Bull Lea
Encyclopedia
Bull Lea was an American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who is best known as the foundation sire
responsible for making Calumet Farm
one of the most successful racing stables in American history. In their article on Calumet Farm, the International Museum of the Horse
in Lexington, Kentucky
wrote that Bull Lea was "one of the greatest sires in Thoroughbred breeding history."
Bred by E. Dale Schaffer's Coldstream Stud in Lexington, Kentucky
, Bull Lea was sired by Bull Dog and out of the mare
, Rose Leaves by Ballot. He was purchased as a yearling by Calumet Farm's Warren Wright, Sr. and sent to race at age two under trainer Frank J. Kearns. The colt finished second in the 1937 Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, two important races for his age group.
At age three, Bull Lea set a new Keeneland Race Course record for nine furlongs in winning the 1938 Blue Grass Stakes
. Made a 3:1 second choice by bettors
for the Kentucky Derby
, he finished eighth and then ran sixth in the Preakness Stakes
. The following year, the four-year-old's most important win came in the Widener Handicap
.
in 1940 at Calumet Farm's operation in Lexington, Kentucky. He became the Leading sire in North America
for five years and Leading broodmare sire
for four years. He was also the first sire in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing
to have offspring with earnings of more than $1 million dollars in a single season.
Bull Lea sired fifty-eight stakes winners, seven of which are Hall of Fame members. His progeny includes:
Damsire of:
Grandsire of:
Bull Lea died on June 16, 1964 at Calumet Farm and is buried there with a statue overlooking his grave.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who is best known as the foundation sire
Sire
Sire may refer to:* Father, the counterpart of a dam, particularly in animal breeding. See also stallion* James W. Sire, author on worldviews* Sire Records, a record label* Sire Advertising, an advertising agency...
responsible for making Calumet Farm
Calumet Farm
Calumet Farm is a Thoroughbred breeding and training farm established in 1924 in Lexington, Kentucky, United States by William Monroe Wright, founding owner of the Calumet Baking Powder Company. Calumet is located in the heart of Lexington's blue grass country, the finest horse breeding region in...
one of the most successful racing stables in American history. In their article on Calumet Farm, the International Museum of the Horse
Kentucky Horse Park
Kentucky Horse Park is a working horse farm and an educational theme park opened in 1978 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located off Kentucky State Highway 1973 and Interstate 75 in northern Fayette County in the United States...
in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
wrote that Bull Lea was "one of the greatest sires in Thoroughbred breeding history."
Bred by E. Dale Schaffer's Coldstream Stud in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, Bull Lea was sired by Bull Dog and out of the mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
, Rose Leaves by Ballot. He was purchased as a yearling by Calumet Farm's Warren Wright, Sr. and sent to race at age two under trainer Frank J. Kearns. The colt finished second in the 1937 Hopeful and Champagne Stakes, two important races for his age group.
At age three, Bull Lea set a new Keeneland Race Course record for nine furlongs in winning the 1938 Blue Grass Stakes
Blue Grass Stakes
The Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky....
. Made a 3:1 second choice by bettors
Parimutuel betting
Parimutuel betting is a betting system in which all bets of a particular type are placed together in a pool; taxes and the "house-take" or "vig" is removed, and payoff odds are calculated by sharing the pool among all winning bets...
for the Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, he finished eighth and then ran sixth in the Preakness Stakes
Preakness Stakes
The Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb...
. The following year, the four-year-old's most important win came in the Widener Handicap
Widener Handicap
The Widener Handicap at Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Florida was a Grade III stakes race for Thoroughbred racehorses 3-years-old and up. It was run over a distance of 1¼ miles until 1993 when it was modified to 1 1/8 miles. Initially called the Widener Challenge Cup Handicap, the race was...
.
Sire of seven Hall of Fame inductees
Bull Lea entered studHorse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
in 1940 at Calumet Farm's operation in Lexington, Kentucky. He became the Leading sire in North America
Leading sire in North America
The list below shows the leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses in North America for each year since 1830. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won by the sire's progeny during the year...
for five years and Leading broodmare sire
Leading broodmare sire in North America
The list below shows the leading Thoroughbred sire of broodmares in North America for each year since 1924. This is determined by the amount of prizemoney won during the year by racehorses which were foaled by a daughter of the sire.-----References:* *...
for four years. He was also the first sire in the history of American Thoroughbred horse racing
Thoroughbred horse race
Thoroughbred horse racing is a worldwide sport and industry involving the racing of Thoroughbred horses. It is governed by different national bodies. There are two forms of the sport: Flat racing and National Hunt racing...
to have offspring with earnings of more than $1 million dollars in a single season.
Bull Lea sired fifty-eight stakes winners, seven of which are Hall of Fame members. His progeny includes:
- ArmedArmedArmed was an American Thoroughbred gelding race horse. He was sired by the great stakes winner Bull Lea, which made him a half-brother to Citation...
(1941–1964):
$817,475, U.S. Racing Hall of FameNational Museum of Racing and Hall of FameThe National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 in Saratoga Springs, New York, to honor the achievements of American thoroughbred race horses, jockeys, and trainers...
inductee; 1947 U.S. Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Horse of the YearThe American Award for Horse of the Year is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. It has been awarded since 1887 to the horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year is deemed the most outstanding.... - Twilight TearTwilight TearTwilight Tear was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred filly racehorse. At age two, she won four of her six starts, finishing second and third in her other two starts. Her performances earned her a share of 2-year-old filly honors....
(1941–1954):
United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee; in 1944 she became the first filly to be voted U.S. Horse of the Year honors - FaultlessFaultlessFaultless was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1947 Preakness Stakes. Bred and raced by Calumet Farm, his dam, Unerring, was the 1939 American Co-Champion Three-Year-Old Filly. His sire was Calumet's preeminent stallion Bull Lea who was the sire of seven U.S...
(1944):
won 1947 FlamingoFlamingo StakesThe Flamingo Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held annually in March at the Hialeah Park Race Track in Hialeah, Florida. Run over a distance of nine furlongs, the inaugural race took place in 1926 at the Tampa, Florida racetrack...
, WithersWithers StakesThe Withers Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds willing to compete one mile on the dirt. Held at Aqueduct Racetrack every year at the end of April , it is a Grade III event, and offers a purse of $150,000...
and Blue Grass StakesBlue Grass StakesThe Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, currently sponsored by the Toyota Motor Corporation, is an American Grade 1 horse race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds held annually in mid April at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Kentucky....
plus the American Classic, the Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb... - BewitchBewitch (horse)Bewitch was a Thoroughbred race horse born in 1945 at Calumet Farm, Kentucky, United States in the same crop in which the stallion Bull Lea produced Citation and Coaltown. Each of these exceptional Bull Lea foals were, in time, inaugurated into the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame...
(1945–1959):
$462,605, United States' Racing Hall of Fame inductee; 1947 U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old FillyEclipse Award for Outstanding 2-Year-Old FillyThe American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a female horse in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971....
; 1949 U.S. Champion Older Female HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Older Female HorseThe Eclipse Award for Champion Older Female Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. The Daily Racing Form began naming an annual champion in 1936. Starting in 1950, the Thoroughbred Racing Associations began naming its own champion. The following list provides the name of the horses... - CitationCitation (horse)Citation was the eighth American Triple Crown winner, and one of three major North American Thoroughbreds to win at least 16 consecutive races in major stakes race competition...
(1945–1970):
$1,085,760, United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee; 1947 U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Colt; 1948 U.S. Triple Crown Champion, 1948 U.S. Horse of the Year; rated #3 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th CenturyBlood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th CenturyIn 1999, a panel for The Blood-Horse magazine was made up of distinguished horse racing people: Howard Battle, Lenny Hale, Jay Hovdey, William Nack, Pete Pedersen, Jennie Rees and Tommy Trotter. These experts compiled a list of what they considered to be the top 100 United States thoroughbred... - CoaltownCoaltownCoaltown was an American Hall of Fame Champion Thoroughbred racehorse of whom the New York Times said "was probably the most underrated Thoroughbred of the 20th Century."...
(1945–1965):
$415,676, United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee; 1948 U.S. Champion Sprint HorseEclipse Award for Outstanding Sprint HorseThe American Champion Sprint Horse award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor. Created in 1947, in 1971 it became part of the Eclipse Awards program and is awarded annually to the top horse in sprint races usually run at a distance of under one mile)....
; 1949 Handicap Horse of the YearEclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male HorseThe title of American Champion Older Male Horse is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a stallion or gelding, four years old and up. Prior to 1971, this award was referred to as "Champion Handicap Male Horse", and was open to any horse, three years old and up...
; 1949 Co-United States Horse of the Year; rated #47 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century - Two LeaTwo LeaTwo Lea was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. Born at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, her sire was Bull Lea whose progeny were already successful. Her dam was Two Bob, winner of the 1936 Kentucky Oaks....
(1946–1973):
United States' Racing Hall of Fame inductee, 1949 Co-Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly, 1950 U.S. Champion Older Female Horse - Bull PageBull PageBull Page was a Canadian Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse and an important sire.Bred by Woodvale Farm in Kentucky, he was out of the mare Our Page, winner of the important Spinaway Stakes in 1942 and a daughter of the 1929 American Horse of the Year and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Blue...
(1947):
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of FameCanadian Horse Racing Hall of FameThe Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada....
inductee; 1951 Canadian Horse Of The YearSovereign Award for Horse of the YearThe Canadian Horse of the Year is a thoroughbred horse racing honor given annually since 1951 by the Jockey Club of Canada. It is the most prestigious honor in Canadian thoroughbred horse racing.... - Next MoveNext MoveNext Move was an American Thoroughbred Champion filly racehorse. Bred and raced by prominent horseman Alfred G. Vanderbilt II, she was sired by Calumet Farm's prepotent sire Bull Lea...
(1947–1968):
1950 Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly; 1951 U.S. Champion Older Female Horse - Hill GailHill GailHill Gail was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by the renowned Calumet Farm of Lexington, Kentucky, the son of Champion sire, Bull Lea, Hill Gail is best known as the winner of the 1952 Kentucky Derby....
(1949–1968):
won 1952 Santa Anita DerbySanta Anita DerbyThe Santa Anita Derby is an American Grade 1 thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds run each April at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California and carries a purse of $1 million. Inaugurated in 1935, it is considered the most important West Coast stepping-stone to the Kentucky Derby...
, Kentucky Derby - Mark-Ye-WellMark-Ye-WellMark-Ye-Well was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred and raced by Calumet Farm, he was sired by their five-time North American Champion Sire, Bull Lea...
(1949–1970):
multiple stakes winner including the Arlington ClassicArlington ClassicThe Arlington Classic Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race for 3-year-old horses held annually at the end of June at Arlington Park race track near Chicago, Illinois...
, American DerbyAmerican DerbyThe American Derby is a Thoroughbred horse race in the United States run annually at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights, Illinois. The inaugural American Derby was held at the city's old Washington Park race track and raced there until 1905 when the facility was closed and the track demolished....
, Lawrence Realization StakesLawrence Realization StakesThe Lawrence Realization Stakes was an American horse race first run on the turf in 1889. The race, for three-year-old Thoroughbred colts, geldings and fillies, was last run in 2005.-History:...
, Santa Anita HandicapSanta Anita HandicapThe Santa Anita Handicap is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually in early March at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It is a Grade I race for horses four years old and up , and is considered the most important race for older horses in North America during the winter racing season... - Real DelightReal DelightReal Delight , was an American Thoroughbred race horse bred by the famous Calumet Farm of Lexington, Kentucky.A filly sired by one of America’s foundation stallions, the influential Bull Lea , Real Delight’s dam was the stakes winning Blue Delight Real Delight (1949-1969), was an American...
(1949–1969):
1952 Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly; 1952 U.S. Co-Champion Older Female Horse - Gen. DukeGen. DukeGen. Duke was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1957 Florida Derby.-Background:Gen. Duke was sired by Bull Lea, who was by the imported stallion Bull Dog and out of Rose Leaves by Ballot. Gen. Duke's dam was Wistful, a daughter of Sun Again by Sun Teddy...
(1954–1958):
won Everglades StakesEverglades StakesThe Everglades Stakes was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Hialeah Park in Hialeah, Florida. For three-year-old horses, the 1 1/8 mile race was run on dirt until 1994 when it was converted to a race on turf...
, Florida DerbyFlorida DerbyThe Florida Derby is an American Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses held annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida on the Saturday closest to the end of March or the first of April. Added to the racing schedule in 1952, the Grade 1 race is run at 1⅛ miles on the dirt...
, Fountain of Youth StakesFountain of Youth StakesThe Fountain of Youth Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida at the beginning of March. A Grade II event open to three-year-olds willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt, it offers a purse of $400,000... - Iron LiegeIron LiegeIron Liege was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1957 Kentucky Derby. A son of Calumet Farm's leading sire Bull Lea, and out of the mare Iron Maiden, his damsire was the 1937 U.S...
(1954–1972):
won 1957 Kentucky Derby
Damsire of:
- Tim TamTim Tam (horse)Tim Tam was an American thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Tom Fool and out of the great racing mare Two Lea , the dark bay colt was owned and bred by Calumet Farm...
(1955–1982):
United States' Racing Hall of Fame inductee, won 1958 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes - IdunIdun (horse)Idun was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who won U.S. Champion 2 and 3-year-old filly honors.Sired by Royal Charger, a son of the very important sire Nearco, Idun was owned by Mrs. Charles Ulrick Bay, wife of a United States Ambassador to Norway. The filly was ridden by future Hall of...
(1955):
1957 U.S. Champion 2-Yr-Old Filly; 1958 U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly - Flaming PageFlaming PageFlaming Page was a Canadian Hall of FameThoroughbred racehorse. Out of the mare Flaring Top, a daughter of the 1937 American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt Menow, she was sired by Bull Page, the 1951 Canadian Horse of the Year and a Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee...
(1959) :
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of FameCanadian Horse Racing Hall of FameThe Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 at the Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and thoroughbred horse racing in Canada....
inductee; won 1962 Queen's PlateQueen's PlateThe Queen's Plate is Canada's oldest thoroughbred horse race. It is run at a distance of 1¼ miles for 3-year-old thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada. The race takes place each summer in June or July at Woodbine Racetrack, Etobicoke , Ontario...
; dam of English Triple Crown Champion, NijinskyNijinsky IIThe racehorse Nijinsky was one of the greatest horses in Thoroughbred horse-racing history. He won the U.K. Triple Crown of racing. Retired to stud he became the Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland and the Leading broodmare sire in North America.He was bred at E. P... - Gate DancerGate DancerGate Dancer was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known as a winner of an American Classic Race and for his part in a thrilling three-horse finish in the inaugural running of the Breeders' Cup Classic....
(1981–1998):
won 1984 Preakness Stakes
Grandsire of:
- FabiusFabius (horse)Fabius was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1956 Preakness Stakes.-Background:Bred and raced by Lexington, Kentucky's Calumet Farm, Fabius was out of the mare Shameen, a daughter of the British Eclipse Stakes winner Royal Minstrel who was a son of the 2,000 Guineas...
(1953):
won Preakness StakesPreakness StakesThe Preakness Stakes is an American flat Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a Grade I race run over a distance of 9.5 furlongs on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds ; fillies 121 lb... - Silver SpoonSilver Spoon (horse)Silver Spoon , a multiple stakes winning American Thoroughbred race horse, was well named. She was a daughter of the great Triple Crown winner Citation. Citation was by Bull Lea, the foundation sire of Calumet Farm...
(1956–1978):
United States Racing Hall of Fame inductee; 1959 U.S. Co-Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly - New ProvidenceNew Providence (horse)New Providence is a Thoroughbred racehorse who in 1959 became the first official winner of the Canadian Triple Crown.Retired to stud duty at owner E. P...
(1956–1981):
Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee; Canadian Triple Crown Champion
Bull Lea died on June 16, 1964 at Calumet Farm and is buried there with a statue overlooking his grave.