Although he was bred in the U.S., Blushing Groom would make himself known in France. Born in 1974, Blushing Groom made his career debut as a two-year-old in 1976, where he finished third. He won his next five races. Four of those races were Group 1’s: (Group 1’s are like Grade 1 races in America; the highest class type of race) The Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny, Prix de la Salamandre, and Grand Critérium. Blushing Groom was named French Champion Two-Year-Old. As a three-year-old, Blushing Groom won his next 3 races. He captured the 1977 Prix de Fontainebleau and the GI Poule dEssai des Poulains. The colt was then sent to England to compete in the 1 ½ mile Epsom Derby. He finished third. His last race, the G1 GI Prix Jacques Le Marois, was back in France. Blushing Groom finished a respectable second. Having won 7 consecutive races, Blushing Groom returned to the U.S. to begin a successful career at stud. He stood at Gainesway Stud in Kentucky. His progeny flourished all over the world. He sired 92 stakes winners, including many notable horses such as: Arazi: Won three GI races in France in 1991 as well as the Breeders Cup Juvenile. Arazi was named 1991 European Horse of the Year and United States Champion 2-Year-Old Colt. Rahy: Sired U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Serenas Song, 2001 European Horse of the Year, Fantastic Light, Mariahs Storm, Noverre, Champion 3 yr old in England, and Dreaming of Anna, 2006 U.S. 2-Year-Old Champion Filly & Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner. Candy Stripes: Sire of 2005 American Champion Male Turf Horse, Leroidesanimaux (who sired 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom), and 2006 American Horse of the Year, Invasor. Sky Beauty: 1993 United States Filly Triple Crown winner voted 1994 Champion Older Female Blushing Groom was England’s leading sire in 1989 and America’s leading broodmare sire in 1995. In 1992, Blushing Groom was euthanized after fighting cancer for several years. He was 18. Blushing Groom still has quite an influence on thoroughbreds today. His grandsons and granddaughters have made themselves known in the jumper/hunter world as well as on the track. His sire line is being kept alive and well by Rahy, Mt. Livermore, Orientate, Cherokee Run, Congaree, Yonaguska, and now Animal Kingdom. Sources: horsecollaborative/bloodline-bragging-blushing-groom/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blushing_Groom
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 18:59:44 +0000