Blushing Groom (8 April 1974 – 6 May 1992) was a French champion

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. Thoroughbreds are c ...

racehorse Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic pr ...

and

sire Sire is an archaic respectful form of address to reigning kings in Europe. In French and other languages it is less archaic and relatively more current. In Belgium, the king is addressed as "Sire..." in both Dutch and French. The words "sire" a ...

Background

He was bred by American businessman

John McNamee Sullivan John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

and was raced by HH Aga Khan IV. A descendant of

Nearco Nearco (January 24, 1935 – June 27, 1957) was an Italian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse described by ''Thoroughbred Heritage'' as "one of the greatest racehorses of the Twentieth Century" and "one of the most important sires of the century." He ...

, Blushing Groom was sired by

Red God Red God (1954–1979) was a Thoroughbred race horse foaled in Kentucky who competed in England and the United States but who is best known as the sire of Blushing Groom who prominent turfman Edward L. Bowen calls one of the great international s ...

and out of the mare Runaway Bride. He was trained by

François Mathet François Mathet ( at Vesoul – at Neuvy-le-Barrois) trained racehorses, specialising in flat racing. In France he is well-remembered for being one of the best equestrian trainers in the country's history. Early life Mathet was the ...

in France.

Racing record

Blushing Groom raced six times in 1976 at age two. He finished third in his debut, then won the next five races, including four

Group One Group One, Group 1, Grade I or G1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. In Europe, the level of races for Thoroughbred racing is determined using the Pattern races, Pattern race sys ...

events, capturing the Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny, Prix de la Salamandre, and

Grand Critérium Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor * Grand Mixer DXT, American turntablist * Grand Puba (born 1966), American rapper Places * Grand, Oklahoma * Grand, Vosges, village and commun ...

. His performances earned him French Champion Two-Year-Old honors. As a three-year-old, Blushing Groom extended his win streak to seven, winning the 1977

Prix de Fontainebleau The Prix de Fontainebleau is a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile) at Long ...

and the GI Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Sent to England to compete in The Derby, he faced a 1½ mile challenge, a distance fifty percent longer than he had ever run before. He finished third to winner

The Minstrel The Minstrel (11 March 1974 – 3 September 1990) was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Bred in Ontario, he was sold as a yearling and exported to Europe, where he was campaigned in Ireland and the United Kingd ...

, a son of

Northern Dancer Northern Dancer (May 27, 1961 – November 16, 1990) was a Thoroughbred who, in 1964, became the first Canadian-bred horse to win the Kentucky Derby. He then became one of the most successful sires of the 20th century. He is considered a Canad ...

. In his final race, Blushing Groom finished second in France's GI

Prix Jacques Le Marois The Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,600 metres (about 1 mile ...

Stud record

Although Blushing Groom met with considerable success in racing, he became an even greater as a

. He was sent to stand at stud at

Gainesway Farm Gainesway Farm is an American Thoroughbred horse breeding business in Lexington, Kentucky. It was originally called Greentree Farms. The 1,500 acre (6 km²) property has been home to stallions such as Youth and Exceller and numerous others w ...

Lexington, Kentucky Lexington is a city in Kentucky, United States that is the county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, Fayette County. By population, it is the List of cities in Kentucky, second-largest city in Kentucky and List of United States cities by popul ...

, where he sired winners at major tracks in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Like his sire

, Blushing Groom had been a champion miler but many of his offspring are renowned for their stamina and have been able to win consistently at longer distance

Blushing Groom has sired 92 stakes winners. Some of his notable progeny includes: * Arazi (horse), Arazi – won three GI races in France in 1991 plus the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, voted 1991 European Horse of the Year and United States Champion 2-Year-Old Colt * Baillamont – won Prix Jean Prat, Prix Ganay, Prix d'Ispahan *

Blush With Pride Blush With Pride (June 5, 1979 – August 16, 2005) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. A winner of the Kentucky Oaks, Blush With Pride won graded stakes races on both dirt and turf during her racing career. She later went on to become an imp ...

– won the Kentucky Oaks *

Blushing John {{Infobox racehorse , horsename = Blushing John , image = , caption = , sire = Blushing Groom , grandsire = Red God , dam = La Griffe , damsire = Prince John , sex = Stallion , foaled = 1985 , country = United States , colour = ...

– won Poule d'Essai des Poulains,

Hollywood Gold Cup The Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes is a Grade I American thoroughbred horse race for horses age three and older over a distance of miles on the dirt held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California in May. The race currently offers a purse of $400,000. ...

, 1989 U.S. Eclipse Award for Outstanding Older Male Horse *

Candy Stripes Candy Stripes (April 12, 1982 – February 28, 2007) was an American thoroughbred race horse and sire. A descendant of the great Nearco through his sire, Blushing Groom, he was out of the mare Bubble Company, a granddaughter of the 20th Century's ...

– sire of 2005 American Champion Male Turf Horse,

Leroidesanimaux Leroidesanimaux (September 27, 2000 – May 27, 2016) was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in Brazil and was an Eclipse Award winner in the United States. Background His name was four French-language words combined. ''Le roi des animaux'' t ...

, and 2006

American Horse of the Year The American Award for Horse of the Year, one of the Eclipse Awards, is the highest honor given in American thoroughbred horse racing. Because Thoroughbred horse racing in the United States has no governing body to sanction the various awards, "Hor ...

, Invasor * Crystal Glitters – won Prix d'Ispahan (1983 & 1984) * Digamist – won Phoenix Stakes *

Gold Splash Gold Splash (foaled 23 January 1990) was an American-bred, French-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was one of the best two-year-old fillies of her generation in France when she won the Prix Marcel Boussac on her third appearance. ...

– won Coronation Stakes, Prix Marcel Boussac *

Groom Dancer A bridegroom (often shortened to groom) is a man who is about to be married or who is newlywed. When marrying, the bridegroom's future spouse (if female) is usually referred to as the bride. A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man an ...

– won

Prix Lupin The Prix Lupin was a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres (about 1 mile and 2½ furlongs), and it was scheduled to take place each year in ...

, sired Groom Tesse, Egerton * Nashwan – in 1989 won

2,000 Guineas The 2000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) and scheduled to take place each year at ...

Eclipse Stakes The Eclipse Stakes is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown P ...

Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, also known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, and as the Cazoo Derby for sponsorship reasons, is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey o ...

, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, sire of

Bago Bago may refer to: Places Myanmar * Bago, Myanmar, a city and the capital of the Bago Region * Bago District, a district of the Bago Region * Bago Region an administrative region * Bago River, a river * Bago Yoma or Pegu Range, a mountain range ...

Swain Swain, Swains or Swain's may refer to: Places * Swain Islands, Antarctica * Swain's Island (Newfoundland and Labrador), Canada * Swains Island, an atoll in the Tokelau chain, American Samoa * Swain County, North Carolina, United States * Swains ...

Nassipour Nassipour (1980 – 7 May 1994) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Australia. He was bred in Kentucky by the Aga Khan. His sire, Blushing Groom, was the 1977 European Champion Three-Year-old and the 1989 Leading sire ...

– won

Canadian International Stakes The Canadian International Stakes is a Grade I stakes race for thoroughbred racehorses three years of age and up on Turf. It is held annually in October at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The current purse is Since its creation i ...

, sired

Let's Elope Let's Elope (20 November 1987 – 11 September 2016) was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse in Australia. Background Bred by Highview Stud in Hamilton, New Zealand, Let's Elope was a giant chestnut mare who in 1991 became the first mare in ...

, Tie the Knot *

Rahy Rahy (February 18, 1985 – September 22, 2011) was a Thoroughbred racehorse who competed in England and the United States. Background Bred by Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington, Rahy was a son of the very important sire Blushing Groom and out o ...

– sire of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee

Serena's Song Serena's Song (foaled April 4, 1992) is an American Thoroughbred race horse. She won 17 graded stakes races, including 11 Grade I (some against males and older mares), in three seasons for $3,286,388 in earnings. Background Serena's Song is a s ...

, 2001 European Horse of the Year, Fantastic Light,

Mariah's Storm Mariah's Storm (born April 1, 1991, in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred racehorse, bred by Donald T. Johnson's Crescent Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. She suffered a serious injury while racing but later made a full recovery and continued her c ...

Noverre Noverre (May 2, 1998 – 2012) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Background Noverre was a bay horse bred by Darley Stud and raced by a sister operation, Godolphin Racing. He was sired by Rahy, out of the ...

, Champion 3 yr old in England, and Dreaming of Anna, 2006 U.S. 2-Year-Old Champion Filly &

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies The Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies is a -mile thoroughbred horse race on dirt (although the distance has varied, depending on the configuration of the host track) for two-year-old fillies run annually since 1984 at a different racetrack in the Uni ...

winner *

Rainbow Quest ''Rainbow Quest'' (1965–66) was a U.S. television series devoted to folk music and hosted by Pete Seeger. It was videotaped in black-and-white and featured musicians playing in traditional American music genres such as traditional folk music, ...

– won Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe,

Coronation Cup The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards (2, ...

, the

Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain & Ireland The list below shows the leading sire of broodmares in Great Britain and Ireland for each year since 1899. This is determined by the amount of prize money won during the year in Great Britain and Ireland by racehorses that were foaled by a daughter ...

in 2003 & 2004 *

Runaway Groom Runaway Groom (1979–2007) was a Canadian Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse. Background Bred by Gardiner Farms in Caledon, Ontario, Runaway Groom was sired by the prominent Nearco descendant Blushing Groom out of the mare Yonnie Girl. He ...

–

Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honour those who have made a significant contribution to the sport of harness and Thoroughbred horse racing in Canada. It is located at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario. The H ...

* Sky Beauty – 1993 United States' Filly Triple Crown winner voted 1994 Champion Older Female *

Snow Bride Snow Bride (1986 in Kentucky – 2009) was a British Thoroughbred race horse and broodmare. Background Snow Bride was a chestnut mare bred in the United States by Darley Stud Management Co. Ltd. She was sired by Blushing Groom. Racing car ...

– won Epsom Oaks Among others, Blushing Groom is the grandsire of

Tawrrific Tawrrific (1984–1999) was a Thoroughbred racehorse who is best remembered for winning the 1989 Melbourne Cup. Trained by Lee Freedman and ridden by Shane Dye, he won in the then record time of three minutes and 17.1 seconds. Early career A ...

Cherokee Run Cherokee Run (March 15, 1990 – July 2, 2016) was an American thoroughbred racehorse and sire. Background He was bred by George Onett of Stone Gate Farm. Founder of Ocala Breeder Sales Company and first chairman of the board. sired by 1982 ...

Silic {{Infobox racehorse , horsename = Silic , image = , caption = , sire = Sillery , grandsire = Blushing Groom , dam = Balletomane , damsire = Sadler's Wells , sex = Stallion , foaled = 1995 , country = France , colour = Bay , breeder ...

Subordination Subordination may refer to *Subordination in a hierarchy (in military, society, etc.) ** Insubordination, disobedience *Subordination (linguistics) * Subordination (finance) * Subordination agreement, a legal document used to deprecate the claim ...

, Congaree,

, Tie the Knot,

, Dreaming of Anna,

and 2006 World Champion, Invasor. He is also the damsire of Awesome Again,

Kahyasi Kahyasi (2 April 1985 – 2008) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred horse racing, racehorse. He won the first five races of his seven-race career, including the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby as a three-year-old in 1988. Backg ...

Lammtarra Lammtarra (2 February 1992 7 July 2014) was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse. He was undefeated in his career and won three Group One races in 1995, in which year he was voted the Cartier Three-Year-Old European Champi ...

Mayano Top Gun Mayano Top Gun（マヤノトップガン, March 24, 1992 - November 3, 2019） was a Japanese Thoroughbred racehorse. His wins included the Kikuka Sho, Arima Kinen, Takarazuka Kinen, Hanshin Daishoten and Tenno Sho. In 1995, he was awarded the ...

, 2000 Japanese Horse of the Year

T M Opera O T M Opera O ( ja, テイエムオペラオー, link=no, March 13, 1996 – May 2018) was a champion Japanese thoroughbred racehorse, and was the world's all-time leading money earner at the time of his retirement in 2001. In 1999, he was the ...

, and Goldikova. Blushing Groom died in 1992 and is buried at

Pedigree

References

;Notes {{Reflist ;Sources
Official website for Blushing Groom at AgaKhanStuds.com
1974 racehorse births 1992 racehorse deaths Racehorses bred in France Racehorses trained in France British Champion Thoroughbred Sires British Champion Thoroughbred broodmare sires Thoroughbred family 22-d Chefs-de-Race