Startle (USA)
1919 – After Spring 1939
Star Hawk (GB) x Inspiration (GB), by Ayrshire (GB)
Family 6-a
1919 – After Spring 1939
Star Hawk (GB) x Inspiration (GB), by Ayrshire (GB)
Family 6-a
A champion at 2, Startle raced on at 3 but was able to win only the Kentucky Oaks that year although she placed in good races. She failed to return to her juvenile form in light campaigns at 4 and 5 and was a disappointing producer.
Race record
Startle's complete record is unavailable. She earned US$65,140.
1921:
1922:
Honors
American champion 2-year-old filly (1921)
As an individual
A chestnut filly, Startle was leggy and racy with strong hindquarters.
As a producer
Startle produced eight named foals, of which seven started and six won. None of her daughters achieved any significance as broodmares.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Startle was bred and owned by Herbert H. Hewitt. She was trained by John I. Smith and was ridden to her Kentucky Oaks score by Danny Connelly. After her racing career, she became a broodmare for George Widener's Erdenheim Stud. She later passed into the ownership of E. K. Thomas, who bred her last foal, the Flying Heels filly Stagger, in 1939.
Pedigree notes
Startle is outcrossed through five generations. She is the best of three stakes winners sired by 1913 Lawrence Realization winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Star Hawk, a son of Sunstar. Her dam Inspiration also produced 1917 Canadian Derby winner and Belmont Stakes runner-up Skeptic (by Sain), 1922 Phoenix Handicap winner Advocate (by Ballot), juvenile stakes winner Fabian (by Ballot) and Frank's Daughter (by Frank Gill), dam of 1920 Chesapeake Stakes winner Sandy Beal (by Superman) and second dam of 1940 Yankee Handicap winner Pass Out.
A minor stakes winner, Inspiration is a half sister to stakes winner Brother Jonathan (by Yankee). Her dam Sister Mary (by Woodlands) also won a minor stakes and is a half sister to 1905 Nursery Stakes winner Debar (by Algol). The next dam in the tail-female line, Sister, is by King Alfonso out of the Asteroid mare Lerna, also the ancestress of 1914 Kentucky Derby winner and two-time American champion Old Rosebud.
Books and media
Startle is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press),
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: October 8, 2022
Race record
Startle's complete record is unavailable. She earned US$65,140.
1921:
- Won Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (USA, 8FD, Churchill Downs)
- Won Queen City Handicap (USA, 8FD, Latonia)
- Won Hinata Stakes (USA, Lexington)
- 2nd Debutante Stakes (USA, 5.5FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Breeders' Futurity (USA, about 5.75FD, Lexington)
1922:
- Won Kentucky Oaks (USA, 9FD, Churchill Downs)
- 2nd Ashland Oaks (USA, 8FD, Lexington)
- 2nd Latonia Oaks (USA, 10FD, Latonia)
- 3rd Miller Stakes (USA, 9.5FD, Saratoga)
- 3rd Blue Grass Stakes (USA, 9FD, Lexington)
Honors
American champion 2-year-old filly (1921)
As an individual
A chestnut filly, Startle was leggy and racy with strong hindquarters.
As a producer
Startle produced eight named foals, of which seven started and six won. None of her daughters achieved any significance as broodmares.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Startle was bred and owned by Herbert H. Hewitt. She was trained by John I. Smith and was ridden to her Kentucky Oaks score by Danny Connelly. After her racing career, she became a broodmare for George Widener's Erdenheim Stud. She later passed into the ownership of E. K. Thomas, who bred her last foal, the Flying Heels filly Stagger, in 1939.
Pedigree notes
Startle is outcrossed through five generations. She is the best of three stakes winners sired by 1913 Lawrence Realization winner and Kentucky Derby runner-up Star Hawk, a son of Sunstar. Her dam Inspiration also produced 1917 Canadian Derby winner and Belmont Stakes runner-up Skeptic (by Sain), 1922 Phoenix Handicap winner Advocate (by Ballot), juvenile stakes winner Fabian (by Ballot) and Frank's Daughter (by Frank Gill), dam of 1920 Chesapeake Stakes winner Sandy Beal (by Superman) and second dam of 1940 Yankee Handicap winner Pass Out.
A minor stakes winner, Inspiration is a half sister to stakes winner Brother Jonathan (by Yankee). Her dam Sister Mary (by Woodlands) also won a minor stakes and is a half sister to 1905 Nursery Stakes winner Debar (by Algol). The next dam in the tail-female line, Sister, is by King Alfonso out of the Asteroid mare Lerna, also the ancestress of 1914 Kentucky Derby winner and two-time American champion Old Rosebud.
Books and media
Startle is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press),
Photo credit
Photographer unknown. From the private collection of Dale Wyatt; used by permission.
Last updated: October 8, 2022