Starine (FR)
April 26, 1997 – 2005
Mendocino (USA) x Grinsonnante (FR), by Kaldoun (FR)
Family 4-i
April 26, 1997 – 2005
Mendocino (USA) x Grinsonnante (FR), by Kaldoun (FR)
Family 4-i
Starine’s triumph in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (USA-G1) at 13-1 odds capped a rise from the claiming ranks in France to the status of multiple Grade 1 winner. She produced only two foals before her untimely death from equine protozoal meningitis, but her unraced daughter Senta’s Dream proved a broodmare of rare worth, producing three Grade/Group 1 winners. Thanks to Senta’s Dream, Starine is the granddam of two Breeders’ Cup winners.
Race record
33 starts, 10 wins, 12 seconds, 1 third, US$1,674,340 (includes converted French earnings)
1999:
2000:
2001:
2002:
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf females of 2001, 5 pounds below champion Banks Hill.
As an individual
A gray mare, Starine preferred to stalk the pace but could lay further back if that was needed. Unlike many European-trained horses, she did not need to be covered up during the early running. She was game and would willingly split rivals, and she had a good turn of foot. She was not fussy as to conditions underfoot.
As a producer
Starine produced two named foals. One was the winning gelding Media Stars (by Green Desert); the other was unraced Senta’s Dream (by Danehill), who produced four-time Grade/Group 1 winner Iridessa (by Ruler of the World; winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf); 2020 Breeders, Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Order of Australia (by Australia); and Santa Barbara (by Camelot), winner of the 2021 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) and Beverly D. Stakes (USA-G1).
Connections
Starine was bred and owned by Catherine Dubois. In the spring of 2001, she was purchased by National Museum of Racing Hall of fame trainer Robert “Bobby” Frankel and imported to the United States. After she ran second in the 2001 Gallorette Handicap, he tried to find a buyer for her but was unsuccessful and ended up keeping her. Following her win in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Starine was sold to Newsells Park Stud for US$1 million through the Keeneland November mixed sale. She died in 2005.
Pedigree notes
Much the best runner sired by the stakes-winning Theatrical horse Mendocino, Starine is inbred 3x3 to 1971 French champion older male Caro and 5x5 to the important stallion Royal Charger. She is a half sister to Group 3-placed Pearlescence (by Pleasantly Perfect), whose maternal grandson Sovereign Spirit was the 2004 champion stayer in Bahrain.
Starine is out of Grisonnante (by the important French sire Kaldoun, by Caro). Grissonnante’s dam, Lady Cherie, was unplaced in two tries. A daughter of Sir Gaylord, she was produced from Cherie Royale (by 1961 English Horse of the Year Right Royal V). The next dam in the tail-female line of Starine is 1966 Prix La Camargo winner Cherie Noire, by 1954 Prix Maurice de Nieuil winner Soleil Levant out of 1959 Prix de Malleret winner Mefair, by 1949 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Medium.
Books and media
Footage of Starine’s win in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SR0hWsqaL4.
Fun facts
Last updated: December 16, 2025
Race record
33 starts, 10 wins, 12 seconds, 1 third, US$1,674,340 (includes converted French earnings)
1999:
- Won Prix Saraca (FR-L, 1400mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 2nd Prix des Sablonnets (FR-L, 1600mT, Nantes)
2000:
- 2nd Prix de Bagatelle (FR-L, 1600mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 2nd Prix La Camargo (FR-L, 1600mT, Saint-Cloud)
- 2nd Prix Ronde de Nuit (FR-L, 1100mT, Saint-Cloud)
2001:
- Won Matriarch Stakes (USA-G1, 9FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Diana Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Saratoga)
- 2nd Gallorette Handicap (USA-G3, 8.5FT, Pimlico)
- 3rd Flower Bowl Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 10FT, Belmont)
2002:
- Won Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (USA-G1, 10FT, Arlington Park)
- 2nd Gamely Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 9FT, Hollywood)
- 2nd Santa Ana Handicap (USA-G2, 9FT, Santa Anita)
Assessments
Rated at 119 pounds on the Daily Racing Form’s Free Handicap for American turf females of 2001, 5 pounds below champion Banks Hill.
As an individual
A gray mare, Starine preferred to stalk the pace but could lay further back if that was needed. Unlike many European-trained horses, she did not need to be covered up during the early running. She was game and would willingly split rivals, and she had a good turn of foot. She was not fussy as to conditions underfoot.
As a producer
Starine produced two named foals. One was the winning gelding Media Stars (by Green Desert); the other was unraced Senta’s Dream (by Danehill), who produced four-time Grade/Group 1 winner Iridessa (by Ruler of the World; winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf); 2020 Breeders, Cup Mile (USA-G1) winner Order of Australia (by Australia); and Santa Barbara (by Camelot), winner of the 2021 Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes (USA-G1) and Beverly D. Stakes (USA-G1).
Connections
Starine was bred and owned by Catherine Dubois. In the spring of 2001, she was purchased by National Museum of Racing Hall of fame trainer Robert “Bobby” Frankel and imported to the United States. After she ran second in the 2001 Gallorette Handicap, he tried to find a buyer for her but was unsuccessful and ended up keeping her. Following her win in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Starine was sold to Newsells Park Stud for US$1 million through the Keeneland November mixed sale. She died in 2005.
Pedigree notes
Much the best runner sired by the stakes-winning Theatrical horse Mendocino, Starine is inbred 3x3 to 1971 French champion older male Caro and 5x5 to the important stallion Royal Charger. She is a half sister to Group 3-placed Pearlescence (by Pleasantly Perfect), whose maternal grandson Sovereign Spirit was the 2004 champion stayer in Bahrain.
Starine is out of Grisonnante (by the important French sire Kaldoun, by Caro). Grissonnante’s dam, Lady Cherie, was unplaced in two tries. A daughter of Sir Gaylord, she was produced from Cherie Royale (by 1961 English Horse of the Year Right Royal V). The next dam in the tail-female line of Starine is 1966 Prix La Camargo winner Cherie Noire, by 1954 Prix Maurice de Nieuil winner Soleil Levant out of 1959 Prix de Malleret winner Mefair, by 1949 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Medium.
Books and media
Footage of Starine’s win in the 2002 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SR0hWsqaL4.
Fun facts
- Starine ran twice in claiming company as a juvenile in France, finishing second in the first one and winning the second.
- After training setbacks following her second in the 2002 Gamely Breeders’ Cup Handicap, Frankel announced that Starine would be retired. He reversed himself after she started coming back around, and she ran a solid fourth in the 2002 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes on September 28 before scoring in the Breeders’ Cup four weeks later.
- Starine’s Beyer Speed Figure of 109 for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf was the highest BSF awarded for that race up to that time.
Last updated: December 16, 2025