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Golden Tempo Delivers the Phippses a Second Derby Win and 12th Classic Win, May 4, 2026
2026 Stakes Wins for Phipps Bloodlines, May 26, 2026
Kentucky Derby Contender Golden Tempo Carries on the Phipps Legacy, May 2, 2026
Golden Tempo Chasing Kentucky Derby Berth in Louisiana Derby, Mar 20, 2026
Golden Tempo Taking Next Step on the Kentucky Derby Trail in the Risen Star, Feb 14, 2026
Phipps and St. Elias’s Golden Tempo Shines in Debut; Declared a TDN Rising Star, Dec 22, 2025
2025 Graded Stakes Winners from Phipps Families, Jan 1, 2026
Mare Monday: In Foal to Flightline, Phipps Stable’s Wayfaring is Selling Tuesday in Keeneland Book 1, Nov 3, 2025
Mare Monday: Dance Club Carries on the Elite Family of Personal Ensign, Oct 6, 2025
Mare Monday: Fly So High, Sep 29, 2025
Phipps Bloodlines Represented by $3.3 Million Keeneland Session 1 Sale Topper, Sep 9, 2025
The Family of Phipps-bred Maxfield Colt in the Keeneland September Sale, Sep 8, 2025
Saratoga Sale Yearlings from Phipps Families Average More Than $1 Million, Aug 20, 2025
Fly So High’s Peak Performer Takes A Small Step Forward, Aug 10, 2025
Janney & Phipps’s Tom Collins Entered for Saratoga Maiden, Jul 4, 2025
2024 Graded Stakes Winners from Phipps Families, Dec 21, 2024
2024 Stakes Winners by Phipps Stallions, Nov 16, 2024
Phipps Colt Pentathlon Chasing Allowance Victory, Oct 11, 2024
Self Confident Entered for Keeneland Opening Day, Oct 1, 2024
Update on Dynamic One, Sep 26, 2024
Pentathlon the Favorite for his Allowance Debut, Sep 20, 2024
A Deep Dive Into the Family of Cover Model’s Munnings Colt in the Keeneland September Sale, Sep 7, 2024
Self Confident on a Two-Race Win Streak for Saratoga Start, Sep 1, 2024
Mystifying Moving to the Turf to End Six-Month Layoff, Sep 1, 2024
Dynamic One Adopted and Beginning Second Career in Eventing, Aug 21, 2024
Pentathlon Closes Strongly in Saratoga Maiden Win, Aug 15, 2024
Promising Phipps Colt Pentathlon Chasing First Score, Aug 14, 2024
Saratoga Sale Features 17 Yearlings from Phipps Families, Aug 3, 2024
Perform Returns to Saratoga in Search of Victory, Aug 1, 2024
Tom Collins Making Sophomore Debut, Jul 11, 2024
Blue-Blooded Phipps Colt Pentathlon Moves Forward with Runner-Up Maiden Effort, Jun 30, 2024
Constitution’s Half-Brother Juan Valdez Seeking Maiden Win, Jun 19, 2024
Phipps Homebred Now and Later Ending Layoff at Churchill, Jun 14, 2024
“Rising Star” Signator Stepping Up for Suburban Stakes, Jun 8, 2024
Pentathlon Takes Show Honors in 3-Year-Old Debut, Jun 7, 2024
Perform Progresses With Runner-Up Effort at Saratoga, Jun 7, 2024
Phipps-bred Pentathlon Looks to Graduate, Jun 6, 2024
Stakes Winner Perform Returns to Action at Saratoga, Jun 6, 2024
Self Confident Breaks Through With Maiden Win, May 18, 2024
Well-Bred Self Confident Seeks Her Maiden Win on Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
Phipps Filly Mystifying Wins At First Asking, Jan 14, 2024
Phipps-bred Stallions Represented by 10 Graded or Group Stakes Wins in 2023, Jan 2, 2024
Final 2023 Graded & Group Stakes Wins by Horses From Phipps Families, Jan 1, 2024
Saratoga Sale Sees Fillies from Phipps Families Fetch Top Dollars, Aug 9, 2023
15 Yearlings in The Saratoga Sale From Phipps Families, Aug 4, 2023
Dreams of Tomorrow Goes North for the G2 Connaught Cup, Jul 23, 2023
Surprisingly Seeking Another Graded Stakes Win in the Matchmaker, Jul 21, 2023
Perform in Saratoga’s Travers-prep Curlin Stakes, Jul 21, 2023
Shug Seeking Eatontown Three-Peat With Surprisingly, Jun 16, 2023
Dreams of Tomorrow Returns to Graded Stakes in G3 Poker, Jun 10, 2023
Bakers Bay Returns to Stakes Company, This Time as a Turf Sprinter, Apr 7, 2023
Phipps Female Families Finish 2022 With 40 Graded Stakes Victories, Jan 5, 2023
Phipps Stable 2022 Year in Review, Jan 2, 2023
Phipps Bloodlines Have Major Influence at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup, Nov 4, 2022
Fasig November Sale Features 14 Broodmares from Phipps Families, Nov 1, 2022
Signator Earns TND “Rising Star” Recognition, Oct 15, 2022
Eric Mitchell on Flightline’s Phipps Family, Sep 13, 2022
Keeneland September Book 1 Highlights 22 Yearlings from Phipps Families, Sep 11, 2022
An Update on “The Phipps Influence”, Sep 6, 2022
Vigilantes Way Notches Her Fourth Stakes Win in the Violet, Sep 4, 2022
Strong Saratoga Sale Results for Yearlings from Phipps Families, Aug 8, 2022
Phipps Stable 2022 Juvenile Roster, Jul 30, 2022
Saratoga Sale to Feature 17 Yearlings from Phipps Families, Jul 17, 2022
Dynamic One Wins the G2 Suburban, Jul 9, 2022
Sid Fernando on “The Phipps Influence”, Jul 6, 2022
Dynamic One Scores Second Stakes Win in the Blame, Jun 4, 2022
Phipps Foals of 2022, May 15, 2022
Phipps Stable 2021 Year in Review, Jan 3, 2022
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2026 Stakes Wins for Phipps Bloodlines
Stakes wins listed by grade/group and then descending chronological order. Phipps homebreds are in bold red font. Wins listed for Phipps female families include all graded/group stakes wins for the Northern Hemisphere and all group 1s for the Southern Hemisphere. Wins listed for Phipps sires and broodmare sires include all graded/group stakes wins in both northern and southern hemispheres. (View past lists for 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022.)
PHIPPS FEMALE FAMILIES
UNITED STATES
- Kentucky Derby (G1), CD 5/2 – GOLDEN TEMPO (3/c by Curlin), Phipps homebred, 1st – 6th dams: Carrumba / Castanet / Dandinginmydreams / Oh What a Dance / Blitey / Lady Pitt
- Louisiana D. (G2), FG 3/21 – EMERGING MARKET (3/c by Candy Ride), 10th – 12th dams: Scurry / Slapdash / Tetrarchy
- New Orleans Classic S. (G2), FG 3/21 – TOUCHUPONASTAR (7/g by Star Guitar), 6th – 8th dams: Finance / Busanda / Businesslike
- Rachel Alexandra S. (G2), FG 2/14 – BELLA BALLERINA (3/f by Street Sense), 3rd – 7th dams: Pretty Special / Snobishness / So Social / His Duchess / Businesslike
- Dinner Party S. (G3), Lrl 5/16 – FORT WASHINGTON (War Front), 7th–8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Miss Preakness S. (G3), Lrl 5/15– PEACH TIE (3/f by Preservationist), 8th – 9th dams: No Fiddling / Big Hurry
- Bewitch S. (G3), Kee 4/24 – SPEED SHOPPER (5/m by Quality Road), 4th – 5th dams: Impish / Lady Be Good
- San Carlos S. (G3), SA 3/29 – CORNUCOPIAN (4/c by Into Mischief), 1st – 3rd dams: Magical World / Pleasant Home / Our Country Place
- Christophe Clement S. (G3), GP 1/24 – SPEED SHOPPER (5/m by Quality Road), 4th – 5th dams: Impish / Lady Be Good
- Lecomte S. (G3), FG 1/17 – GOLDEN TEMPO (3/c by Curlin), Phipps homebred, 1st – 6th dams: Carrumba / Castanet / Dandinginmydreams / Oh What a Dance / Blitey / Lady Pitt
- Louisiana S. (G3), FG 1/17 – ACCELERIZE (4/c by Omaha Beach), 5th – 7th dams: Leix / Bold Irish / Erin
- Bachelor S., OP 5/1 – TWO SEVEN O (3/g Dialed In), 3rd – 7th dams: Broad Pennant / Pennant Champion / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (ARG)
- Bay Shore S., Aqu 4/18 – SOLITUDE DUDE (3/c by Yaupon), 3rd – 11th dams: Quickest / Supercharger / Get Lucky / Dance Number / Numbered Account / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Plenty of Grace S., Aqu 4/17 – AND ONE MORE TIME (4/f by Omaha Beach), 1st – 6th dams: Complicated / Consequence / Educated Risk / Pure Profit / Clear Ceiling / Grey Flight
- Primonetta S., Lrl 4/4 – WONDROUS (4/f by Uncle Mo), 5th – 7th dams: Finance / Busanda / Businesslike
- Army Mule S., GP 3/28 – PENTATHLON (5/c by Speightstown), Phipps homebred, 1st – 6th dams: Parade / On Parade / My Flag / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (ARG)
- Sanibel Island S., GP 3/28 – TAM TAM (3/f by Medaglia d’Oro), 6th – 9th dams: Stolen Base / Bases Full / Striking / Baby League
- Wide Country S., Lrl 2/21 – PEACH TIE (3/f by Preservationist), 8th – 9th dams: No Fiddling / Big Hurry
- Dixie Belle S., OP 2/14 – FRENCH FRICTION (3/f by City of Light), 2nd – 6th dams: Winner / Pennant Champion / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (ARG)
- Ruthless S., Aqu 2/6 – TWO BITS (3/f by American Pharoah), 1st – 5th dams: Spare Change / Finder’s Fee / Fantastic Find / Blitey / Lady Pitt
- Swale S., GP 1/31 – SOLITUDE DUDE (3/c by Yaupon), 3rd – 10th dams: Quickest / Supercharger / Get Lucky / Dance Number / Numbered Account / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Silverbulletday S., FG 1/17 – TAKEN BY THE WIND (3/f by Rock Your World), 7th – 9th dams: Arrogance / Iseult / Swizzlestick
- Nelson J. Menard Mem. S., FG 1/10 – LOTSANDLOTSOFCANDY (5/m by Twirling Candy), 5th – 7th dams: Leix / Bold Irish / Erin
- Smarty Jones S., OP 1/3 – STRATEGIC RISK (3/c by Noble Bird), 2nd – 6th dams: Strategy / Educated Risk / Pure Profit / Clear Ceiling / Grey Flight
INTERNATIONAL
- G.P. Gran Criterium (ARG-G1), San Isidro 5/25, ROI DU MONDE (ARG) (3/c by Treasure Beach {GB}), 5th – 9th dams: Fascinating Trick / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Golden Slipper (AUS-G1), Rosehill 3/21 – GUEST HOUSE (AUS) (3/c by Home Affairs (AUS), 5th – 9th dams: Morning Bird / Beguiling / Dynamo / Bransome / Erin
- Cl. La Copa (PER-G2), Monterrico 5/10 – MANYUZ (USA) (7/c by Run Away and Hide), 1st – 6th dams: Viva la Flag / On Parade / My Flag / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (ARG)
- Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-G2), Meydan 3/28 – FAIRY GLEN (FR) (5/f by Farhh {GB}), 7th – 8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Phar Lap S. (AUS-G2), Rosehill 3/14 – SIXTIES (AUS) (4/c by Flying Artie {AUS}), 7th – 8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Balanchine (UAE-G2), Meydan 2/20 – FAIRY GLEN (FR) (5/f by Farhh {GB}), 7th – 8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Nikkei Shinshun Hai (JPN-G2), Kyoto 1/18 – GOLTZSCHTAL (JPN) (4/c by Bricks and Mortar), 10th – 11th dams: No Fiddling / Big Hurry
- Fred Darling S. / Duty Free S. (ENG-G3), Newbury 4/18 – SUKANYA (GB) (3/f by Havana Grey {GB}), 5th – 9th dams: Special Account / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- UAE Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), Meydan 1/23 – SIX SPEED (3/c by Not This Time), 1st – 9th dams: Browse / Daydreaming / Get Lucky / Dance Number / Numbered Account / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Sumire S. (JPN-L), Hanshin 2/21 – LARGE ENSEMBLE (JPN) (3/c by Benbatl {GB}), 3rd – 6th dams: Cradlesong / Happy Tune / Hum Along / Minstress
- Kumotori Sho (JPN-L), Oi 2/18 – REALIZE GLINT (JPN) (3/c by Kitasan Black {JPN}), 2nd – 7th dams: Gloat / On Parade / My Flag / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (ARG)
PHIPPS SIRES & DAMSIRES
UNITED STATES
- Florida D. (G1), GP 3/28 – COMMANDMENT (3/c by Into Mischief), damsire Orb
- Santa Anita H. (G1), SA 3/7 – BRITISH ISLES (5/g by Justify), damsire Pure Prize
- Fountain of Youth S. (G2), GP 2/28 – COMMANDMENT (3/c by Into Mischief), damsire Orb
- Miss Preakness S. (G3), Lrl 5/15– PEACH TIE (3/f by Preservationist), damsire Orb
- Richard Hazelton Hasta La Vista Overnight S., TuP 5/2 – RIMPROTECTOR (7/g by Point of Entry)
- Cl. Jose de Diego S. (PR), Camerero 4/12 – TRAINER PLEASE (8/g by Orb)
- Wide Country S., Lrl 2/21 – PEACH TIE (3/f by Preservationist), damsire Orb
- John B. Connally Turf Cup S., Hou 1/24 – ANEGADA (4/g by Midshipman), damsire Not for Love
- Mucho Macho Man S., GP 1/3 – COMMANDMENT (3/c by Into Mischief), damsire Orb
INTERNATIONAL
- G.P. Republica Argentina (ARG-G1), Palmero 5/1 – NEED YOU TONIGHT (ARG) (6/c by Hat Ninja), damsire Easing Along
- Colorado King S. (SAF-G2), Turffontein 4/28 – FIRE ATTACK (SAF) (5/c by Fire Away)
- Cl. Benito Villanueva (ARG-G2), Palmero 4/4 – NEVADO CATEDRAL (ARG) (4/c by Gouverneur Morris), damsire Easing Along
- Cl. Juan Shaw (ARG-G2), San Isidro 2/7 – MISS TALENTO (ARG) (6/m by Equal Talent), damsire Pure Prize
- Cl. Circulo de Propietarios de Caballerizas (ARG-G3), Palmero 5/9 – LANCARA (ARG) (5/f by Manipulator)
- Cl. Víctor Matetic Fernández (CHI-G3), Hipódromo Chile 5/9 – BRUCE CROWN (CHI) (3/c by Robert Bruce), damsire Easing Along
- Cl. Andres S Torres (ARG-G3), La Plata 5/3 – SALEMA (ARG) (3/f by by Il Mercato), damsire Manipulator
- Cl. Velocidad (ARG-G3), San Isidro 5/2 – EL RAYO PASS (ARG) (3/c by Distinctiv Passion), damsire Easing Along
- Cl. Ministerio de Economia y Finanzas (URU-G3), Maroñas 3/8 – PATRIOTICA (URU) (4/f by Trinniberg), damsire Pure Prize
- London News S. (SAF-G3), Turffontein 2/14 – FIRE ATTACK (SAF) (5/c by Fire Away)
- Cl. Botafogo (ARG-G3), San Isidro 1/10 – CHELATO (ARG) (5/c by Cosmic Trigger), damsire Easing Along
- Cl. José Martinelli Gómez (URU-L), Maroñas 4/5 – L’INTRIGATORE (BRZ) (5/c by Forestry), damsire Our Emblem
- Cl. Enrique D Barreda y Ricardo Barreda Laos (PER-L), Monterrico 3/21 – MUCHOVA (PER) (3/f by Yazamaan), damsire Pure Prize
- Cl. Heraclio Barletta (PAN-L), Presidente Remon 3/15 – SMART EROS (PAN) (6/c by Smart D.N.A.), damsire Not for Love
- Mother Russia S. (SAF-L), Turffontein 1/11 – WARM RECEPTION (SAF) (4/f by Fire Away)
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Golden Tempo Delivers the Phippses a Second Derby Win and 12th Classic Win
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is a storybook win for the Phipps family who are celebrating 100 years of success in Thoroughbred racing and breeding
by B. Jason Brooks
“First Lady of the Turf” Gladys Mills Phipps began the Phipps family’s Thoroughbred racing dynasty in 1926. Her Wheatley Stable’s first winner came quickly, with James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons-trained Sturdy Stella winning a quarter-mile dash on February 2nd of that year at Miami’s fabled Hialeah Park. A century later, the Phippses remain U.S. racing royalty, winning the Kentucky Derby this past Saturday with homebred Golden Tempo – bred and owned in partnership with Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable.
As recently noted on this blog, the Phipps’s accomplishments over the last century are staggering, having bred more than 300 stakes winners, 7 Breeders’ Cup winners, 29 champions, and 8 Hall of Famers, including Seabiscuit, Searching, Bold Ruler, Buckpasser, Personal Ensign, Easy Goer, Inside Information, and Heavenly Prize.
Each successive generation has been a part of a homebred male classic winner, starting with Glady Mill Phipps’s Wheatley Stable colt Bold Ruler in the 1957 Preakness Stakes, Ogden Phipps’s Easy Goer in the 1989 Belmont Stakes, and Phipps Stable – led by family patriarch Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps – with Orb in the 2013 Kentucky Derby (bred and owned by the Phipps family in partnership with Dinny’s cousin Stuart S. Janney III, also a grandson of Glady Mills Phipps). Bold Ruler was trained by James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons and Easy Goer and Orb were trained by Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey, both of whom are Hall of Famers. And, each of the Phipps family’s classic winners were born and raised at the Hancock family’s legendary Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky.
Since Dinny’s passing in 2016, breeding and racing has remained a family affair for the Phippses, with Daisy Phipps Pulito as their racing manager, supported by her siblings and their mother Ande. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo’s Kentucky Derby win represents a remarkable fourth successive generation leading the family stable to a victory in a Triple Crown race.
Besides their successful colts in Triple Crown races, the Phippses have won six of the two undisputed fillies classics: the Kentucky Oaks with Dispute in 1993 and the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) with Edelweiss in 1933, High Voltage in 1955, Christmas Past in the 1982, My Flag in the 1996, and Smuggler in 2005. (This does not include 9 wins of the Acorn Stakes (G1), 6 wins of the Alabama Stakes (G1), 2 wins of the Mother Goose Stakes (G1), and 4 wins of the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2), each significant a race of which was considered a part of the New York or National “Triple Tiara” at some point.)
Adding to their success in the U.S., Ogden Phipps’s European stable won the St. Leger Stakes (G1), the final leg of the English Triple Crown, with Boucher in 1972 and the One Thousand Guineas, an English fillies classic, with Quick As Lightning in 1980.
In summary, Golden Tempo became the fourth Phipps colt to win a U.S. classic. When adding six Phipps fillies who won the Kentucky Oaks or Coaching Club American Oaks, as well as two English classic winners, that’s an ultra-impressive dozen classic wins for the Phipps family!
While the family stable is not as large as it used to be when Ogden Phipps had 40 or more horses in training, Phipps Stable currently has 17 horses in training and a broodmare band that typically ranges from 15 to 20 mares.
Their recent success has included more than a dozen stakes wins over the last five years (see a list of these stakes winners in the recent blog story “Kentucky Derby Contender Golden Tempo Carries on the Phipps Legacy”.) No stranger to recent Triple Crown races, they were represented by grade 2-winner Dynamic One in the 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) and stakes winner Perform in the 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1), both co-owned in partnerships and finished off of the board in their classics.
The next step for Golden Tempo is still to be finalized. His trainer Cherie DeVaux indicated on NBC’s TODAY Show on Monday that a final decision is expected by the end of the week on whether to point him to the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Laurel Park on May 16th or the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on June 6th. Notably, Golden Tempo has the opportunity to become the Phipps family’s first horse to win multiple classics, an impressive feat when considering the greats noted above whom they have bred and raced.
THE PHIPPS FAMILY’s DOZEN CLASSIC WINNERS
Edelweiss – 1933 Coaching Club American Oaks
High Voltage – 1955 Coaching Club American Oaks
Bold Ruler – 1957 Preakness Stakes
Boucher – 1972 St. Leger Stakes (ENG)
Quick as Lightning – 1980 One Thousand Guineas (ENG)
Christmas Past – 1982 Coaching Club American Oaks
Easy Goer – 1989 Belmont Stakes
Dispute – 1993 Kentucky Oaks
My Flag – 1996 Coaching Club American Oaks
Smuggler – 2005 Coaching Club American Oaks
Orb – 2013 Kentucky Derby (with Stuart S. Janney III)
Golden Tempo – 2026 Kentucky Derby (with St. Elias Stable)B. Jason Brooks (𝕏 at @bjbrooksNY) is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager residing in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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Kentucky Derby Contender Golden Tempo Carries on the Phipps Legacy
By B. Jason Brooks
After kicking off his promising career and progressing well over the winter and spring, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s homebred Golden Tempo is in primed for his grade 1 debut among racing’s most elite in the 152nd Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2nd.
In his four career starts, all at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans with jockey Jose L. Ortiz aboard, Golden Tempo has demonstrated a strong ability as a closer. This has occurred while progressively stretching out in distance and increasing his Beyer speed figures while winning or placing in all of his races.
(Photo: Trainer Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo at Keeneland, April 2026)
Golden Tempo won his December 20th career debut going six furlongs, hitting the stretch in fourth-place before blazing home to win by a length and a half with a Beyer of 78. He came back on January 17th for the 1 ¹⁄₁₆-mile Lecomte Stakes (G3), impressively inhaling the field in the stretch to win by three-quarters of a length with a Beyer of 81. Stepping up in class and stretching out for the 1 ⅛-mile Risen Star Stakes (G2) on February 14th, he hit the top of the stretch in fifth-place and continued advancing, finishing third behind winner Paladin and runner-up Chip Honcho, earning an 84 Beyer. And, most recently in the 1 ³⁄₁₆-mile Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 21st, he advanced in the far turn to third and chased dueling Emerging Market and Pavlovian to the wire, taking show honors with an 88 Beyer.
Despite the third-place showing in the Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo’s fractions show select hallmarks of the top Kentucky Derby contenders. In examining the need for speed and stamina to win the Derby, racing analyst Dick Downey wrote in his recent BloodHorse story (here) that 8 of 10 recent Derby winners “ran within one second of averaging :12 [seconds] per furlong during at least four of the five calls of their final Derby prep” and that “all but one of those eight finished the last 3 furlongs of their respective final preps in the well-known :38 [seconds] or less.” Downey goes on to highlight that Golden Tempo is one of only four Derby entries (after the scratch of Fulleffort) meeting the criteria. According to Downey, in the Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo put up “four 12s of the first five calls” and went “from the 6 ½ furlong marker to the finish line” in 37.19 seconds. This angle shines a light on Golden Tempo’s closing speed that will serve him well in the “Run for the Roses”.
Following the Louisiana Derby, Golden Tempo shipped to Keeneland where he has been thriving. Trainer Cherie DeVaux recently stated, “He has matured both physically and mentally a lot… He was always a heavier horse and took a while for him to really shape up physically, and we’re there now. He has really improved in that respect.”
Golden Tempo’s recent Keeneland workouts demonstrate his continued progress, breezing five furlongs on April 10th in 1:00.8 (the third-fastest of 20), and four furlongs on April 17th in :47.0 (the second-fastest of 58).
Given the potential for an early hot pace, Golden Tempo breaking from the outside, and his running style of settling off the pace early on and closing like a freight train, he may be on the cusp of experiencing Kentucky Derby glory.
Significance in History
A Golden Tempo victory in the Kentucky Derby would be groundbreaking for multiple reasons. First, his trainer Cherie DeVaux would become the first woman to condition a Kentucky Derby winner. Second, although he has won the classic Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, it would be the first Kentucky Derby win for Eclipse Award-winning jockey Jose Ortiz. And third, despite Curlin being an all-time great sire, Golden Tempo would be his first Kentucky Derby winner.
Since entering Thoroughbred racing and breeding in 1926, each successive generation of the Phipps family has won a Triple Crown race. Starting with Gladys Mills Phipps’s Wheatley Stable colt Bold Ruler, by Nasrullah (IRE), in the 1957 Preakness Stakes, followed by Ogden Phipps’ colt Easy Goer, by Alydar, in the 1989 Belmont Stakes, and, most recently, Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps and family’s Phipps Stable colt Orb, by Malibu Moon, in the 2013 Kentucky Derby (bred and owned in partnership with Stuart S. Janney III, Dinny’s cousin). Bold Ruler was trained by James E. “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons and Easy Goer and Orb by Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey, both Hall of Fame trainers.
(Photo: Ogden Phipps, Bull Hancock and Dinny Phipps, 1966. Keeneland Library/Morgan Photographic Collection)
Over the last century, the Phippses have bred more than 300 stakes winners, 29 champions, and 8 Hall of Famers, including Seabiscuit, Bold Ruler, Buckpasser, Easy Goer, Personal Ensign, Heavenly Prize, Inside Information, and Searching.
Today, Phipps Stable has 17 horses in training and a broodmare band of around 20 mares. They continue their winning ways, with more than a dozen stakes wins over the last five years. In addition to Golden Tempo, their recent top performers include the following:
- Pentathlon, by Speightstown, winner of the 2026 Army Mule Stakes. He is owned in partnership by Phipps Stable, St. Elias Stable, and Woodford Racing;
- Signator, by Tapit, winner of the 2025 Henry S. Clark Stakes. His owner partnership included West Point Thoroughbreds, Woodford Racing, Gainesway, Ken Langone, Lynne and Edward Hudson Jr., and Lane’s End.
- Surprisingly, by Mastery, winner of the 2023 Endeavour Stakes (G3);
- Perform, by Good Magic, winner of the 2023 Federico Tesio Stakes and a Preakness Stakes (G1) contender that year. Phipps Stable owned him in partnership with Woodford Racing, Lane’s End, Ken Langone, and Lynne and Edward Hudson Jr.;
- Dynamic One, by Union Rags, winner of the 2022 Suburban Stakes (G2) and a 2021 Kentucky Derby (G1) contender. Phipps Stable owned him in partnership with Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable;
- Vigilantes Way, by Medaglia d’Oro, winner of the 2021 Eatontown Stakes (G3); and,
- Performer, by Speightstown, winner of the 2019 Discovery Stakes (G3) and 2021 Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3), as well as placed in the 2020 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1). He was co-owned with Claiborne Farm.
Seeing the legendary black and cherry Phipps silks in the 2026 Kentucky Derby winners’ circle would be a fitting accomplishment following the family’s century of excellence in Thoroughbred racing and breeding.
B. Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager residing in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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Golden Tempo Chasing Kentucky Derby Berth in Louisiana Derby
By B. Jason Brooks
Just four months after winning his career debut, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s homebred Golden Tempo can become a virtual lock for the Kentucky Derby by finishing among the top three in Saturday’s Louisiana Derby (G2).
With eight Derby prep races remaining in the U.S. between now and April 11th, the top-ranking 20 or so (after accounting for potential scratches) will have the opportunity to race for Derby glory. Golden Tempo currently ranks 12th on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 35 points.
Since the current Kentucky Derby points system was first implemented in 2023 in which the top five finishers in Derby prep races are awarded points towards a starting position, those with the fewest points in the starting gate were Baeza in 2023 with 37.5 points, Epic Ride in 2024 with 35 points, and Mandarin Hero and King Russell who both had 40 points in 2025.
The top five finishers of the Louisiana Derby will receive 100, 50, 25, 15, and 10 points, so a strong showing for Golden Tempo would almost guarantee him a start in the Kentucky Derby.
In his three career starts so far, all at Fair Grounds with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard, a lack of early speed has left Golden Tempo with a lot of work to do in the stretch. He was talented enough to close with the necessary speed to win his debut on December 20th and then again second time out on January 17th in the Lecomte Stakes (G3). Given his running style and the way the track was playing for his third career start, he settled for third-place last time out on February 14th in the Risen Start Stakes (G2), finishing behind Paladin and Chip Honcho.
Looking to get Golden Tempo more focused early on, trainer Cherie DeVaux will add blinkers for the first time. As stated in Ron Flatter’s Horse Racing Nation story posted (here) on Friday morning, DeVaux’s strategy is that “[w]ith the blinkers, we’re not trying to change his running style. He’s a closer. He’s effective being a closer, but we just want him more involved in the earlier stages of the race so that when he does make his run, he doesn’t have so much to do.”
Stretching out to a mile-and-three-sixteenths for the first time, Golden Tempo is expected to relish the longer distance based on his past performances and breeding. As Alan Porter noted in his January 20th BloodHorse column (here), “In addition to Curlin’s qualifications as a classic sire, the distaff side of Golden Tempo’s pedigree also suggests that classic distances will be no problem for him. His dam Carrumba is by Bernardini, a champion 3-year-old whose successes included the Preakness Stakes, Travers Stakes (G1), and Jockey Club Gold Cup.” (For more on Golden Tempo’s successful Phipps female family, see “Phipps and St. Elias’s Golden Tempo Shines in Debut; Declared a TDN Rising Star” on the Phipps Stable Fan blog.)
Saturday’s Louisiana Derby will be a strong indicator of Golden Tempo’s ability to succeed at classic distances, something that DeVaux takes very seriously. In the Horse Racing Nation story, she stated that her Derby horses have to “have a good shot of having a good showing… I’m not the type of person that wants to just go to the Kentucky Derby for all the hoopla.”
Following stints that included six years with Chuck Simon and then eight with Chad Brown, Cherie DeVaux went out on her own as a trainer in 2018. She earned her first graded win with Gam’s Mission in the 2021 Regret Stakes (G3) and her first top-tier victory with She Feels Pretty in the 2023 Natalma Stakes (G1). In addition to She Feel Pretty adding four more grade 1 wins to her resume, DeVaux’s other elite winners have included Vahva in the 2024 Derby City Distaff (G1) and More Than Looks in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1). Her career’s ascent is on track for its first Kentucky Derby starter with Golden Tempo.
Golden Tempo’s success has brough a lot of excitement for the Phipps family who are celebrating 100 years in U.S. Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Having won the Preakness in 1957 with Bold Ruler, Belmont Stakes in 1989 with Easy Goer, and, finally, the Kentucky Derby in 2013 with Orb (co-bred and -owned with Dinny Phipps’s cousin Stuart S. Janney III), the timing of Golden Tempo’s success is a thrilling way to begin the start of a new century for the elite stable, this time with Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable sharing in the victories as co-breeders and co-owners. (For more on the Phipps family’s century of success, see “Saratoga Yearlings From Phipps Families Average $1M+” in BloodHorse here.)
B. Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager residing in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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Golden Tempo Taking Next Step on the Kentucky Derby Trail in the Risen Star
Ten years ago, Phipps Stable’s fifth-generation homebred Carrumba battled down the stretch and got up nearing the wire to win the 2016 Top Flight Invitational Handicap (G3) at Aqueduct with then 22-year-old jockey Jose Ortiz aboard. It was the second graded stakes race for the 4-year-old Bernardini filly trained by Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.
Despite having bred more than 300 stakes winners in the 90 years they had been in the game, Carrumba’s victory was a very special one for the Phipps family, as it was their first start after the loss of racing scion Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps earlier that week. As Dinny’s son Ogden Phipps II stated after the race, “Absolutely this win was emotional. Our first time back at the races and it’s obviously a big part of how we grew up with my dad. Coming back here and seeing a filly that he really loved and winning a stake is very emotional.”
Carrumba was retired in 2017 after her 15th career start. In addition to her grade 3 Top Flight win, she placed in seven graded stakes, including the grade 1 Ogden Phipps Stakes.
Following her retirement, she joined the Phipps broodmare band at Claiborne Farm. Her first two foals include Hype House, by Candy Ride (Ire), who was winless from three starts, and Tarnished Truth, by Blame, who never made it to the starting gate. It was her third foal, Golden Tempo, by Curlin, who would deliver the mare her first win from the broodmare shed.
Carrying on a new hope for the next generation of this special family line for the Phippses, Golden Tempo made his career debut on December 20th at New Orleans’ historic Fair Grounds Race Course. Co-bred and co-owned with Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable, the juvenile broke a step slow and settled in as the trailer on the ten-horse maiden special weight race that went six furlongs. A decade after guiding Golden Tempo’s dam Carrumba to victory in the Top Flight, jockey Jose Ortiz confidently guided Golden Tempo six wide around the far turn before displaying an impressive stretch drive down the center of the track to win by a length and a half.
The valiant victory created a buzz. The win earned the up-and-comer “Rising Star” honors from the Thoroughbred Daily News, a designation awarded to promising horses early in their careers who are likely to become stakes winners. Racing analysts also began touting Golden Tempo as a horse to watch on the Kentucky Derby trail.
In training at Fair Grounds for conditioner Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo remained in New Orleans for his second start, a two-turn test in the ten-horse Lecomte Stakes (G3) on January 17th. Retaining Jose Ortiz for the mile-and-a-sixteenth race, he settled off the pace in ninth place and weaved through traffic in the far turn, hitting the top of the stretch in fourth. He moved to a clear path on the rail and sustained a powerful drive to win going away by three-quarters of a length.
The Lecomte win awarded Golden Tempo 20 points towards a starting position in the Kentucky Derby, placing him first on the official leaderboard at the time. Since then, five other Derby prospects – Silent Tactic, Renegade, Intrepido, Plutarch, and Nearly – have earned points, moving Golden Tempo down to his current sixth-place spot in the rankings.
Having turned three years old on February 7th, Golden Tempo will put his undefeated record on the line as he continues on the Fair Grounds trail to the Kentucky Derby. He makes his third career start in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) on Saturday, February 14th, stretching out to a mile and an eighth and retaining the services of jockey Jose Ortiz.
The Phipps-St. Elias colt enters the race as the second favorite with 3-to-1 odds. Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Paladin gets the nod as the morning-line favorite at 8-to-5. As the May 2nd Kentucky Derby draws closer, the points awarded for prep races grow larger. In the Risen Star, 50 points will go to the winner, 25 to the runner-up, 15 for third place, 10 for fourth, and 5 for fifth.
Well-bred Golden Tempo shares the same Curlin-Bernardini cross as grade 1 winners Clairiere and Paris Lights, grade 2 winners Cezanne and Point of Honor, and grade 3 winners Cornishman and Spice Is Nice.
Golden Tempo hails from the accomplished Oh What a Dance branch of Phipps foundation mare Lady Pitt. Unraced mare Oh What a Dance was out of blue-hen mare Blitey who also produced grade 1 winners Dancing Spree, Furlough, and Fantastic Find, the last of which is the fourth dam of Flightline.
Oh What a Dance is the tail-female line descendant of eight grade 1 winners. She is the first dam of Hall of Famer Heavenly Prize and Oh What a Windfall, second dam of Good Reward and Dancing Forever, third dam of Persistently and Instilled Regard, fourth dam of W Heart Bond (JPN), and fifth dam of Queen Goddess.
2026 is the 100th anniversary of the Phipps family entering Thoroughbred racing and it is fitting that the racing dynasty has an exciting Kentucky Derby prospect out of a mare that has a special place in their history.
B. Jason Brooks is a Thoroughbred racing and pedigree researcher, writer, and social media manager residing in Saratoga Springs, New York.
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2025 Graded Stakes Wins for Phipps Female Families
Graded stakes races in the U.S. and Canada listed by grade and then alphabetically by race name. Click on the horse names to see a catalog-style pedigree as of the date of their most recent graded stakes win. View past lists for 2024 here, 2023 here, and 2022 here.)
- Arlington Million S. (G1) – FORT WASHINGTON (War Front), 7th–8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- First Lady S. (G1) – SIMPLY IN FRONT (Summer Front), 1st-6th dams: Complicated / Consequence / Educated Risk / Pure Profit / Clear Ceiling / Grey Flight
- Frizette S. (G1) – IRON ORCHARD (Authentic), 7th-9th dams: Boldness / Hostility / Marguerite de Valios (FR)
- Gamely S. (G1) – BE YOUR BEST (IRE) (Muhaarar {GB}), 5th-9th dams: The Garden Club / Fashion Verdict / So Chic / Striking / Baby League
- Canadian S. (G2) – READY FOR SHIRL (More Than Ready), 5th–8th dams: Brilliantly / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Churchill Distaff Turf Mi. S. (G2) – SIMPLY IN FRONT (Summer Front), 1st–6th dams: Complicated / Consequence / Educated Risk / Pure Profit / Clear Ceiling / Grey Flight
- Golden Rod S. (G2) – BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense), 3rd–7th dams: Pretty Special / Snobbishness / So Social / His Duchess / Businesslike
- Honorable Miss S. (G2) – HALINA’S FORTE (Mitole), 6th–9th dam: Animosity / Antagonism / Hostility / Marguerite de Valios (FR)
- Molly Pitcher S. (G2) – RANDOMIZED (Nyquist), 6th–8th dams: Leix / Bold Irish / Erin
- New Orleans Classic S. (G2) – TOUCHUPONASTAR (Star Guitar), 5th-8th dams: La Mesa / Finance / Busanda / Businesslike
- Ontario D. (G3) – BOREALIS TRAIL (CAN) (Quality Road), 5th – 6th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G2) – BE YOUR BEST (IRE) (Muhaarar {GB}), 5th-9th dams: The Garden Club / Fashion Verdict / So Chic / Striking / Baby League
- Temple Gwathmey Hurdle Handicap (G2) – SNAP DECISION (Hard Spun), 1st-4th dams: Salute / Personal Ensign / Grecian Banner / Dorine (Arg)
- Bold Venture S. (G3) – SIMCOE (CAN) (Uncle Mo), 5th – 6th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- British Columbia D. (G3) – RONDELITO (CAN), 6th – 9th dams: Bold Example / Lady Be Good / Past Eight / Helvetia
- Canadian Turf S. (G3) – FORT WASHINGTON (War Front), 7th–8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Del Mar Juv. Turf S. (G3) – HEY NAY NAY (IRE), 6th-7th dams: No Fiddling / Big Hurry
- Dinner Party S. (G3) – FORT WASHINGTON (War Front), 7th–8th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
- Ladies Marathon Inv. S. (G3) – STELLIFY (Justify), 2nd-9th dams: She’s A Winner / Get Lucky / Dance Number / Numbered Account / Intriguing / Glamour / Striking / Baby League
- Matron S. (G3) – FINAL ACCORD (War of Will), 1st-6th dams: Closing Statement / Consequence / Educated Risk / Pure Profit / Clear Ceiling / Grey Flight
- Ontario Colleen S. (G3) – CANDY QUEST (Connect), 4th-7th dams: A Pretty Smile / Marking Time / Allemande / Big Hurry
- Pennine Ridge S. (G3) – A. P. KID (Honor A. P.), 2nd–4th dams: Siren Serenade, Versailles Treaty, Ten Cents A Dance
- Pimlico Special S. (G3) – AWESOME AARON (Practical Joke), 7th–10th dams: Bold Example / Lady Be Good / Past Eight / Helvetia
- Pocahontas Stakes (G3) – TAKEN BY THE WIND (Rock Your World), 7th – 9th dams: Arrogance / Iseult / Swizzlestick
- San Marcos S. (G3) – THERE GOES HARVARD (Will Take Charge), 8th-9th dams: No Fiddling / Big Hurry
- Vigil S. (G3) – SIMCOE (CAN) (Uncle Mo), 5th – 6th dams: Searching / Big Hurry
Below: Phipps-bred Blame mare Complicated‘s multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Simply in Front winning the G2 Distaff Turf Mile at Churchill Downs on the Kentucky Derby undercard. Simply in Front is a three-quarter sister to grade 1 winner And One More Time (Omaha Beach) and stakes winner Churchtown (Air Force Blue), as well as a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Honor D Lady (Honor Code).
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Phipps and St. Elias’s Golden Tempo Shines in Debut; Declared a TDN Rising Star
Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable’s homebred juvenile Golden Tempo had a memorable last-to-first win in his career debut on Saturday, December 20th in a six-furlong maiden special weight race on the dirt at Fair Grounds Race Course.
With two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Jose L. Ortiz aboard for trainer Cherie DeVaux, Golden Tempo broke slowly from the gate and settled in as the trailer in the ten-horse field. He hit the top of the stretch six wide at the back of the field and proceeded with an impressive drive down the center of the stretch, winning going away by a length and a half. As Alan Carasso wrote in his Thoroughbred Daily News story, “Golden Tempo kicked in strongly and bridged the better part of a five-length deficit in the final furlong to win by a widening margin while covering his final quarter-mile in a slick :23.57.” (See the Daily Racing Form’s race chart here).
Following the valiant win, the colt was identified by Thoroughbred Daily News as a “rising star,” a distinguished designation awarded to horses early in their careers who the publication’s staff believe have good potential to become graded stakes winners. See “Curlin’s Golden Tempo Charges Home To ‘TDN Rising Star’ Laurels.”
Following the win, Fair Grounds racing presenter Joe Kristufek identified Golden Tempo as “a potential Kentucky Derby prospect” and that he may be pointed to the mile-and-a-sixteenth Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds on January 17th. Notably, the 2018 edition of the Lecomte Stakes was won by Larry Best’s OXO Equine colt Instilled Regard, by Arch, who hails from the same Phipps female family as Golden Tempo (detailed below). Out of Phipps-bred Forestry mare Enhancing, Instilled Regard went on to become a grade 1 winner, taking the 2020 Manhattan Stakes by a neck. and entered stud the following year at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky.
Frequently getting the call for Phipps Stable entries, Mr. Ortiz has had stakes success for the legendary stable, including Fly So High, by Malibu Moon, in the 2018 Davona Dale Stakes, Mr Speaker, by Pupit, in the 2015 Commonwealth Cup (G2), and Abaco, by Giant’s Causeway, in the 2014 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2). For St. Elias Stable, Mr. Ortiz added an elite win to his resume in 2025 aboard the stable’s co-owned Sandman, by Tapit, in the Arkansas Derby (G1).
Rated an A++ by TrueNicks (here) – a service using a proprietary algorithm to rate the potential success of sire-broodmare crosses based on actual race results – Golden Tempo shares the same Curlin-Bernardini cross as Stonestreet Farm’s homebred Clairiere, winner of the 2022 and 2023 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1), 2023 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1), and 2021 Cotillion Stakes (G1), as well as WinStar Farm’s homebred Paris Lights, winner of the 2020 fillies classic Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).
Other graded winners sharing the cross include the Coolmore connections’ 2022 San Carlos Stakes (G2) and 2021 Kona Gold Stakes (G3) winner Cezanne, Alpha Delta Stable’s 2019 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) winner Point of Honor, Joseph A. Schumer’s Godolphin-bred 2025 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) winner Cornishman, and Robert and Lawana Low’s 2021 Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series Stakes (G3) winner Spice Is Nice.
Golden Tempo is out of fifth-generation Phipps-bred Carrumba, winner of the 2015 Top Flight Invitational Handicap (G3) who also placed in the 2016 Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1). They hail from the accomplished Oh What a Dance branch of Phipps foundation mare Lady Pitt. (See Golden Tempo’s all-inclusive three-dam pedigree analysis from Equineline here.)
Out of blue hen mare Blitey, by Riva Ridge, unraced mare Oh What a Dance is by Nijinsky II (CAN) and her siblings include grade 1 winners Dancing Spree, her full brother, Furlough, by Easy Goer, and Fantastic Find, by Mr. Prospector, the last of which is the fourth dam of 2022 Eclipse Horse of the Year Flightline, by Tapit.
Oh What a Dance’s descendants include five Phipps homebred grade 1 winners. She is dam of Hall of Famer Heavenly Prize, by Seeking the Gold, and her full sister Oh What a Windfall, winner of the 1998 Matron Stakes (G1); second dam of sire Good Reward, by Storm Cat, winner of the 2004 Hollywood Derby (G1) and 2005 Manhattan Handicap (G1), and sire Dancing Forever, by Rahy, winner of the 2008 Manhattan Handicap (G1); and, third dam of Persistently, by Smoke Glacken, winner of the 2010 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1).
In addition to the five grade 1 winners for the Phippses, Oh What a Dance is the third dam of OXO Equine’s above-mentioned Instilled Regard, by Arch, winner of the 2020 Manhattan Stakes (G1); the fourth dam of Silk Racing’s W Heart Bond (JPN), by Kizuna (JPN), who recently became only the second filly or mare to win the Champions Cup (G1) at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan on December 7th (see the TDN story here); and, fifth dam of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and TOLO Thoroughbreds’ Queen Goddess, by Empire Maker, winner of the 2021 American Oaks (G1) who sold in foal to Into Mischief for $1.5 million at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton November Sale to Japan-based owner-breeder Katsumi Yoshida.
According to Cherie DeVaux’s post on X on Sunday, Golden Tempo looks to have come back well from his impressive debut. Stay tuned for what could be a very exciting three-year-old campaign for this talented Phipps and St. Elias homebred.
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Mare Monday: In Foal to Flightline, Phipps Stable’s Wayfaring is Selling Tuesday in Keeneland Book 1
Ghostzapper mare Wayfaring hails from a deep, successful Phipps family described by pedigree analyst Kaitlin Free “as one of the greatest in recent history.” Being offered as Hip 16 in Book 1 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, November 4, she is consigned by Lane’s End and is in foal to Horse of the Year Flightline.
Wayfaring is a half-sister to Surprisingly, by Mastery, who launched a fierce closing rally to win her graded debut in the 2023 Endeavor Stakes (G3) for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. She was purchased later that year by Repole Stable as a racing or broodmare prospect for $1 million from the Claiborne Farm consignment at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale.
Wayfaring’s dam Vagabond, by Arch, is half to Alpha Delta Stables’ Great Island, by Scat Daddy, who was runner-up in the 2021 Flower Bowl Stakes (G1) behind the classy three-time grade 1 winner War Like Goddess, by English Channel. In her prior race, Great Island defeated three graded winners thanks to an impressive rally that took her from last to first to win going away in the Matchmaker Stakes (G3).
Second dam Voyage, by Rahy, is a half to two multiple grade 1 winners, a stakes winner, and a stakes-placed finisher who produced a stakes winner. Her most successful sibling is five-time grade 1-winning sire Point of Entry, by Dynaformer, who retired in 2013 with nearly $2.5 million in career earnings. His marquee victories included three successive grade 1 victories in 2012 – including the Man o’ War Stakes (G1), Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes (G1), and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (G1). He finished his campaign that year with runner-up honors in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Point of Entry’s 2013 campaign kicked off in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) – renamed the Pegasus World Cup Turf starting in 2019 – with an impressive victory over a field that included 2011 Kentucky Derby winner and Eclipse champion Animal Kingdom. He picked up his fifth career grade 1 win next time out with a come-from-behind victory in the Manhattan Handicap (G1). An Eclipse award finalist in 2012 and 2013 for male turf horse (won both years by Hall of Famer Wise Dan), Point of Entry entered stud in Kentucky in 2014 at Adena Springs and is the sire of two champions and a dozen graded or group stakes winners in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and United Arab Emirates.
Voyage’s half-sister Pine Island, by Arch, won the prestigious Alabama Stakes (G1) and Gazelle Stakes (G1), and finished runner-up in the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) and fillies classic Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). Voyage’s half-brother Bokeelia Island, by Medaglia d’Oro, went from last to first to earn his first stakes victory in the 2019 JR Malouff Handicap and won the Veterans Stakes later that year. Her other half-sister Chili Cat, by Storm Cat, placed in the A Wild Ride Stakes and produced Cat’s Claw, by Dynaformer, who rallied to win the 2014 Waya Stakes at Saratoga.
Wayfaring’s winning third dam Matlacha Pass, by Seeking the Gold, is a full sister to Pleasant Home who won the 2005 winner of the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) by 8 lengths. That year, she also won the Bed o’ Roses Stakes (G3) and was runner-up in the Ballerina Stakes (G1) and Spinster Stakes (G1).
Though her daughter Magical World, by Distorted Humor, Pleasant Home is the granddam of a multiple grade 1-winning Three Chimneys Farm-bred Guarana, by Ghostzapper. She was a 6-length winner of the 2019 Acorn Stakes (G1) in her second career start, followed by a victory in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). In 2020, Guarana added a third grade 1 win in the Madison Stakes (G1), bringing her career earnings to more than $1 million. Guarana sold the following year in foal to Into Mischief for $4.4 million at the Faisg-Tipton November Sale. Her dam Magical World, who was also in foal to Into Mischief, sold at the same sale for a whopping $5.4 million.
In addition to Guarana, Magical World produced Pioneer of the Nile colt Beatbox, who was purchased at the 2019 Keenland September Yearling Sale for $2.1 million and won the 2024 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3). Magical World’s third stakes winner Magic Dance, by More Than Ready, placed in the 2019 Adirondack Stakes (G3) after a victory Churchill’s Debutante Stakes.
Matlacha Pass’s full sister Country Hideaway was a four-time graded winner, with victories in the First Flight Handicap (G2) in 1999 and 2000, Vagrancy Handicap (G2) in 2000, and Bed o’ Roses Handicap (G3) in 2001. She was also three-time grade 1-placed after finishing runner-up in the Ballerina Handicap (G1) in 2000 and 2021 and placing in the Ruffian Handicap (G1) in 2000. Country Hideaway is the dam of Boca Grande, by A.P. Indy, who had victories in the 2006 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) and 2007 Comely Stakes (G2). In addition to her graded wins, Boca Grande placed in the Mother Goose Stakes (G1) and Test Stakes (G1) in 2007. Through Boca Grande’s branch of her family, Country Hideaway is the third dam of Osamu Satomi’s Satono Tempest (JPN), winner of the 7-furlong Takasegawa Stakes in 2023 in his native Japan. Country Hideaway also foaled Vacation, by Dynaformer, who rallied five wide to convincingly win Arlington Park’s 2009 Hanshin Cup Handicap (G3) by 2¼ lengths.
Also by Seeking the Gold, Matlacha Pass’s other full sister Home Sweet Home is the dam of Birdie Birdie (JPN), by Brian’s Time, winner of the 2010 Unicorn Stakes (G3) in Japan. He also won four other stakes and retired with nearly US $2.9 million in earnings.
Wayfaring’s fourth dam is Our Country Place, by Pleasant Colony, was acquired by Ogden Phipps in 1993. She was a half-sister to Sugar Maple Farm-bred Hall of Famer Sky Beauty, by Blushing Groom (FR). Trained by Allen Jerkens, Maplejinsky was a nine-time grade 1 winner, including the New York Triple Tiara (Acorn Stakes {G1}, Mother Goose Stakes {G1}, Coaching Club American Oaks {G1}) and Alabama Stakes (G1). Our Country Place and Sky Beauty are half to Silence Beauty (JPN), by Sunday Silence, dam of Charles Fipke’s homebred Tale of Ekati, by Take of the Cat, who won the Wood Memorial (G1) and Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) and entered study in Kentucky in 2011 at Darby Dan Farm.
Wayfaring’s fifth dam Maplejinsky, by Nijinsky II, was half-sister to 1990 English Horse of the Year Dayjur, by Danzig, and her sixth dam was champion sprinter Gold Beauty, by Mr. Prospector.
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Mare Monday: Dance Club Carries on the Elite Family of Personal Ensign
Phipps Stable’s blue-blooded Candy Ride (Arg) mare Dance Club hails from one of the most highly sought-after families in Thoroughbred breeding and racing, a family that includes a Hall of Famer, champions, Breeders’ Cup winners, grade 1 winners, and multiple active sires. She also has the distinction of being last foal out of Storm Flag Flying who died from complications during the foaling of Dance Club. Storm Flag Flying followed in the footsteps of her dam My Flag and granddam Personal Ensign to become the only line of three consecutive generations of Breeders’ Cup winners.
Trained by Hall of Famer Claude R. “Shug” McGaughey, Dance Club made two career starts, both at the age of two at Saratoga. In her debut, a five and a half furlong dirt sprint for juvenile fillies, she was checked at the start and recovered, rallying to take show honors behind two future black-type earners. Those crossing the finish line ahead of her were Justin Phillip filly Lady T N T, who went on to win the Charles Town Oaks (G3), and Into Mischief filly Into Mystic, an eventual three-time stakes winner who started in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1).
Above: Dance Club with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard before her career debut at Saratoga.
Dance Club followed up her debut four weeks later at The Spa by stretching out to seven furlongs. Despite a clean trip, the distance proved to be too much for her, finishing off the board in a race won by champion Havre de Grace’s Tapit filly Graceful Princess who went on to win the Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3).
The Phipps Stable homebred is a full sister to a graded stakes-placed sire and two producers of graded stakes winners. She is a full sister to sire Revved Up, runner-up in the Arlington Handicap (G2) who entered stud in 2021 at River Oaks Farms in Oklahoma. Dance Club is a half-sister to St. Elias Stable’s Street Cry (Ire) mare Playtime, dam of Appalachian Stakes (G2) winner Jouster who sold as a broodmare prospect for $1.5 million at the 2022 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. Playtime also has a promising 3-year-old colt by Curlin named Classicist who broke his maiden in July at Saratoga and came back to win his first allowance start in September at Aqueduct. Dance Club is also a half-sister to Smart Strike mare Beat the Drums, dam of Suburban Stakes (G2) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner Dynamic One.
Dance Club is out of Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps’s champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying who won the honor after three consecutive top-level wins, including the Matron Stakes (G1), Frizette Stakes (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1). She added a fourth elite win in the Personal Ensign Handicap (G1), an extra special victory since it was her granddam’s namesake race.
Storm Flag Flying is a half-sister to a multiple graded stakes winner, a producer of a multiple group 1 winner, two producers of multiple graded stakes winners, and other black-type earners and producers.
She is a half-sister to A.P. Indy mare With Flying Colors who earned blacktype with a victory in the Floral Park Heatherten Stakes and is the dam of St. Elias Stable’s Teresa Z, by Smart Strike, winner of the Monmouth Oaks (G3) and Turnback the Alarm Stakes (G3). With Flying Colors is also the granddam of Team Valor’s Queen Azteca, by Sharp Azteca, this year’s United Arab Emirates Oaks (G3) winner at Meydan.
Her other siblings include Parading, by Pulpit, winner of the Dixie Stakes (G2) and Ben Ali Stakes (G3); grade 2-placed Protesting, by A.P. Indy, dam of Performer, by Speightstown, winner of the Discover Stakes (G3) and Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3), as well as Breaking the Rules, by War Front, winner of the Tropical Park Derby who also placed in multiple graded stakes; Sound the Trumpets, by Bernardini, dam of Miles D who placed in the Travers Stakes (G1) and won the Discovery Stakes; grade 3-placed On Parade, by Storm Cat, who is granddam of Madras Check, by Malibu Moon, a multiple stakes winner in Japan; and Viva La Flag, by Rahy, dam of Kentucky-bred Manyuz, by Run Away and Hide, a multiple group 1 winner in Peru, and granddam of Brocknardini, by Palace Malice, winner of the Selima Stakes.
Going back another generation, Dance Club’s granddam is Ogden Phipps’s homebred My Flag, the daughter of two Phipps homebred Hall of Famers in her sire Easy Goer and dam Personal Ensign. My Flag earned her first elite win in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and added three more prestigious victories to her resume, including the fillies classic Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Ashland Stakes (G1), and Gazelle Handicap (G1). She also notably placed against males in the classic Belmont Stakes (G1), finishing behind Editor’s Note and future Hall of Famer Skip Away.
My Flag is a half-sister to two grade 1-winning sires, a sire of a dual-classic winner, a grade 1 producer, and two granddams of grade 1-winning sires.
Her half-brothers include trio of sires by Mr. Prospector, including Miner’s Mark, winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), Traditionally, winner of the Oaklawn Handicap (G1), and Our Emblem, a multiple grade 1-placed sire of Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner War Emblem.
My Flag is also a half-sister to multiple graded stakes-placed Salute, by Unbridled, dam of sire Mr Speaker, winner of the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1) who entered stud in 2016 at Lane’s End and now stands in Texas at Forks of the Paluxy; Title Seeker, by Monarchos, granddam of Charles Fipke’s homebred Seeking the Soul, by Perfect Soul (Ire), winner of the Clark Handicap (G1) and runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) who entered stud in 2021 at Ocala Stud in Florida; and Possibility, by A.P. Indy, the granddam of Zedan Racing’s Arabian Lion, by Justify, winner of the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) who entered stud in 2024 at Spendthrift Farm. Possibility is also the granddam of Clearsky Farms-bred Major Dude, by Bolt d’Oro, winner of the Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2), Pilgram Stakes (G2), Penn Mile Stakes (G2), and the Kitten’s Joy Stakes (G3).
While some super fillies fail to replicate their racing success as broodmares, such as Zenyatta and Winning Colors, that was not the case for Dance Club’s great-granddam Personal Ensign, as noted above in My Flag and her accomplished siblings. An undefeated champion from 13 starts, Personal Ensign won eight grade 1 races, and her Hall of Fame career was appropriately capped off with an unforgettable marquee victory over Kentucky Derby winner Winning Colors in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).
Despite Dance Club being winless from two starts, a lack of success on the track has not prevented dams in her family from becoming successful broodmares. Such is the case for the above-mentioned Jouster’s dam Playtime, Dynamic One’s dam Beat the Drums, Queen Azteca’s dam Princesa Helena, Miles D’s dam Sound the Trumpets, and Seeking the Soul’s granddam Title Seeker.
Above: Dance Club crossing the finish line in her career debut at Saratoga.
As a broodmare, Dance Club has two foals racing age, including I Am On The List, a 4-year-old colt by City of Light, and Rhythm Quest, a 3-year-old filly by Nyquist. She also has a yearling colt by Tapit and a weanling filly by Essential Quality, both of which have the same female family and sire line as the above-mentioned Comely Stakes (G2) runner-up Parade. Dance Club is in foal to Good Magic and it will share the same female family and sire line as the above-mentioned Travers Stakes-placed Miles D.
Personal Ensign’s legacy carries on through her successful descendants and Dance Club’s progeny will hopefully continue to bolster it for years to come.
Phipps Stable Fan 