2008 but reinjured the same pastern before starting again.
As a producer
As of July 2023, Rags to Riches has produced seven named foals. Five have started, but only two have won. Her best runner has been Rhett Butler (by Galileo), the Hungarian Horse of the Year, champion older horse, and champion stayer of 2016. Her last named foal is the 2016 Australia filly Stratification; since then, she has produced six foals that were never named.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Rags to Riches was bred by Skara Glen Stables. She sold to Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor for US$1.9 million at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. She was trained by Todd Pletcher except for two starts in which Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy was the trainer of record.
Pedigree notes
Rags to Riches is inbred 5x5 to Nasrullah, a five-time champion sire in the United States. She is a half sister to 2006 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold), to 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Casino Drive (by Mineshaft), and to 2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon (USA-L) winner Man of Iron (by Giant's Causeway). She is also a half sister to Teeming (by Storm Cat), dam of 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming (by Smart Strike) and listed stakes winners Cascading (by A.P. Indy) and Treasuring (by Smart Strike). Teeming is also the second dam of 2023 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Arcangelo, Grade 2 winners Cezanne and Tyson, and Turkish Group 3 winner Arabian Hope. Returning to Rags to Riches, she is also a half sister to Tiffany's Honour (by Street Cry), dam of Grade 3 winner Greatest Honour (by Tapit).
Rags to Riches was produced from 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, winner of the 1998 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G2) during her own racing days. Better Than Honour is a full sister to 2000 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Turnberry Isle and a half sister to 1995 Prix d'Astarte (FR-G2) winner Smolensk (by Danzig), the dam of Grade 3 winner Can the Man (by Into Mischief) and listed stakes winner Martha's Moon (by Malibu Moon). She is also a half sister to Group 1-placed Maryinsky (by Sadler's Wells), dam of 2007 European co-champion 3-year-old filly Peeping Fawn (by Danehill) and 2007 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Thewayyouare (by Kingmambo); to Color of Love (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of Brazilian Group G2 winner Super Desejada and the third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Desejada Normand; and to Butterfly Blue (by Sadler's Wells), second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner America and multiple French Group 3 winner Ecrivain and third dam of 2020 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Paris Lights and multiple Grade 3 winner First Captain. In addition, Better Than Honour is a half sister to Goldminess (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Daimei Princess.
Better Than Honour is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride (by Blushing Groom), who is out of 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Best in Show and is, thus, a half sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski (by Sir Ivor) and to the excellent broodmare Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), dam of multiple English/Irish champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and of 1989/90 South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer) as well as Irish Group 3 winner Solar (by Halo). Returning to Blush With Pride, she is also a half sister to English Group 2 winner Giegud (by Sir Ivor) and to Irish Group 3 winner Monroe (by Sir Ivor), dam of 1997 European champion 2-year-old male Xaar (by Zafonic), French Group 3 winners Masterclass (by The Minstrel) and Diese (by Diesis), and listed stakes winner Ile de Jinsky (by Ile de Bourbon). In addition, Blush With Pride is a half sister to stakes-placed Minnie Hauk, dam of 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Aviance (by Northfields) and 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells).
Fun facts
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Churchill Downs in 2007. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 29, 2024
Race record
7 starts, 5 wins, 1 second, 0 thirds, US$1,342,528
2007:
- Won Las Virgenes Stakes (USA-G1, 8FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Santa Anita Oaks (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Gazelle Stakes (USA-G1, 9FD, Belmont)
Honors
- Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old filly (2007)
- International Federation of Horseracing Authorities World Champion 3-year-old filly (2007)
Assessment
Rated at 123 pounds by Timeform as a 3-year-old, making her the top-rated filly or mare in North America.
Rated at 123 pounds for her performances in the Kentucky Oaks and Belmont Stakes on the 2007 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings for the Northern Hemisphere, 8 pounds below overall highweight Manduro but best among fillies and mares on dirt.
As an individual
A well-balanced chestnut mare, Rags to Riches has an athletic build and a fiery, strongly dominant personality which has mellowed somewhat since her retirement from racing. She was an excellent mover as a racehorse. She came out of the 2007 Gazelle Stakes (USA-G1) with a hairline fracture in her right front pastern. She resumed training in 2008 but reinjured the same pastern before starting again.
As a producer
As of July 2023, Rags to Riches has produced seven named foals. Five have started, but only two have won. Her best runner has been Rhett Butler (by Galileo), the Hungarian Horse of the Year, champion older horse, and champion stayer of 2016. Her last named foal is the 2016 Australia filly Stratification; since then, she has produced six foals that were never named.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Rags to Riches was bred by Skara Glen Stables. She sold to Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor for US$1.9 million at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. She was trained by Todd Pletcher except for two starts in which Pletcher assistant Mike McCarthy was the trainer of record.
Pedigree notes
Rags to Riches is inbred 5x5 to Nasrullah, a five-time champion sire in the United States. She is a half sister to 2006 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Jazil (by Seeking the Gold), to 2008 Peter Pan Stakes (USA-G2) winner Casino Drive (by Mineshaft), and to 2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon (USA-L) winner Man of Iron (by Giant's Causeway). She is also a half sister to Teeming (by Storm Cat), dam of 2013 Hollywood Starlet Stakes (USA-G1) winner Streaming (by Smart Strike) and listed stakes winners Cascading (by A.P. Indy) and Treasuring (by Smart Strike). Teeming is also the second dam of 2023 Belmont Stakes (USA-G1) winner Arcangelo, Grade 2 winners Cezanne and Tyson, and Turkish Group 3 winner Arabian Hope. Returning to Rags to Riches, she is also a half sister to Tiffany's Honour (by Street Cry), dam of Grade 3 winner Greatest Honour (by Tapit).
Rags to Riches was produced from 2007 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour, winner of the 1998 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G2) during her own racing days. Better Than Honour is a full sister to 2000 Beresford Stakes (IRE-G3) winner Turnberry Isle and a half sister to 1995 Prix d'Astarte (FR-G2) winner Smolensk (by Danzig), the dam of Grade 3 winner Can the Man (by Into Mischief) and listed stakes winner Martha's Moon (by Malibu Moon). She is also a half sister to Group 1-placed Maryinsky (by Sadler's Wells), dam of 2007 European co-champion 3-year-old filly Peeping Fawn (by Danehill) and 2007 Criterium International (FR-G1) winner Thewayyouare (by Kingmambo); to Color of Love (by Conquistador Cielo), second dam of Brazilian Group G2 winner Super Desejada and the third dam of Brazilian Group 3 winner Desejada Normand; and to Butterfly Blue (by Sadler's Wells), second dam of Grade 1-placed Grade 3 winner America and multiple French Group 3 winner Ecrivain and third dam of 2020 Coaching Club American Oaks (USA-G1) winner Paris Lights and multiple Grade 3 winner First Captain. In addition, Better Than Honour is a half sister to Goldminess (by Mr. Prospector), third dam of multiple Japanese Group 3 winner Daimei Princess.
Better Than Honour is out of 1982 Kentucky Oaks (USA-G1) winner Blush With Pride (by Blushing Groom), who is out of 1982 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Best in Show and is, thus, a half sister to 1975 Irish champion 2-year-old male Malinowski (by Sir Ivor) and to the excellent broodmare Sex Appeal (by Buckpasser), dam of multiple English/Irish champions Try My Best and El Gran Senor and of 1989/90 South African champion sire Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer) as well as Irish Group 3 winner Solar (by Halo). Returning to Blush With Pride, she is also a half sister to English Group 2 winner Giegud (by Sir Ivor) and to Irish Group 3 winner Monroe (by Sir Ivor), dam of 1997 European champion 2-year-old male Xaar (by Zafonic), French Group 3 winners Masterclass (by The Minstrel) and Diese (by Diesis), and listed stakes winner Ile de Jinsky (by Ile de Bourbon). In addition, Blush With Pride is a half sister to stakes-placed Minnie Hauk, dam of 1984 Heinz “57” Phoenix Stakes (IRE-G1) winner Aviance (by Northfields) and 1997 Prix du Cadran (FR-G1) winner Chief Contender (by Sadler's Wells).
Fun facts
- Rags to Riches was the first filly to win the Belmont Stakes at its modern distance of 1½ miles.
- Rags to Riches is part of the only three-generation sequence of Belmont Stakes winners in the race's history. She is by 1992 winner A.P. Indy, who in turn is by 1977 victor Seattle Slew.
- Rags to Riches was a nominee for the Choice Female Athlete award at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.
- The Rags to Riches Invitational Stakes was inaugurated in 2016 at Belmont Park. Carded for 3-year-old fillies, the race is at 12 furlongs on dirt, making it the only North American dirt race beyond 10 furlongs that is restricted to females. Another Rags to Riches Stakes, this one for juvenile fillies at a mile on dirt, is contested at Churchill Downs during the fall meeting.
- Following the production of a Breyer model horse in Rags to Riches' image. Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith agreed to donate their royalties from sales of the model to the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.
Photo credit
Portrait photo taken by Jessica Morgan at Churchill Downs in 2007. Used by permission.
Last updated: October 29, 2024