Somethingroyal (USA)
March 12, 1952 – September 9, 1983
Princequillo (IRE) x Imperatrice (USA), by Caruso (USA)
Family 2-s
"GENETIC GEM"
March 12, 1952 – September 9, 1983
Princequillo (IRE) x Imperatrice (USA), by Caruso (USA)
Family 2-s
"GENETIC GEM"
How much racing talent Somethingroyal had is open to question as she started only once, finishing out of the money. What is not open to question is her value as a broodmare. Had she done nothing more than produce the immortal Secretariat, she would deserve remembrance, but she is also the dam of the excellent runner and sire Sir Gaylord and figures in the pedigrees of many other racers of merit. Far more than a one-foal producer, she richly merited her honors as the 1973 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
Race record
1 start, 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$0
Honors
Kentucky Broodmare of the Year (1973)
As an individual
A bay mare of no more than medium size, Somethingroyal was an attractive individual with a beautiful head but was pigeon-toed and had offset knees. She had the sloping croup typical of her dam Imperatrice and her progeny. She was an alpha mare in the paddocks but had a calm disposition and as a pensioner was used as a babysitter for new mares coming off the track.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Somethingroyal produced 18 named foals, of which 15 started and 11 were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Somethingroyal was bred by Christopher T. Chenery's Meadow Stud and raced in the name of his Meadow Stable. She was pensioned from broodmare duty in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Somethingroyal is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to 1948 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Scattered (by Whirlaway), dam of 1957 Alabama Stakes winner Here and There and 1961 Hempstead Handicap winner Disperse (both by Middleground) and second dam of stakes winner Sly Grin, and to 1963 Prioress Stakes winner Speedwell (by Bold Ruler), dam of Grade 3 winner Lulubo and stakes winner Si Si You (both by Native Charger) and second dam of 1980 Laurel Futurity (USA-G1) winner Cure the Blues, a good sire, and of Grade 3 winner Evangelical. Somethingroyal is also a half sister to stakes winners Imperium (by Piping Rock), Squared Away (by Piping Rock), Yemen (by Bryan G.), and Imperial Hill (by Hill Prince; second dam of seven stakes winners). In addition, Somethingroyal is a half sister to Imperieuse (by Jack High), dam of stakes winner Hi-Sag (by Saggy) and to Queens Moon (by Hunters Moon IV), dam of 1968 Spinaway Stakes winner Queen Double (by Double Jay) and stakes winner Lake Chelan (by Bryan G.; dam of stakes winner A Gray Ghost, by Native Charger).
Imperatrice, the dam of Somethingroyal, won four stakes races including the 1941 New England Oaks, then a fairly important event, and the Test Stakes. She was one of only three foals produced by the Brown Bud mare Cinquepace, whose half sister Estoril (by Stimulus) produced stakes winner St. Hugo (by Woodchuck) and is the second dam of stakes winner Trumpet. Another half sister to Cinquepace, Axiom (by Sky Raider) is the dam of stakes winner Merryman (by Radiotherapy), while a third half sister, Boola (by Boojum), is the second dam of stakes winner Fish House. A daughter of Teddy, Assignation was produced from 1927 Irish Oaks winner Cinq a Sept (by Roi Herode), whose stakes-placed daughter Gentle Tryst (by Sir Gallahad III) is responsible for the other major branch of Cinq a Sept's family.
Books and media
Somethingroyal is profiled in Chapter 43 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Last updated: October 11, 2024
Race record
1 start, 0 wins, 0 seconds, 0 thirds, US$0
Honors
Kentucky Broodmare of the Year (1973)
As an individual
A bay mare of no more than medium size, Somethingroyal was an attractive individual with a beautiful head but was pigeon-toed and had offset knees. She had the sloping croup typical of her dam Imperatrice and her progeny. She was an alpha mare in the paddocks but had a calm disposition and as a pensioner was used as a babysitter for new mares coming off the track.
As a producer
Designated as a Reine-de-Course by pedigree analyst Ellen Parker, Somethingroyal produced 18 named foals, of which 15 started and 11 were winners. Her important foals are as follow:
- Cherryville (1958, by Correspondent) was stakes-placed on the track. She is the second dam of the stakes-winning hurdler Marlingford and the third dam of French Group 3 winner John Cherry. Her more distant descendants include two-time Saudi Arabian champion Mor'edah, 2003 Summer Cup Stakes (SAF-G1) winner Strategic News, 2011 AJC Metropolitan Stakes (AUS-G1) winner The Verminator, Grade/Group 2 winners De France and Sky Cape, and Grade/Group 3 winners Liberty's Gem, Skygaze, Spirits Aubeer, and Whistler.
- Sir Gaylord (1959, by Turn-to), won six stakes races at 2 and 3 and was favored for the 1962 Kentucky Derby but broke down in a workout the day before the race. He became an excellent sire and sire of sires.
- First Family (1962, by First Landing) won the 1966 Gulfstream Park Handicap and three other stakes races. He was not a success at stud in either the United States or Japan.
- Swansea (1963, by Turn-to) is the dam of Chairman Walker (by Buckpasser), who did not race but became a Classic sire in Chile. She is also the second dam of multiple stakes winner Nettlesome and stakes-winning steeplechaser Moment of Truth and the third dam of 2002 Gran Premio Zelia Gonzaga Peixoto de Castro (BRZ-G1) winner Aviacion, Brazilian Group 2 winner Cerutti, multiple Argentine Group 3 winner Forest Bell, Argentine Group 3 winner American Hero and Brazilian Group 3 winner Persane. Her more distant descendants include two-time Turkish champion Tiramisu, 2009 Chilean co-champion 3-year-old filly Paula's Girl, 2004 Chilean co-champion 2-year-old filly Domaine, and Intercontinental, champion stayer in Mauritius in 2012/13; multiple French Group 1 winner Chichicastenango, 2002 Gran Criterium (AARG-G1) winner Eddington, and 2024 bet365 Fillies' Mile (ENG-G1) winner Desert Flower; Group 2 winners Flaco Simpatico, Promising Run, and Roman Candle; and Group 3 winners Aablan, Forest Bell, La Torrosa, and Quiroguita.
- Syrian Sea (1965, by Bold Ruler) won the 1967 Selima Stakes and two other stakes as a juvenile. She is the dam of multiple Grade 2 winner Alada (by Riva Ridge) and is the second dam of Group 1-placed Peruvian stakes winner Bacanal and the third dam of 1992 American champion 3-year-old filly Saratoga Dew. Her more distant descendants include 2013 Japanese Horse of the Year Lord Kanaloa and 2001 Venezuelan champion 3-year-old male Rodes.
- The Bride (1969, by Bold Ruler) failed to win in four starts but produced Argentine Group 2 winner At Ease (by Hoist the Flag) and stakes winner Heavenly Match (by Gallant Romeo). She is the second dam of 1990 John A. Morris Handicap (USA-G1) winner Personal Business and the third dam of three-time Japanese champion Nishino Flower and Grade 3 winner In Conference. Her more distant descendants include Grade/Group 2 winners Any Limit, Classic Point, College Girl, and Everso Mischievous and Grade/Group 3 winners Ever So Clever, Final Mesa, Hindu Times, Nero, Nishino Daisy, Rosella, and Uncle Camie.
- Secretariat (1970, by Bold Ruler) was American Horse of the Year in 1972 and 1973 and became the ninth horse to win the American Triple Crown. He became a good sire and led the American broodmare sire list in 1992.
- Somethingfabulous (1972, by Northern Dancer) was Grade G1-placed on the track and became a useful regional sire in California.
- Queen's Colours (1976, by Reviewer) ran twice, placing in both starts. She is the third dam of multiple Australian Group 1 winner Typhoon Zed and Australian Group 3 winner Captain Bax.
Connections
Foaled in Virginia, Somethingroyal was bred by Christopher T. Chenery's Meadow Stud and raced in the name of his Meadow Stable. She was pensioned from broodmare duty in 1978.
Pedigree notes
Somethingroyal is outcrossed through five generations. She is a half sister to 1948 Coaching Club American Oaks winner Scattered (by Whirlaway), dam of 1957 Alabama Stakes winner Here and There and 1961 Hempstead Handicap winner Disperse (both by Middleground) and second dam of stakes winner Sly Grin, and to 1963 Prioress Stakes winner Speedwell (by Bold Ruler), dam of Grade 3 winner Lulubo and stakes winner Si Si You (both by Native Charger) and second dam of 1980 Laurel Futurity (USA-G1) winner Cure the Blues, a good sire, and of Grade 3 winner Evangelical. Somethingroyal is also a half sister to stakes winners Imperium (by Piping Rock), Squared Away (by Piping Rock), Yemen (by Bryan G.), and Imperial Hill (by Hill Prince; second dam of seven stakes winners). In addition, Somethingroyal is a half sister to Imperieuse (by Jack High), dam of stakes winner Hi-Sag (by Saggy) and to Queens Moon (by Hunters Moon IV), dam of 1968 Spinaway Stakes winner Queen Double (by Double Jay) and stakes winner Lake Chelan (by Bryan G.; dam of stakes winner A Gray Ghost, by Native Charger).
Imperatrice, the dam of Somethingroyal, won four stakes races including the 1941 New England Oaks, then a fairly important event, and the Test Stakes. She was one of only three foals produced by the Brown Bud mare Cinquepace, whose half sister Estoril (by Stimulus) produced stakes winner St. Hugo (by Woodchuck) and is the second dam of stakes winner Trumpet. Another half sister to Cinquepace, Axiom (by Sky Raider) is the dam of stakes winner Merryman (by Radiotherapy), while a third half sister, Boola (by Boojum), is the second dam of stakes winner Fish House. A daughter of Teddy, Assignation was produced from 1927 Irish Oaks winner Cinq a Sept (by Roi Herode), whose stakes-placed daughter Gentle Tryst (by Sir Gallahad III) is responsible for the other major branch of Cinq a Sept's family.
Books and media
Somethingroyal is profiled in Chapter 43 of John Sparkman's Foundation Mares: How Outstanding Female Families Shaped America's Breeding Industry (2008, Thoroughbred Times Books).
Last updated: October 11, 2024