Star Ruby (GB)
1892 – August 6, 1913
Hampton (GB) x Ornament (GB), by Bend Or (GB)
Family 16-h
1892 – August 6, 1913
Hampton (GB) x Ornament (GB), by Bend Or (GB)
Family 16-h
A beautifully bred horse, Star Ruby was not the equal of his more illustrious relatives as a racehorse but did enough to retire to stud with a decent reputation. He was never a great stallion but did sire two American Classic winners in 1903 Belmont Stakes winner Africander (the American champion 3-year-old male of that year) and 1905 Preakness Stakes winner Cairngorm. He also sired Rubio, the first American-bred horse to win the Grand National Steeplechase in England, as well as Ruby Nethersole, second dam of the good racer and sire Questionnaire.
Race record
Star Ruby won at least 13 races at 3 and 4.
1896:
As an individual
A handsome, well-made bay horse of great presence, Star Ruby had an excellent shoulder. He did not handle off going well.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan’s Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 (Vol. II) credits Star Ruby with seven stakes winners in the United States. He also sired Rubio, a winner of England’s Grand National Steeplechase.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
Notable progeny
Africander (USA), Cairngorm (USA), Rubio (USA)
Connections
Star Ruby was bred at the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Stud. After failing to win as a juvenile in England, he was purchased by James Ben Ali Haggin and sent to the United States, where he was leased for racing purposes to owner-trainer Green B. Morris. Following his racing career, he retired to Haggin’s Rancho del Paso in California. When Haggin dispersed Rancho del Paso, Star Ruby was retained and sent to Haggin’s Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky. He was euthanized in August 1913 due to complications from surgery to treat what was termed a “bruise” on his head.
Pedigree notes
Star Ruby is inbred 5x5 to 1845 St. Leger Stakes winner The Baron and the epochal broodmare Pocahontas through the full brothers Stockwell (a seven-time English champion sire) and Rataplan, both excellent racehorses. He is also inbred 5x5 to the notable broodmare Banter and to the great French sire Gladiator. He is a half brother to the great race mare Sceptre (by Persimmon), still considered one of the finest mares ever to grace the turf in England; the dam of 1908 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Maid of the Mist (by Cyllene), she is the ancestress of innumerable good horses. Star Ruby is also a half brother to 1896 Champion Stakes winner Labrador (by Sheen) and to 1898 Hardwicke Stakes winner Collar (by St. Simon)
Ornament, the dam of Star Ruby, is a full sister to the unbeaten champion Ormonde, winner of the English Triple Crown in 1886, and to Ossory, winner of the 1888 St. James’s Palace Stakes. She is also a half sister to Farewell (by Doncaster), winner of the 1885 One Thousand Guineas. She and her siblings were produced from the fine staying mare Lily Agnes (by Macaroni), whose 19 victories included the 1874 Northumberland Plate, the 1874 Doncaster Cup, and the 1875 Ebor Handicap. Lily Agnes, in turn, was produced from Polly Agnes (by The Cure), who was undersized and scrawny and never ran but also produced Tiger Lily (by Macaroni), dam of 1892 Goodwood Cup winner Martagon (by Bend Or), and the notable foundation mares Lizzie Agnes (by Macaroni) and Orphan Agnes (by Speculum).
Fun facts
Last updated: June 20, 2023
Race record
Star Ruby won at least 13 races at 3 and 4.
1896:
- Won Thornton Stakes (USA, 32FD, Bay District)
- Won Norfolk Stakes (USA, 8FD, Bay District)
- Won Rancho del Paso Stakes (USA, 8.5FD, Bay District)
- 3rd Baldwin Hotel Stakes (USA, 6FD, Ingleside)
As an individual
A handsome, well-made bay horse of great presence, Star Ruby had an excellent shoulder. He did not handle off going well.
As a stallion
Clio Hogan’s Index to Stakes Winners 1865-1967 (Vol. II) credits Star Ruby with seven stakes winners in the United States. He also sired Rubio, a winner of England’s Grand National Steeplechase.
Sire rankings
Per The Blood-Horse:
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1903.
Per Great Thoroughbred Sires of the World (2006, Churchill, Reichard, and Rogers):
- 3rd on the American general sire list in 1903; 8th in 1908.
Notable progeny
Africander (USA), Cairngorm (USA), Rubio (USA)
Connections
Star Ruby was bred at the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Stud. After failing to win as a juvenile in England, he was purchased by James Ben Ali Haggin and sent to the United States, where he was leased for racing purposes to owner-trainer Green B. Morris. Following his racing career, he retired to Haggin’s Rancho del Paso in California. When Haggin dispersed Rancho del Paso, Star Ruby was retained and sent to Haggin’s Elmendorf Stud in Kentucky. He was euthanized in August 1913 due to complications from surgery to treat what was termed a “bruise” on his head.
Pedigree notes
Star Ruby is inbred 5x5 to 1845 St. Leger Stakes winner The Baron and the epochal broodmare Pocahontas through the full brothers Stockwell (a seven-time English champion sire) and Rataplan, both excellent racehorses. He is also inbred 5x5 to the notable broodmare Banter and to the great French sire Gladiator. He is a half brother to the great race mare Sceptre (by Persimmon), still considered one of the finest mares ever to grace the turf in England; the dam of 1908 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Maid of the Mist (by Cyllene), she is the ancestress of innumerable good horses. Star Ruby is also a half brother to 1896 Champion Stakes winner Labrador (by Sheen) and to 1898 Hardwicke Stakes winner Collar (by St. Simon)
Ornament, the dam of Star Ruby, is a full sister to the unbeaten champion Ormonde, winner of the English Triple Crown in 1886, and to Ossory, winner of the 1888 St. James’s Palace Stakes. She is also a half sister to Farewell (by Doncaster), winner of the 1885 One Thousand Guineas. She and her siblings were produced from the fine staying mare Lily Agnes (by Macaroni), whose 19 victories included the 1874 Northumberland Plate, the 1874 Doncaster Cup, and the 1875 Ebor Handicap. Lily Agnes, in turn, was produced from Polly Agnes (by The Cure), who was undersized and scrawny and never ran but also produced Tiger Lily (by Macaroni), dam of 1892 Goodwood Cup winner Martagon (by Bend Or), and the notable foundation mares Lizzie Agnes (by Macaroni) and Orphan Agnes (by Speculum).
Fun facts
- During the running of the four-mile Thornton Stakes, Star Ruby was estimated to have fallen as much as half a mile off the pace set by the only other two entrants, who engaged in a speed dual from the start. Turned loose with 6 furlongs to go, Star Ruby—generally considered a sprinter-miler—easily sailed past both his exhausted rivals to win.
Last updated: June 20, 2023