Happy Marether’s Day to everyone! This weekend we celebrate a special holiday to honor all of the mothers who brought us into this world and cared for us so dearly. I am especially thankful to have a great mom myself. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and it seemed a fitting time to focus on some of the outstanding broodmares. Thoroughbreds have mothers too and they are important to the pedigree and to the emotional and physical soundness of the foals that grow up to be the best racing champions.
Horse mothers are called broodmares. They are also called blue hens if they have foaled multiple graded stakes winners! The gestational period for a mare is about 315 to 388 days. Many breeders make efforts to limit twins thus most mares have only 1 live offspring per year. Meanwhile the stallions can sire over 100 foals per year. There is a lot to be said for sire power in estimating the ability for an offspring to develop into a champion. Don’t be mislead, pay attention to the broodmare as well.
Kentucky is the Horse Capital of the World so it makes sense that much of the breeding takes place here as well. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association recognize this state’s obligation to assist in identifying and honoring the best broodmares. Since 1946, this association has named the Kentucky Broodmare of the Year.
I first began writing for Thoroughbred U in 2015. It was a great start up year. American Pharoah won the Triple Crown following a 37 year drought. Naturally, his mom, Littleprincessemma, deserved KY Broodmare of the Year for foaling that champion. He went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic as well to earn the first Grand Slam!
Some of the honored KY Broodmare’s have themselves been champions as well as their offspring. A couple have been mother to multiple classic winners. The 2016 winner was Leslie’s Lady. She is the blue hen of Beholder, Into Mischief and Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn just had a rough time in the wet and muddy 2018 Kentucky Derby but he was already a champion and he has plans to return to Churchill Downs for this year’s Breeders Cup Classic. If it is dry, look out!
Just last month, the 2017 KY Broodmare was announced. The winner was, Lemon’s Forever! She is the mother of Forever Unbridled and Unbridled Forever, each Grade 1 winners. Lemon’s Forever herself was G1 winner, she won the Kentucky Oaks in 2006.
Who do you think might be the KY Broodmare of the Year in 2018? Our recent KY Derby winner, Justify, is a KY bred horse born to his KY bred mom, Stage Magic. She has 9 offspring thus far. Her 2016 foal was a filly, Egyptian Storm, sired by Pioneerof the Nile. If Justify has what it takes to win the Triple Crown he might set his mother up for the accolade. That would be a nice gift. Can you top that for your mom this Mother’s Day? All jokes aside, I would love to see another Triple Crown winner!
With the Black-Eyed Susan and the Preakness Stakes coming soon I will continue to keep posting. Check out Thoroughbred U for info on those races and more. Thanks and happy Mother’s Day!
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