Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Cassandra.Says — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:42:26 GMT

Vic, if you're still around -- perhaps people leave out Nijinsky II because he was born in Canada and stood at stud in Kentucky, so he doesn't come to their minds under the label "European."

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Tammicat — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:49:24 GMT

I always think I know so much about horseracing....til I read one of your stories and get blown away. I didn't know Dahlia til now, thanks to a friend in Zenyatta's diary who provided a link to this story!Great timing too; as I wait patiently for Zenny's little one I will be digging and digging for all the info I can find on Dahlia. Thanks Steve and I sure hope you are working on your thoughts for Zenyatta's story. Absolutely NO ONE else would be able to do it as perfectly as you will:)

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

palebluetulip — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:12:43 GMT

Great to discover other people remember Dahlia with as much affection as I do. She really turned me on to flat racing with her spectacular win in the 1973 King George.The next year my dad took me to see her win at York, my first visit to the races. Allez

France was great too of course. It was a little like Zarkava and Goldikova, one the Queen of Longchamp, one the globe-trotting star.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

pablo reyes — Thu, 20 May 2010 13:37:59 GMT

This is a beautiful written article. Thanks for it.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Dahlia RA — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 07:41:34 GMT

Geez, I've never even heard of this horse! So the most famous female racing horse is named Dahlia?

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Pakistan Post — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:56:18 GMT

70s era was the greatest time in racing from both sides of Atlantic.Dahlia was another bright star of the sky of that decade.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Ragsy — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:48:43 GMT

Thank You, Rick Barton what a blessed person you are....

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Star Of Florida — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:51:40 GMT

Great article but its a pity that when you were writing of the Washington International's history you glossed over the fact Sailor's Guide was an Australian horse with a remarkable record (if a somewhat controversial winner of the DC International).

Pyers was also an Australian jockey.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Rick Barton — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 19:02:17 GMT

Thanks Steve. I'll print this article and save it. I worked for Mr. Hunt at Bluegrass Farm. I was around her quite a bit. It was a great time. We moved her around a lot, but she spent most of the time at the Airport Farm, or the farm we called the Fayette Farm, which is now part of Shadwell.

One time we had Trillion, Glorius Song and Dhalia in the same paddock

To answer the question, Dahlia was not from France. She was foaled at Henry White's farm in Lexington.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Matthew W — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 02:05:32 GMT

Steve I believe colonel John would prefer dirt, and I believe they want another Gr I dirt conquest--Remember he was run up on by Macho Again/lost his action--then battled back---This is a good older horse and I'd like to remind everybody--fillies DON'T beat older males at 1 1/4 (except turf)...I do not recall EVER seeing a filly beat older males at 1 1/4, I'd like more talk about Rachel/Zenyatta in Beldame---Not Zenyatta v Rail Trip, Einstein, Colonel John---no way do I want either filly taking on those hombres at 1 1/4.....

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Ragsy — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:51:51 GMT

Is Dahlia from France? trying to find her pedigree....Is Sweet Dahlia from her?...wow...what a wonderful way to spend ones spare time....while waiting for the Diana ...

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

berttheclock — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:09:31 GMT

Yeah, quite a romp by Colonel John - Just missed the track record, but, I believe his time would have beaten the one set by Slew of Damascus in the Wickerr. Slew was another who "woke up" when switched to the turf. He had just been on the engine in the Triple Bend.

Wish there would have been more commenting over at TVG about Wickerr. Bobby Frankel trained and he loved DM - A real horse for a course - I remember a fellow who brayed for a week before one run by Wickerr, that he was going to go to DM and bet him big. Wickerr won and paid $38.00 - When, I saw the guy the next week, I patted him on the back and said "Nice hit" - Sadly, he told me that he had gone to DM, but, had lost his wad trying to run it up - When the race went off, he was still scrambling for anyone to loan him money. Long trip back to LA. Damon Runyon did not have to make up these characters at the track. Just another reason why this is the greatest game.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Steve Haskin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:57:15 GMT

Sid, Hawaii was one of the best turf horses I've ever seen and vastly underrated in the grand scheme of things, but he was an American-trained horse when he won the Man o'War. My comment referred to Dahlia as a European invader.

Tairaterces, thank you, I will be posting a pic of Mandy and Dahlia in my next batch of horse photos on Facebook.

Matthew, I thought Colonel John looked super. I'd be sorry if this win prevents him from running in the Woodward, because I would definitely have gone up and covered the race if he were running.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Tairaterces — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:27:23 GMT

Steve you have such a wonderful way with words. The only thing missing is a picture of Mandy with Dahlia.

Thank you for this enlightening article about a truely great racemare and broodmare.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

sid fernando — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:20:17 GMT

Steve, nice article. I, too, was a fan of Dahlia, as well as of Allez France.

You wrote: "Dahlia already was the first European horse to win the Man o’ War Stakes (then the championship event for American turf horses)," which is correct, but in the sphere and spirit of international racing remember that South African champion Hawaii won the Man o' War in 1969 in record time. Hawaii, of course, was owned by Charles Engelhard, who also owned Nijinsky.

Also, Old-timers in California will remember distinctly the 1963 South African champion Colorado King, who came to California and won the 1964 Hollywood Gold Cup and Sunset Handicap in the same year that Hawaii was foaled in South Africa -- 1964!

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Matthew W — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:12:51 GMT

Mike s--I saw Cougar up close several times! Most notably in Winter of '72, Santa Anita, against the likes of Triple Bend and Unconscious! Those were some bad hombres! Cougar was always there, not always winning but carrying top weight and trying the tough guys all of the time!! Ran with his head up--lovely long tail out...chain bridal...would stop and gaze into the crowded grandstand, and the fans would go wild for that, while Shoe sat amused!..."Here comes THE COUGAR", as Joe Hernanzez would say....

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Matthew W — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 02:04:24 GMT

Steve that was a real racehorse that ran today at Del Mar---I can tell in the interview harty was blown away by his ability to turf--"Changes everything" was what he said about his options/plans--wide EARLY move into the last turn...opened up and blew them away in FAST time! 'Would've won the Eddie Read, easy! I took a good look at this horse--DIDN'T bet him, but that horse knows what's goin on, does Colonel John.....

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Mike S — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:26:43 GMT

DAHLIA was great, no doubt about it, but she could sure throw in a lot of clunkers. But I'll forgive her for that because she was gorgeous and had incredible ability when she wanted to run. She won 15 of 48 and was in the money 10 times...so she was out of the money 23 times! I was at the track when she won the Hollywood Invitational Turf Hcp, which was very exciting.

In her first American start, the Washington DC International, she was a powerhouse, and she beat a very good field (including BIG SPRUCE). She was only 3 years old at the time! She came back to North America at 4 and was awesome while winning the Man O' War and Canadian International, then finished a flying 3rd in the DC International (the great DESERT VIXEN was 2nd). At 5 and 6 DAHLIA's form deteriorated, though she did pop up with a win here and there.

Someone here pointed out that DAHLIA is ranked #50 on the Blood Horse's list of the top 100 thoroughbreds. If she's #50 then COUGAR II should be #49, at least, because he ran on turf and dirt, at the highest level of competition, winning 20 of 50, and being in the money an additional 24 times, and he was in the money in 30 of his last 31 races, almost always being top weight. Alas, the Blood Horse was remiss in even including COUGAR II on the list.

DAHLIA was great, though, and she remains one of my favorite horses of all time. Her class and ability even carried through to the breeding shed.

Hi Steve...can you write a story about COUGAR II? The race named in his honor is coming up Wednesday at Del Mar!

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Ragsy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:39:29 GMT

Gee...Abbie Knowles, that would be super fantastic....never been to facebook but.. will look...love to be friends on facebook....WOW!!!

GOD BLESS YOU TOO...

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

kelso fan — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:19:00 GMT

Always love reading your articles especially about horses of the past. I remember following so many of those horses even with the limited amount of info available to those of us not in horse racing centers. Please keep in up - I do think a feature on Miesque would be really good. Thanks again!

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

berttheclock — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:16:48 GMT

Thanks, once again, for your excellent work. I missed so much of the great racing of the '70s. However, when you mentioned the flood of French fillies, there was one omission that I would like to add.

One of the most beautiful specimens of horse flesh I ever saw was Zalataia in the post parade for the '83 Oak Tree Invitational. She was drop dead gorgeous. A Grade I winner from France, this daughter of Dictus not only had the looks, she defeated the great John Henry that day. Freddie Head had come to SA to ride her.

However, following that win, very strange events began to happen. There was a cloudy issue of ownership in France. As a result, she was placed in Ron McAnally's barn. Not blaming him for anything, she did not appear to be the same filly the next time she walked in a post parade at HP. It looked as though she had lost weight. Heard through the grapevine that Freddie Head had commented on her looks, as well, by saying "What have they done to my horse?" Whatever had happened, she lost to John Henry, even though she had taken the lead in the stretch. This was the race which put JH over the 4 million dollar mark.

Madeline Paulson bought her and bred her to Strawberry Road and, thus, Fraise was the result.

Even Estrapade beat the boys in the Arlington Million - Yes, the ladies can run a step or two.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Abbie Knowles — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:56:22 GMT

Ragsy,

You were so supportive over Seattle Slew that i would like to do you a painting of Dahlia.

Are you on facebook?

Bloodhorse Publications know my name on facebook and I give them my permission to give it you so that you can let me know your address by leaving me a message on facebook.

Would you be my friend on facebook Ragsy?

God Bless

Kind regards

Abbie

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

Steve Haskin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:04:29 GMT

Right, Carnauba. I knew it was a Hunt filly. Couldnt think of her name and got them mixed up. Thanks, tesio.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

linda in texas — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:33:24 GMT

My British Freshman English Teacher at Boarding School taught us when telling about something, to describe it as if the listener knew absolutely nothing about which you were speaking. That way they would know every detail. So Mr. Haskin, i am sure Gertrude Dodge would surely agree with me,if she were still here, that you tell all of your stories perfectly and leave nothing to question. You would no doubt receive an A+ every time from her and you surely do from me. Thanks again and always. You are pretty awesome and your articles are all such treats. And now i know Dahlia.

re: Dahlia Changed the Face of International Racing

sweet terchi — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:41:29 GMT

Tesio,thanks for the info on Carnauba. I was always under the impression she had suffered the same fate as Shergar.(not sure if I spelled his name right).

Steve, as I was looking through my old stuff, I came across another filly I was fond of. Miesque (misspelled?). Perhaps she could be a candidate for a future article?