Son-in-Law (GB)
April 22, 1911 – May 15, 1941
Dark Ronald (GB) x Mother-in-Law (GB), by Matchmaker (GB)
Family 5-d
April 22, 1911 – May 15, 1941
Dark Ronald (GB) x Mother-in-Law (GB), by Matchmaker (GB)
Family 5-d
One of the better Cup horses of his day, Son-in-Law was nonetheless not up to the standard set by his era’s English Classic winners, and he also had a less than fashionable pedigree. He retired to stud with modest prospects but became known as one of the most reliable sources of stamina available to English breeders, and his sons wielded substantial influence in Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In addition, his daughters did good service as broodmares. While the strong suit of his progeny was stamina, he sired several surprisingly speedy and precocious runners, reflecting the influence of his dam.
Race record
18 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 1 third, £5,546
1914:
1915:
1916:
As an individual
A masculine brown horse, Son-in-Law was leggy but short-backed and had an excellent shoulder and good hip. His pasterns were somewhat upright.
As a stallion
The reference work Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers) credits Son-in-Law with 223 winners and 41 stakes winners. Son-in-Law is a Professional chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system. His runners typically improved with age and distance.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
Notable progeny
Beau Pere (GB), Bosworth (GB), Concordia (GB), Foxlaw (GB), Parenthesis (GB), Rustom Pasha (GB), Straitlace (GB), Tourist (GB), Trimdon (GB)
Notable progeny of daughters
Bright News (IRE), Casterari (FR), Dancing Time (GB), Fair Trial (GB), Gaspillage (FR), Jack Ketch (IRE), Light Brocade (GB), Manitoba (GB), Popof (FR), Proctor (AUS), Stalino (GB), Uvira II (IRE), Zagarolo (ITY), Zambra (ITY)
Connections
Son-in-Law was bred and owned by Sir Abe Bailey. He was trained by Reginald Day. He stood at Terrace House Stud, Newmarket, where he died in 1941.
Pedigree notes
Sired by Dark Ronald, who led the German general sire list five times after his export to that country, Son-in-Law is inbred 4x4 to 1864 English champion 3-year-old male and four-time English champion sire Blair Athol, 5x4 to 1875 Derby Stakes winner and three-time English leading sire Galopin, and 5x5 to 1851 St. Leger Stakes winner and two-time English leading sire Newminster. He is a full brother to After Dark, dam of South African Oaks winner Naples (by Pietri) and second dam of Be Friendly, winner of the 1967 King’s Stand Stakes and the 1968 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp. Son-in-Law is also a full brother to Own Sister, dam of 1922 Yorkshire Oaks winner Sister-in-Law (by Lemberg) and third dam of Gran Premio Eliseo Ramírez winner Wally.
Son-in-Law is out of the good juvenile winner Mother-in-Law (by 1895 Ascot Derby winner Matchmaker), a full sister to Chesterfield Cup winner King’s Courtship. Mother-in-Law was, in turn, produced from Be Cannie (by the Blair Athol horse Jock of Oran), also a consistent winner as a 2-year-old. The next dam in Son-in-Law’s tail-female line, Reticence (by the Chesterfield Cup winner Vespasian) never raced but is a full sister to 1867 Derby Stakes winner Hermit, a seven-time champion sire in England.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the files of Quater Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Fun facts
Last updated: November 15, 2024
Race record
18 starts, 8 wins, 1 second, 1 third, £5,546
1914:
- Won Mildenhall Stakes (ENG, 12FT, Newmarket)
- Won Londesborough Plate (ENG, 12FT, York)
- Won Dullingham Plate (ENG, 12FT, Newmarket)
- Won Goodwood Cup (ENG, 21FT, Goodwood)
- Won Jockey Club Cup (ENG, 18FT, Newmarket)
- 3rd Newbury Summer Cup (ENG, 12FT, Newbury)
1915:
- Won Cesarewitch Stakes (ENG, 18FT, Newmarket)
- Won Jockey Club Cup (ENG, 18FT, Newmarket)
1916:
- Won Warren Hill Handicap (ENG, @16FT, Newmarket)
As an individual
A masculine brown horse, Son-in-Law was leggy but short-backed and had an excellent shoulder and good hip. His pasterns were somewhat upright.
As a stallion
The reference work Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers) credits Son-in-Law with 223 winners and 41 stakes winners. Son-in-Law is a Professional chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system. His runners typically improved with age and distance.
Sire rankings
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1924 and 1930; 4th in 1929 and 1931; 5th in 1928 and 1936; 6th in 1923, 1925, and 1935; 5th in 1926; 7th in 1933; 8th in 1922; 9th in 1932.
- 2nd on the combined English/Irish broodmare sire list in 1934; 3rd in 1941; 4th in 1933 and 1944; 5th in 1935; 6th in 1937; 8th in 1938; 9th in 1936.
- 9th on the French general sire list in 1942.
- 2nd on the French broodmare sire list in 1954
Per Thoroughbred Heritage (www.tbheritage.com):
- Led the combined English/Irish general sire list in 1924 and 1930.
Notable progeny
Beau Pere (GB), Bosworth (GB), Concordia (GB), Foxlaw (GB), Parenthesis (GB), Rustom Pasha (GB), Straitlace (GB), Tourist (GB), Trimdon (GB)
Notable progeny of daughters
Bright News (IRE), Casterari (FR), Dancing Time (GB), Fair Trial (GB), Gaspillage (FR), Jack Ketch (IRE), Light Brocade (GB), Manitoba (GB), Popof (FR), Proctor (AUS), Stalino (GB), Uvira II (IRE), Zagarolo (ITY), Zambra (ITY)
Connections
Son-in-Law was bred and owned by Sir Abe Bailey. He was trained by Reginald Day. He stood at Terrace House Stud, Newmarket, where he died in 1941.
Pedigree notes
Sired by Dark Ronald, who led the German general sire list five times after his export to that country, Son-in-Law is inbred 4x4 to 1864 English champion 3-year-old male and four-time English champion sire Blair Athol, 5x4 to 1875 Derby Stakes winner and three-time English leading sire Galopin, and 5x5 to 1851 St. Leger Stakes winner and two-time English leading sire Newminster. He is a full brother to After Dark, dam of South African Oaks winner Naples (by Pietri) and second dam of Be Friendly, winner of the 1967 King’s Stand Stakes and the 1968 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp. Son-in-Law is also a full brother to Own Sister, dam of 1922 Yorkshire Oaks winner Sister-in-Law (by Lemberg) and third dam of Gran Premio Eliseo Ramírez winner Wally.
Son-in-Law is out of the good juvenile winner Mother-in-Law (by 1895 Ascot Derby winner Matchmaker), a full sister to Chesterfield Cup winner King’s Courtship. Mother-in-Law was, in turn, produced from Be Cannie (by the Blair Athol horse Jock of Oran), also a consistent winner as a 2-year-old. The next dam in Son-in-Law’s tail-female line, Reticence (by the Chesterfield Cup winner Vespasian) never raced but is a full sister to 1867 Derby Stakes winner Hermit, a seven-time champion sire in England.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the files of Quater Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Fun facts
- Son-in-Law was produced from the very first mare put to his sire Dark Ronald, and Mother-in-Law was a maiden mare when put to Dark Ronald, making Son-in-Law the first foal of both parents.
- Son-in-Law was the only winner of the Cesarewitch Stakes (an important fall handicap in England) to become champion sire in England.
- Son-in-Law had substantial influence on warmblood and Holsteiner lines as well as on Thoroughbreds.
Last updated: November 15, 2024