Winning Colors and Genuine Risk Progeny
1980 Derby Filly Bred No Winners -- 1988 Kentucky Champ Foaled Two
Apr 26, 2009
The first mating of two Kentucky Derby winners, Genuine Risk (1980) and Secretariat (1973), was sadly doomed. While Genuine Risk was thrust upon the national Thoroughbred racing scene in 1980 when she destroyed the field in America's most prominent race, the Kentucky Derby, she was unable to achieve anything significant in Thoroughbred breeding.
Genuine Risk successfully foaled just two named colts. Neither birth produced a racer. Genuine Reward, her foal by Rahy in 1993, and Count Our Blessing, by Chief Honcho in 1996, never started a race.
Genuine Risk continued to be bred until 2000 when she was pensioned. In 1986, she was elected to the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
Thoroughbred Breeding Remains Mystery
Breeding connections are never privy to the reasons for and mysteries of superior, or inferior Thoroughbred crops. Seemingly, a pairing of a Triple Crown winner such as Secretariat, still a speed record holder, with a great racing filly like Genuine Risk would guaranteee a lively foal of machine-like track capabilities. However, it is only the possibilities that actually exist.
Bad luck is part of Thoroughbred breeding. The enterprise is also sprinkled with great surprises, via Carry Back.
Genuine Risk Birth
- 1977, ch filly -- sired by Exclusive Native--Virtuous, by Gallant Man --- Bred by Mrs. G. Watts Humphrey Jr. in Kentucky/Owned by Diana Firestone
- Exclusive Native by Raise a Native--Exclusive; Raise a Native by Native Dancer--Raise You; Exclusive by Shut Out--Good Example
- Virtuous by Gallant Man--Due Respect II; Gallant Man by Migoli--Majideh; Due Respect II by Zucchero--Auld Alliance
1988 Kentucky Derby Winning Colors
In 1988, Winning Colors became the second of two fillies of the decade to win the Kentucky Derby. As different in running style as she was in color from Genuine Risk, Winning Colors was trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas.
The talented filly participated in all three Triple Crown races. She finished third in the Preakness Stakes and last in the Belmont Stakes, where she appeared to play out.
Winning Colors After Race Career
Winning Colors did not win any of her final three-year-old races. Unbeaten Personal Ensign nipped her by a nose in a thrilling running the Breeders' Cup Distaff. At four, Winning Colors won the Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap.
Historically, racemares don't do as well in the breeding shed as they did on the track. Winning Colors produced ten racing foals. Her filly Golden Colors, by Mr. Prospector, won a Group 3 stakes in Japan and in turn foaled Cheerful Smile, also a Group 3 winner.
Two Winning Colors foals, one by Mr. Greeley and one by Orientate, are thriving for Gainesway Farm stables near Lexington. Winning Colors was in foal to Mr. Greeley when she died in February of 2008.
In 2000, Winning Colors joined the inductees of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
Winning Colors Birth
- 1985, gr/ro filly --- sired by Caro (IRE)--All Rainbows, by Bold Hour --- Bred by Echo Valley Horse Farm in Kentucky/Owned by Eugene V. Klein
- Caro (IRE) by Fortino--Chambord; Fortino by Gray Sovreign--Ranavalo; Chambord by Chamossaire--Life Hill
- All Rainbows by Bold Hour--Miss Carmine; Bold Hour by Bold Ruler--Seven Thirty; Miss Carmine by T.V. Lark--Twice Over
