First Flight (racehorse)

This article is about the 1940s champion racehorse. For the medical research horse used to develop the first botulinum antitoxin, see First Flight (medical research horse). For other uses, see First Flight (disambiguation).
First Flight
SireMahmoud
GrandsireBlenheim
DamFly Swatter
DamsireDis Donc
SexFilly
Foaled1944
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
OwnerCornelius Vanderbilt Whitney
TrainerSylvester E. Veitch
Record24: 11-3-3
EarningsUS$197,965
Major wins
Fashion Stakes (1946)
Astoria Stakes (1946)
Matron Stakes (1946)
Futurity Stakes (1946)
Monmouth Oaks (1947)
Fall Highweight Handicap (1948)
Awards
American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly (1946)

First Flight (foaled 1944 in Kentucky) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was voted the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 1946[1]

Background

First Flight was bred and raced by Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney[2] and conditioned for racing by Hall of Fame inductee, Sylvester Veitch.

Racing career

Her first season started in May 1946 where she equaled a Belmont Park track record in winning her racing debut with Arnold Kirkland aboard in the Fashion Stakes.[3] After a "going away" victory in the Astoria Stakes during June, the filly received some time off. She went on to win the Matron Stakes on September 28. 7 days later the filly defeated colts in winning (the then) most prestigious race for juveniles, the Futurity Stakes in October. Ridden by Eddie Arcaro, First Flight beat I Will by one and a half lengths with the future Kentucky Derby winner Jet Pilot in third. In doing so, she became the first filly to win the Futurity since the Whitney-owned Top Flight in 1931.[4] Her 5 for 6 season gained her the Two-Year-Old Filly Championship

At age three, she won two races with her main victory coming in the Monmouth Oaks.

At age four, her major win came against males when she captured the 1948 Fall Highweight Handicap. She won three other races that year to compile a record of 11 wins in 24 lifetime starts.

Pedigree

Pedigree of First Flight
Sire
Mahmoud 		Blenheim Blandford Swynford
Blanche
Malva Charles O'Malley
Wild Arum
Mah Mahal Gainsborough Bayardo
Rosedrop
Mumtaz Mahal The Tetrarch
Lady Josephine
Dam
Fly Swatter 		Dis Donc Sardanapale Prestige
Gemma
Lady Hamburg Hamburg
Lady Frivoles
Miss Whisk Whisk Broom Broomstick
Audience
Wonder Disguise
Curiosity

References

  1. ^ [ Displaying Abstract ] (9 May 1897). "New York Times - May 9, 1897". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  2. ^ "First Flight's pedigree". Pedigreequery.com. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  3. ^ Richardson, William D. (1946-05-08). "New York Times - May 8, 1946". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-11.
  4. ^ "Whitney's speedy filly collects $50,000 Futurity". Reading Eagle. 6 October 1946. Retrieved 2012-02-11.