A feminine counterpart to Brokers Tip, Sweet Verbena had only one good race in her, and she chose to deliver it in one of the biggest races for fillies on the New York calendar. At that, she needed every ounce of her four-pound weight allowance to get home by a neck over Aquastella, who easily reversed the decision in the Alabama Stakes later in the season when Sweet Verbena had to concede five pounds (she finished fifth). Sweet Verbena failed to add to her reputation as a broodmare.
Race record
19 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$17,375
1929:
As an individual
A black mare; no further information available.
As a producer
Sweet Verbena produced only three named foals, of which two started and one won. Her unraced daughter Lilac Day (by Eternal) is the dam of 1944 Ben Ali Handicap and Clark Handicap winner Alquest (by Questionnaire) and is the third dam of 1962 Longacres Mile Handicap winner Harpie. Lilac Day's winning full sister M'lisse produced multiple stakes winner Pagan Star (by Jopagan). Sweet Verbena's broodmare career was hampered by frequent barrenness.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Sweet Verbena was bred by Simms and Marshall. She was owned by Toll Pendleton's Lone Star Stable. She was trained by John Sims Wallace and was ridden to her win in the Coaching Club American Oaks by John Maiben. She spent her broodmare career as the property of Simms' Xalapa Farm.
Pedigree notes
Sweet Verbena is inbred 3x4 to the great racer and sire St. Simon and 5x5 to seven-time English champion sire Hermit, winner of the 1867 Derby Stakes. She is a full sister to Susie Jane, second dam of multiple stakes winner Eddie Sue. Sweet Verbena is a half sister to two-time Toboggan Handicap winner Okapi (by Eternal) and to the useful sprinter Sweepster (by Sweep), winner of four stakes events. She is also a half sister to Flying Sands (by Aeronaut), second dam of multiple stakes winner My Lovely; to Killimick, second dam of 1944 Suburban Handicap winner Aletern and stakes winner Xavier.
Sweet Verbena's dam Oktibbena was produced from the Hastings mare Octoroon, a half sister to the good stakes winner Octagon (by Rayon d'Or; sire of the great Beldame) and multiple stakes winner Orthodox (by Hastings' son Don de Oro). Octoroon is also a half sister to Orienta (by Henry of Navarre), dam of stakes winners Okenite (by Hastings), Overman (by Rock Sand) and Ormulu (by Fair Play); second dam of multiple stakes winner Osprey; and third dam of 1929 Spinaway Stakes winner Goose Egg (by Chicle; dam of 1942 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Shut Out). Octoroon and her siblings are out of the Bend Or mare Ortegal whose dam Lizzie Agnes (by Macaroni) also produced English stakes winner Orwell (by Bend Or) and Ordnung (by Bend Or), dam of Grosser Preis von Hamburg winner Ohnesorge (by the high-class German runner Hannibal).
Books and media
Sweet Verbena is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
Last updated: July 5, 2024
Race record
19 starts, 1 win, 2 seconds, 2 thirds, US$17,375
1929:
- Won Coaching Club American Oaks (USA, 11FD, Belmont)
As an individual
A black mare; no further information available.
As a producer
Sweet Verbena produced only three named foals, of which two started and one won. Her unraced daughter Lilac Day (by Eternal) is the dam of 1944 Ben Ali Handicap and Clark Handicap winner Alquest (by Questionnaire) and is the third dam of 1962 Longacres Mile Handicap winner Harpie. Lilac Day's winning full sister M'lisse produced multiple stakes winner Pagan Star (by Jopagan). Sweet Verbena's broodmare career was hampered by frequent barrenness.
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Sweet Verbena was bred by Simms and Marshall. She was owned by Toll Pendleton's Lone Star Stable. She was trained by John Sims Wallace and was ridden to her win in the Coaching Club American Oaks by John Maiben. She spent her broodmare career as the property of Simms' Xalapa Farm.
Pedigree notes
Sweet Verbena is inbred 3x4 to the great racer and sire St. Simon and 5x5 to seven-time English champion sire Hermit, winner of the 1867 Derby Stakes. She is a full sister to Susie Jane, second dam of multiple stakes winner Eddie Sue. Sweet Verbena is a half sister to two-time Toboggan Handicap winner Okapi (by Eternal) and to the useful sprinter Sweepster (by Sweep), winner of four stakes events. She is also a half sister to Flying Sands (by Aeronaut), second dam of multiple stakes winner My Lovely; to Killimick, second dam of 1944 Suburban Handicap winner Aletern and stakes winner Xavier.
Sweet Verbena's dam Oktibbena was produced from the Hastings mare Octoroon, a half sister to the good stakes winner Octagon (by Rayon d'Or; sire of the great Beldame) and multiple stakes winner Orthodox (by Hastings' son Don de Oro). Octoroon is also a half sister to Orienta (by Henry of Navarre), dam of stakes winners Okenite (by Hastings), Overman (by Rock Sand) and Ormulu (by Fair Play); second dam of multiple stakes winner Osprey; and third dam of 1929 Spinaway Stakes winner Goose Egg (by Chicle; dam of 1942 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Shut Out). Octoroon and her siblings are out of the Bend Or mare Ortegal whose dam Lizzie Agnes (by Macaroni) also produced English stakes winner Orwell (by Bend Or) and Ordnung (by Bend Or), dam of Grosser Preis von Hamburg winner Ohnesorge (by the high-class German runner Hannibal).
Books and media
Sweet Verbena is profiled in Chapter 5 of Avalyn Hunter's American Classic Pedigrees 1914-2002 (2003, Eclipse Press).
Fun facts
- In botany, the sweet verbena tree or lemon myrtle, Backhousia citriodora, is a flowering tree native to Queensland, Australia. As its scientific name implies, it is known for the lemony scent emitted by its clusters of white flowers.
Last updated: July 5, 2024