Dahlia (horse)

Dahlia
Sire	Vaguely Noble
Grandsire	Vienna
Dam	Charming Alibi
Damsire	Honeys Alibi
Sex	Mare
Foaled	1970
Country	United States
Colour	Chestnut
Breeder	Nelson Bunker Hunt
Owner	Nelson Bunker Hunt Allen E. Paulson (1988)
Trainer	Maurice Zilber Charlie Whittingham (age 6)
Record	46: 15-3-7
Earnings	$1,489,105
Major wins
Prix Yacowlef (1972) Prix de la Grotte (1973) Prix Saint-Alary (1973) Irish Oaks (1973) K. George VI & Q. Elizabeth Stakes (1973, 1974) Prix Niel (1973) Washington, D.C. International (1973) Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (1974) Benson and Hedges Gold Cup (1974, 1975) Man O' War Stakes (1974) Canadian International Stakes (1974) Hollywood Invitational Handicap (1976)
Awards
European Champion 3-Yr-Old (1973) United Kingdom Horse of the Year (1973, 1974) U.S. Champion Turf Horse (1974) Timeform rating: 135
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame #50 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century Dahlia Handicap at Hollywood Park Racetrack Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse
Horse (Equus ferus caballus)
Last updated on December 7, 2006

Dahlia (1970–2001) was an American-bred Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racemare who won major races in France, England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. She was the first Thoroughbred mare to earn more than $1-million.

Dahlia, was a chestnut mare that was foaled in 1970 and was by the Group one (G1) Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Vaguely Noble, her dam Charming Alibi was by Honeys Alibi. She was inbred to Hyperion in the fourth generation (4m x 4f). Dahlia was a sister to Very Charming and the moderate stakes winner, Captain General. She was also a half sister to Amalgam, Canadian Bound, Golden Alibi and six others, none of which had anything like her ability, even though they were by top sires.^[1]

Racing record

Owned and bred by Texas oilman Nelson Bunker Hunt, Dahlia was trained in France by Maurice Zilber. Dahlia raced on turf in Europe, and during her career, there were few who could successfully compete with her over the grass. As a two-year-old she won the Prix Yacowlef.^[2]

At age three, in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse she was last entering the short straight but then raced past the entire field to defeat male horses of her own age and older including John W. Galbreath's Epsom Derby winner, Roberto to win by six lengths. During 1973 she also won the following races in Europe: the Prix de la Grotte, Prix Saint-Alary, Irish Oaks Stakes and Prix Niel.^[2] From there, Dahlia went on to become one of international racing's biggest stars during the 1970s and a multi award-winner in Europe and the United States.

As a four-year-old Dahlia won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, G1 Benson and Hedges Gold Cup for the first time and the Man O' War Stakes. In 1975 Dahlia again won the Benson & Hedges Stakes contested over 10 furlongs. Sent to race permanently in California in 1976, her trainer was Charlie Whittingham. Based at Hollywood Park Racetrack, she won the 1976 G1 Hollywood Invitational Handicap contested over 10 furlongs, Washington, D.C. International Stakes, and Man O' War Stakes again defeating her male counterparts. Dahlia was only the second female winner, (after Typecast) of the Hollywood Invitational Handicap since its inception 35 years earlier. In Canada she won the Canadian International Stakes in course record time.^[2]

In all, Dahlia had 48 starts, for 15 wins and 3 seconds and 7 thirds, defeating Classic-winning colts, in England, Ireland, France, Canada and the United States for $1,489,105 in prize money. Dahlia won an Eclipse Award and was voted 1973 and 1974 United Kingdom Horse of the Year. In 1981 she was inducted in the American Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 1981.

Breeding record

At the end of the racing season Dahlia was retired and went on to an impressive record as a broodmare, something uncommon among great racemares. In 1988, Hunt sold his racing operations and Dahlia was purchased for $1.1 million by American owner/breeder, Allen E. Paulson who sent her to Diamond A Farm in Kentucky.

Bred to the best stallions available, Dahlia produced 12 foals which are listed below.

• 1978 - colt Balcones (USA) Bold Forbes (USA)
• 1979 - colt Decadrachm by What A Pleasure (USA)
• 1980 - colt J.O. Dahlia by J.O. Tobin (USA)
• 1981 bay colt, Dahar by Lyphard, winner of four G1 events in France and the US, including the G1 Prix Lupin
• 1982 - colt Rivlia by Riverman, three G1 wins in the US, including the Hollywood Invitational Hcp.
• 1983 - filly Begonia by Plugged Nickle (USA)
• 1984 - colt, Delegant by Grey Dawn (FR), won San Juan Capistrano Invitational Hcp.
• 1985 - filly Dahlia's Image by Lyphard (USA)
• 1987 - filly Wajd , by Northern Dancer (CAN), G2 winner of Grand Prix d'Evry, dam of St Leger winner Nedawi.
• 1989 - filly Dahlia's Dreamer by Theatrical (IRE), G1 winner of Flower Bowl Invitational H.
• 1990 - colt Llandaff by Lyphard (USA), won US Jersey Derby
• 1994 - filly Darling Dahlia by Strawberry Road (AUS)
• 1996 - chestnut filly Tani by Theatrical (IRE)^[3]

She was pensioned in 1996 and remained there until her death, at 31 years, in 2001 when she was buried in the farm's horse cemetery.^[4]

Tabulated pedigree

Pedigree of Dahlia (USA)chestnut mare, 1970

Sire Vaguely Noble (IRE) 1965	Vienna (GB) 1957	Aureole	Hyperion
			Angelola
		Turkish Blood	Turkhan
			Rusk
	Noble Lassie (GB) 1956	Nearco (ITY)	Pharos
			Nogara
		Belle Sauvage	Big Game
			Tropical Sun
Dam Charming Alibi 1963	Honeys Alibi 1952	Alibhai	Hyperion
			Teresina
		Honeymoon	Beau Pere
			Panoramic
	Adorada (ARG) 1947	Hierocles	Abjer
			Loika
		Gilded Wave	Gallant Fox
			Ondulation (Family: 13-c)[5]

See also

List of leading Thoroughbred racehorses

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ ^{a b c} Australian Stud Book: Dahlia Retrieved 2011-1-5
3. ^ Bloodhorse Retrieved 2011-1-5
4. ^ [<http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/3672/international-champion-dahlia-euthanized Dahlia euthanized] Retrieved 2011-1-5
5. ^ Morris, Simon; Tesio Power 2000 - Stallions of the World, Syntax Software

• Dahlia at the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame