So if you have been on this board for a LONG time, you might remember my horse “Unbridled Lad” that I bought and turned into a Steeplechaser. (Because I was an Assistant trainer and had to be with the string of the boss’ horses so bringing him with me and training was easier than leaving him behind)
So Lad was bred by the McNair’s of Stonerside Farm in KY long before Darley bought it. Well jumping forward 19 years or so, Darley had a bang up weekend winning both the Oaks and the Derby this past weekend. I am still friends on FB with the woman who helped to organize my visit to Stonerside MANY moons ago when I got to meet ALL of Lad’s family and his dam line and her daughters are very prestigious indeed and have continued to be.
So I congratulate Vicky on her post about the weekend and she tells me “Hey… Good Cheer is from your Lad’s family”
I blink. A Lot. So I am now laughing after doing some digging. On Friday, after the Oaks I am searching and searching for why I knew the mare “Wedding Toast” (Dam of Good Cheer) But I had looked in the wrong places for a connection. I found it after I saw Vicky’s response.
Sure enough… Wedding Toast and by extension Good Cheer are out of Lad’s mom’s family down the line.
Sheba Little - Lad’s mom by Known Fact produced
Mari’s Sheba - by Mari’ Book (Most famous for being the dam of Congaree, Lad’s Nephew) produced
Golden Sheba - by Coronado’s Quest produced
Wedding Toast - by Street Sense produced
Good Cheer - by Medaglia D’Oro!!!
Racehorse wise they were also valuable as runners for the most part:
Sheba Little: Earned $9k
Mari’s Sheba: Graded Stakes Placed, made $131k
Golden Sheba: Never raced
Wedding Toast: Multiple Graded Stakes Winner, made $1.4 million
Good Cheer: Multiple Graded Stakes Winner, Has made $1.275 million as of today.
So I’m hoping that Lad was shining some light down from above on his latest kick ass filly relation.
I miss him terribly but it’s so nice to see his family kicking on.
Em
