Real Quiet (USA)
March 7, 1995 – September 27, 2010
Quiet American (USA) x Really Blue (USA), by Believe It (USA)
Family 4-d
March 7, 1995 – September 27, 2010
Quiet American (USA) x Really Blue (USA), by Believe It (USA)
Family 4-d
A crooked foal who underwent corrective surgery on his legs, Real Quiet grew up into an attractive but narrow individual who became a Grade 1 winner at 2, 3 and 4. His best year was at 3, when he won the Kentucky Derby (USA-G1) and Preakness Stakes (USA-G1) and became the narrowest-ever loser of the American Triple Crown when he failed by a nose to hold off Victory Gallop in the Belmont Stakes (USA-G1). He was an inconsistent stallion but got a truly exceptional runner in two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint (USA-G1) winner Midnight Lute, the American champion sprinter of 2007.
Race record
20 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,271,802
1997:
1998:
1999:
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old male (1998)
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 1997, 11 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Favorite Trick.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1999, 3 pounds below champion Victory Gallop.
As an individual
A tall, rangy, narrow bay horse standing 16.2 hands, Real Quiet was well built when viewed from the side but was crooked as a foal and underwent corrective surgery on both knees to straighten his legs. He had a long, fluid stride when racing. He was kept out of racing at 3 following the Belmont Stakes due to an assortment of physical problems and retired as a 4-year-old after fracturing a splint bone in his right foreleg while in training for the Pacific Classic (USA-G1). He had a good disposition and was said to be intelligent.
As a stallion
Real Quiet led the Pennsylvania state sire list in 2007. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Real Quiet sired 329 winners (49.8%) and 22 stakes winners (3.3%) from 661 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits him with 23 stakes winners (3.5%).
Notable progeny
Midnight Lute (USA), Pussycat Doll (USA), Wonder Lady Anne L (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Real Quiet was bred by Eduardo Gaviria's Little Hill Farm. He was owned by Mike Pegram, who paid US$17,000 for the colt at the 1996 Keeneland September yearling sale and was trained by Bob Baffert. George Hofmeister of Highland Farm purchased Real Quiet's breeding rights following the colt's runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby, and Real Quiet entered stud in 2000 in Kentucky at Vinery, in which Hofmeister held a majority interest. The stallion later moved to Taylor Made Farm and then to Pennsylvania, where he stood at Regal Heir Farms, Pin Oak Lake Farm and Penn Ridge Farm. He also shuttled to Australia and Uruguay during his stud career. Real Quiet suffered fatal injuries during a paddock accident at Penn Ridge Farm in September 2010.
Pedigree notes
Real Quiet is inbred 4x3 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native, 5x4x5 to 1951 Santa Anita Derby winner Rough'n Tumble and 5x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. He is a half brother to Mining My Business (by Mining), dam of 2001 Fair Grounds Oaks (USA-G2) winner Real Cozzy (by Cozzene) and second dam of Grade 3 winners Itsonlyactingdad and Quiet Business. He is also a half brother to Beaming Belle (by Alwuhush), dam of restricted stakes winner Foreign Argument (by Closing Argument), and to La Princesa (by Latin American), second dam of 2012 Mexican Horse of the Year Horizonte.
Really Blue, the dam of Real Quiet, is a half sister to French stakes winner Nureyev's Best (by Nureyev), dam of Grade 2 winner Andujar (by Quiet American) and third dam of 2022 American champion 3-year-old filly winner Nest and 2021 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Idol. She is also a half sister to Group 2-placed Allegedly Blue (by Alleged), dam of English stakes winner Hawait Al Barr (by Green Desert) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Ryono; to Mangala (by Sharpen Up), dam of multiple Grade/Group 2 winner Allied Forces (by Miswaki); and to Vaguelyvon (by Vaguely Noble), dam of restricted stakes winner Noble Executive (by Executive Order).
Really Blue, in turn, is out of Meadow Blue (by Raise a Native x Gay Hostess, by Royal Charger), a full sister to 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince, to 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince and to stakes-placed Our Queen, second dam of Grade 3 winner Casino Magistrate. She is also a full sister to Caronatta, dam of restricted stakes winner Rally Run (by Dixieland Band). In addition, Meadow Blue is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Lovely Gypsy (by Armageddon); to stakes-placed Betty Loraine (by Prince John), dam of 1974 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner and French champion 3-year-old male Caracolero (by Graustark) and second dam of 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto; and to Rollabout (by My Babu), dam of Canadian stakes winner Lady Face (by Proud Clarion).
Books and media
Fun facts
Last updated: May 14, 2024
Race record
20 starts, 6 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds, US$3,271,802
1997:
- Won Hollywood Futurity (USA-G1, 8.5FD, Hollywood)
- 3rd Brown & Williamson Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (USA-G3, 8.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- 3rd Indian Nations Futurity Cup (USA-L, 7FD, Santa Fe)
1998:
- Won Kentucky Derby (USA-G1, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Preakness Stakes (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd Belmont Stakes (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Santa Anita Derby (USA-G1, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd San Felipe Stakes USA (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
1999:
- Won Sempra Energy Hollywood Gold Cup (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Pimlico Special Handicap (USA-G1, 9.5FD, Pimlico)
- 2nd New Orleans Handicap (USA-G3, 9FD, Fair Grounds)
- 2nd Texas Mile Stakes (USA-G3, 8FD, Lone Star)
- 3rd Massachusetts Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Suffolk Downs)
Honors
Eclipse Award, American champion 3-year-old male (1998)
Assessments
Rated at 117 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American juvenile males of 1997, 11 pounds below divisional champion and Horse of the Year Favorite Trick.
Rated at 123 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American older males of 1999, 3 pounds below champion Victory Gallop.
As an individual
A tall, rangy, narrow bay horse standing 16.2 hands, Real Quiet was well built when viewed from the side but was crooked as a foal and underwent corrective surgery on both knees to straighten his legs. He had a long, fluid stride when racing. He was kept out of racing at 3 following the Belmont Stakes due to an assortment of physical problems and retired as a 4-year-old after fracturing a splint bone in his right foreleg while in training for the Pacific Classic (USA-G1). He had a good disposition and was said to be intelligent.
As a stallion
Real Quiet led the Pennsylvania state sire list in 2007. According to records kept by The Jockey Club, Real Quiet sired 329 winners (49.8%) and 22 stakes winners (3.3%) from 661 named foals. The Blood-Horse credits him with 23 stakes winners (3.5%).
Notable progeny
Midnight Lute (USA), Pussycat Doll (USA), Wonder Lady Anne L (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Real Quiet was bred by Eduardo Gaviria's Little Hill Farm. He was owned by Mike Pegram, who paid US$17,000 for the colt at the 1996 Keeneland September yearling sale and was trained by Bob Baffert. George Hofmeister of Highland Farm purchased Real Quiet's breeding rights following the colt's runner-up finish in the Santa Anita Derby, and Real Quiet entered stud in 2000 in Kentucky at Vinery, in which Hofmeister held a majority interest. The stallion later moved to Taylor Made Farm and then to Pennsylvania, where he stood at Regal Heir Farms, Pin Oak Lake Farm and Penn Ridge Farm. He also shuttled to Australia and Uruguay during his stud career. Real Quiet suffered fatal injuries during a paddock accident at Penn Ridge Farm in September 2010.
Pedigree notes
Real Quiet is inbred 4x3 to 1963 American co-champion 2-year-old male Raise a Native, 5x4x5 to 1951 Santa Anita Derby winner Rough'n Tumble and 5x5 to two-time English/Irish champion sire Nearco. He is a half brother to Mining My Business (by Mining), dam of 2001 Fair Grounds Oaks (USA-G2) winner Real Cozzy (by Cozzene) and second dam of Grade 3 winners Itsonlyactingdad and Quiet Business. He is also a half brother to Beaming Belle (by Alwuhush), dam of restricted stakes winner Foreign Argument (by Closing Argument), and to La Princesa (by Latin American), second dam of 2012 Mexican Horse of the Year Horizonte.
Really Blue, the dam of Real Quiet, is a half sister to French stakes winner Nureyev's Best (by Nureyev), dam of Grade 2 winner Andujar (by Quiet American) and third dam of 2022 American champion 3-year-old filly winner Nest and 2021 Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1) winner Idol. She is also a half sister to Group 2-placed Allegedly Blue (by Alleged), dam of English stakes winner Hawait Al Barr (by Green Desert) and second dam of Italian Group 3 winner Ryono; to Mangala (by Sharpen Up), dam of multiple Grade/Group 2 winner Allied Forces (by Miswaki); and to Vaguelyvon (by Vaguely Noble), dam of restricted stakes winner Noble Executive (by Executive Order).
Really Blue, in turn, is out of Meadow Blue (by Raise a Native x Gay Hostess, by Royal Charger), a full sister to 1969 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Majestic Prince, to 1971 English champion 2-year-old male Crowned Prince and to stakes-placed Our Queen, second dam of Grade 3 winner Casino Magistrate. She is also a full sister to Caronatta, dam of restricted stakes winner Rally Run (by Dixieland Band). In addition, Meadow Blue is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Lovely Gypsy (by Armageddon); to stakes-placed Betty Loraine (by Prince John), dam of 1974 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, FR-G1) winner and French champion 3-year-old male Caracolero (by Graustark) and second dam of 1984 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (ENG-G1) winner Secreto; and to Rollabout (by My Babu), dam of Canadian stakes winner Lady Face (by Proud Clarion).
Books and media
- Real Quiet is profiled in Chapter 12 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
- TrueNicks’ tribute to Real Quiet (which includes video footage of some of his races) can be viewed at http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/truenicks/archive/2010/09/28/real-quiet.aspx. The text was written by Ian Tapp.
- Footage of Real Quiet’s win in the 1998 Kentucky Derby can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLTrVrMkBco.
Fun facts
- Trainer Bob Baffert nicknamed Real Quiet “The Fish” for his narrow build.
- The Belmont track stewards admitted after the 1998 Belmont Stakes that if Real Quiet had held on to cross the wire first, they would have had to disqualify him for interfering with Victory Gallop during the stretch run. Fortunately, they were spared having to take down an apparent Triple Crown winner when Victory Gallop crossed the line first anyway.
- Real Quiet's Belmont Stakes loss may have been the most expensive four inches in history, costing owner Mike Pegram a US$5 million bonus offered by Visa for a Triple Crown sweep as well as incentive money related to the sale of the colt's breeding rights.
- Real Quiet was the second of three consecutive horses to complete the Kentucky Derby—Preakness double but fail to win the Belmont Stakes. The others were Silver Charm in 1997 and Charismatic in 1999.
- Real Quiet was the second of five horses trained by Bob Baffert to win the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. The first was Silver Charm (1997); the last three were War Emblem (2002), Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (2015), and Triple Crown winner Justify (2018). Battert also trained 2020 Derby winner Authentic , whose victory tied Baffert with Calumet Farm's legendary Ben Jones as the trainer with the most Kentucky Derby wins. (In 2021, Baffert appeared to have scored a record-breaking seventh Derby win when Medina Spirit crossed the line first, but the victory was taken away via disqualification after the colt tested positive for the corticosteroid bethmethasone.)
- The Real Quiet Stakes was run at Hollywood Park in 2005–08 and 2010–13.
- Real Quiet's Beyer Speed Figure for the 1997 Hollywood Futurity was the highest ever recorded for a 2-year-old that went on to win the Kentucky Derby up to the time of the colt's Derby victory.
Last updated: May 14, 2024