While he was closely inbred to a winner of the Belmont Stakes, Spy Song was the produce of two parents who were juvenile champions and took after them in precocity and speed. Unlike his sire, however, he was also durable and sound, and he passed these traits on to his progeny.
Race record
36 starts, 15 wins, 9 seconds, 4 thirds, US$206,325
1945:
1946:
1947:
1948:
Assessments
Ranked fourth among American 2-year-old males of 1945 by The Blood-Horse.
Ranked third among American 3-year-old males of 1946 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A handsome, close-coupled brown horse, Spy Song had powerful forearms, a broad chest and the strong hindquarters of a sprinter. He might have enjoyed a higher reputation on the track had he not been inclined to sulking.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Spy Song sired 249 winners (71.6%) and 28 stakes winners (8.0%) from 348 named foals. Spy Song is a Brilliant chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers)
Notable progeny
Crimson Satan (USA), Locust Time (USA), Royal Note (USA), Sari's Song (USA), Sly Pola (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Amber Rama (USA), Blue Tom (USA), Faraway Son (USA), Liloy (FR), Plantain (USA), Singh (USA), Spy Well (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Spy Song was bred and owned by Charles T. Fisher's Dixiana Farm. He was trained by Jack C. Hodgins. He stood at Dixiana throughout his stud career.
Pedigree notes
Spy Song is inbred 3x3 to Peter Pan. He is a full brother to the useful sire Mr. Music and to Sub Rosa, dam of 1950 Ashland Stakes winner Wondring (by Pensive; dam of multiple stakes winner Solution, by Cortil) and 1953 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap winner Sub Fleet (by Count Fleet). Spy Song is also a half brother to stakes winner Roman Song (by Roman).
Spy Song's dam Mata Hari was the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1934, and was unusual in that she was the produce of two unraced parents. Her dam War Woman (by Man o' War) was produced from the Uncle mare Topaz, whose half sister Miss Puzzle (by Disguise) was a stakes winner and the dam of three stakes winners including the excellent stayer Questionnaire.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the collection of Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: February 20, 2024
Race record
36 starts, 15 wins, 9 seconds, 4 thirds, US$206,325
1945:
- Won Arlington Futurity (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
- Also set a new track record of :53-4/5 for 4.5 furlongs on dirt at Hawthorne
1946:
- Won Hawthorne Sprint Handicap (USA, 6FD, Hawthorne; new track record 1:16-4/5)
- 2nd Kentucky Derby (USA, 10FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Hawthorne Gold Cup (USA, 10FD, Hawthorne)
- 2nd Derby Trial Stakes (USA, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Hawthorne Autumn Handicap (USA, 8.5FD, Hawthorne)
1947:
- Won Chicago Handicap (USA, 7FD, Washington Park)
- Won Myrtlewood Stakes (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Clang Handicap (USA, 7FD, Arlington Park)
- Won Hawthorne Speed Handicap (USA, 6FD, Hawthorne)
- 2nd Great Western Handicap (USA, 6FD, Washington Park)
- 2nd Hawthorne Sprint Handicap (USA, 6FD, Hawthorne)
- 2nd Quick Step Stakes (USA, 6FD, Washington Park)
- 3rd Domino Handicap (USA, 6FD, Arlington Park)
1948:
- 2nd Vosburgh Handicap (USA, 7FD, Belmont)
- 3rd Clang Handicap (USA, 7FD, Arlington Park)
Assessments
Ranked fourth among American 2-year-old males of 1945 by The Blood-Horse.
Ranked third among American 3-year-old males of 1946 by The Blood-Horse.
As an individual
A handsome, close-coupled brown horse, Spy Song had powerful forearms, a broad chest and the strong hindquarters of a sprinter. He might have enjoyed a higher reputation on the track had he not been inclined to sulking.
As a stallion
According to statistics kept by The Jockey Club, Spy Song sired 249 winners (71.6%) and 28 stakes winners (8.0%) from 348 named foals. Spy Song is a Brilliant chef-de-race in the Roman-Miller dosage system.
Sire rankings
Per the American Racing Manual (Daily Racing Form) series:
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1963; 10th in 1961.
- 8th on the American broodmare sire list in 1971 and 1972; 9th in 1970.
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1963; 10th in 1961.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers)
- 6th on the American general sire list in 1963; 10th in 1961.
- 8th on the American broodmare sire list in 1971; 9th in 1970.
Notable progeny
Crimson Satan (USA), Locust Time (USA), Royal Note (USA), Sari's Song (USA), Sly Pola (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Amber Rama (USA), Blue Tom (USA), Faraway Son (USA), Liloy (FR), Plantain (USA), Singh (USA), Spy Well (USA)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Spy Song was bred and owned by Charles T. Fisher's Dixiana Farm. He was trained by Jack C. Hodgins. He stood at Dixiana throughout his stud career.
Pedigree notes
Spy Song is inbred 3x3 to Peter Pan. He is a full brother to the useful sire Mr. Music and to Sub Rosa, dam of 1950 Ashland Stakes winner Wondring (by Pensive; dam of multiple stakes winner Solution, by Cortil) and 1953 Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap winner Sub Fleet (by Count Fleet). Spy Song is also a half brother to stakes winner Roman Song (by Roman).
Spy Song's dam Mata Hari was the American champion 2-year-old filly of 1934, and was unusual in that she was the produce of two unraced parents. Her dam War Woman (by Man o' War) was produced from the Uncle mare Topaz, whose half sister Miss Puzzle (by Disguise) was a stakes winner and the dam of three stakes winners including the excellent stayer Questionnaire.
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the collection of Quarter Horse Record (Susan Larkin); used by permission.
Last updated: February 20, 2024