Polynesian (horse)
Encyclopedia
Polynesian was an American
Thoroughbred
racehorse
owned by Gertrude T. Widener
, of the prominent Widener family
of Philadelphia, and bred by her father-in-law Joseph E. Widener
at his Elmendorf Farm
in Lexington, Kentucky
.
Trained by Morris Dixon, at age two, Polynesian lost his first three races, then bucked his shins.
. He skipped the Kentucky Derby
(won by Hoop Jr.), instead competing in one mile Withers Stakes
where he defeated Pavot. Polynesian then took the mile and three sixteenths second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series, the Preakness Stakes
, in a front running victory. Because of its demanding one and a half miles, Polynesian was not entered in the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes
. Later that year he won the Saranac Handicap
.
Polynesian developed into a champion sprinter, winning a number of important sprint races in 1946 and in 1947 and was named the U.S. Champion Sprint Horse. In his last year of racing, he went through a streak of five wins, 10 seconds, and 10 thirds.
Retired to stud
duty, Polynesian sired 37 stakes winners including one of the greatest horses in American racing history, Native Dancer
. Some of Polynesian's offspring were:
Polynesian was also the damsire of 1963 Kentucky Derby winner, Chateaugay
, and 1978 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year
, Primonetta
.
At age seventeen, Polynesian died in 1959 from colic
and was buried at Gallaher Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.
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...
owned by Gertrude T. Widener
Gertrude T. Widener
Gertrude T. Douglas Widener was an American socialite and a successful Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. Born in Albany, New York, she was the daughter of New York State Senator, Curtis N...
, of the prominent Widener family
Widener family
The American Widener family of Peter Arrell Brown Widener and his wife Hannah Josephine Dunton were from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and were one of the wealthiest families in the United States...
of Philadelphia, and bred by her father-in-law Joseph E. Widener
Joseph E. Widener
Joseph Early Widener was a wealthy American art collector who was a founding benefactor of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C...
at his Elmendorf Farm
Elmendorf Farm
Elmendorf Farm is a Kentucky Thoroughbred horse farm in Fayette County, Kentucky, and has been involved with horse racing since the early 19th century...
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...
.
Trained by Morris Dixon, at age two, Polynesian lost his first three races, then bucked his shins.
1945 Triple Crown races
Back in training at age three, Polynesian won five of his next seven starts, one of which was a division of the Sagamore Stakes. In the Experimental Free Handicap he came in third to Jeep and Greek Warrior, and fourth in a division of the Wood Memorial won by Hoop Jr.Hoop Jr.
Hoop Jr. , was an American Thoroughbred racehorse sired by the European stakes winning stallion Sir Gallahad...
. He skipped 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...
(won by Hoop Jr.), instead competing in one mile Withers Stakes
Withers Stakes
The 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...
where he defeated Pavot. Polynesian then took the mile and three sixteenths second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series, 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...
, in a front running victory. Because of its demanding one and a half miles, Polynesian was not entered in the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes is an American Grade I stakes Thoroughbred horse race held every June at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. It is a 1.5-mile horse race, open to three year old Thoroughbreds. Colts and geldings carry a weight of 126 pounds ; fillies carry 121 pounds...
. Later that year he won the Saranac Handicap
Saranac Handicap
The Saranac Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The Grade III stakes is open to Three-year-old horses and is raced on turf over a distance of 1³/16 miles...
.
Polynesian developed into a champion sprinter, winning a number of important sprint races in 1946 and in 1947 and was named the U.S. Champion Sprint Horse. In his last year of racing, he went through a streak of five wins, 10 seconds, and 10 thirds.
Retired to stud
Horse 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...
duty, Polynesian sired 37 stakes winners including one of the greatest horses in American racing history, Native Dancer
Native Dancer
Native Dancer , nicknamed the Grey Ghost, was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in history, the first horse made famous through the medium of television. He was one of the best horses produced in USA after the war...
. Some of Polynesian's offspring were:
- Barbizon (1954-1983) - American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, 1956
- ImbrosImbros (horse)Imbros was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who set or equaled six track records including a new world record for seven furlongs in winning the 1954 Malibu Sequet Stakes at Santa Anita Park and equaled the world record for a mile and a sixteenth in winning the 1954 Californian Stakes at...
(f. 1950) - multiple stakes winner who set or equaled five track records including a world record for 7 furlongs - Native DancerNative DancerNative Dancer , nicknamed the Grey Ghost, was one of the most celebrated and accomplished Thoroughbred racehorses in history, the first horse made famous through the medium of television. He was one of the best horses produced in USA after the war...
- U.S. Racing Hall of Fame, rated No. 7 in the Blood-Horse magazine List of the 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...
, sired Raise a NativeRaise a NativeRaise a Native was an undefeated Thoroughbred racehorse that was named 1963 champion two-year-old colt in the Turf and Sport Digest poll. He sired 74 stakes winners, including Majestic Prince and Alydar...
, damsire of Northern DancerNorthern DancerNorthern Dancer was a Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse and the most successful sire of the 20th Century. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association calls him "one of the most influential sires in Thoroughbred history".... - Polly's Jet - won Christiana Stakes, National Stallion StakesNational Stallion StakesThe National Stallion Stakes was two American Thoroughbred horse races inaugurated in 1898 at Morris Park Racetrack in The Bronx, New York.The race was separated between two-year-old fillies and colts and was for a time one of the premier events for that age group...
and Saratoga Special StakesSaratoga Special StakesThe Saratoga Special Stakes is an American grade II thoroughbred horse race run annually in mid-August at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is for two-year-olds willing to race six and a half furlongs on the dirt....
etc.
Polynesian was also the damsire of 1963 Kentucky Derby winner, Chateaugay
Chateaugay (horse)
Chateaugay was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse who won two of the three U.S. Triple Crown races. Bred at Darby Dan Farm near Lexington, Kentucky by his prominent owner, John W. Galbreath, Chateaugay was a son of Swaps, the 1956 U.S. Horse of the Year and a Racing Hall of Fame...
, and 1978 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year
Kentucky Broodmare of the Year
The list that follows is of the all the mares that have won the honor of being named Kentucky Broodmare of the Year. Mares are selected each year by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Mares are graded by the success of offspring just like stallions in regards to the Leading...
, Primonetta
Primonetta
Primonetta was an American Champion Thoroughbred filly racehorse. Bred by John W. Galbreath and raced by his Darby Dan Farm, she was a full sister to the 1963 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner, Chateaugay....
.
At age seventeen, Polynesian died in 1959 from colic
Colic
Colic is a form of pain which starts and stops abruptly. Types include:*Baby colic, a condition, usually in infants, characterized by incessant crying*Renal colic, a pain in the flank, characteristic of kidney stones...
and was buried at Gallaher Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.