Shirley was an American

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 ...

. Ridden by future U. S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee

George Barbee George Joseph Barbee (December 12, 1849 – October 30, 1939) was an English-born jockey who was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1996. Published reports indicate Barbee lived to be 89, and is buried near Belmon ...

, Shirley won the 1876

Preakness Stakes The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held on Armed Forces Day which is also 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 ...

Background

Shirley was bred at

Woodburn Stud Woodburn Stud was an American horse breeding farm located in Woodford County, Kentucky about ten miles (16 km) from the city of Lexington. It was established in the 18th century as an original land grant property of General Hugh Mercer to ...

by Alexander John Alexander. His father was the leading sire Lexington, and his dam was Miss Carter. Shirley was sold to Pierre Lorillard IV, and was trained by William Brown.

Racing Career

Ridden by jockey

, Shirley won the

as a three-year-old.

Pedigree

References

Thoroughbred family 9-a 1873 racehorse births Racehorses bred in the United States Racehorses trained in the United States Preakness Stakes winners Byerley Turk sire line {{Racehorse-stub