Watervale (1908 – 1921) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse of exceptional speed who set two track records in the United States and a national record in Canada.

Watervale
SireWatercress
GrandsireSpringfield
DamLady Violet
DamsireThe Ill-Used
SexStallion
Foaled1908
CountryUnited States
ColourBay
BreederAugust Belmont Jr.
OwnerAugust Belmont Jr.
TrainerJohn Whalen
Major wins
Triple Crown Race wins:
Preakness Stakes (1911)

Background

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Bred at August Belmont Jr.'s Nursery Stud near Lexington, Kentucky, Watervale's dam was the retrospective American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly for 1892. His British-born sire, Watercress, was a winner of the 1892 Prince of Wales's Stakes who was imported to the United States by prominent breeder, James Ben Ali Haggin. Watercress also sired the very good filly, Rhine Maiden.[1] His grandsire, Springfield, was bred by Queen Victoria and was a winner of the first two runnings of the July Cup in 1876–1877 at Newmarket Racecourse.

Racing career

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Among his races at age two, Watervale won a six furlong race for his age group at Sheepshead Bay Race Track[2] and finished third in the Grand Union Hotel Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.[3]

Racing at age three, on May 1, 1911, Watervale equaled the Pimlico track record of 1:12 1/5 for six furlongs.[4] Ridden by Eddie Dugan, on May 17, 1911, Watervale set another Pimlico track record of 1:51 flat for 1⅛ miles in winning an American Classic, the Preakness Stakes. On July 5, 1911, Watervale broke the Canadian record for a mile and a furlong when he won the feature race at Fort Erie Racetrack in Fort Erie, Ontario. His winning time of 151 2/5 was achieved despite being slowed by his jockey before the finish line.[5]

Stud career

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At stud, Watervale met with limited success as a sire. He was euthanized at the Military Stock Farm after becoming blind in October 1921.[6]

Pedigree

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Pedigree of Watervale (USA), bay stallion, 1908[1]
Sire
Watercress (GB)
1889
Springfield (GB)
1873 
St.Albans Stockwell
Bribery
Viridis Marsyas
Maid of Palmyra
Wharfedale (GB)
1879
Hermit Newminster
Seclusion
Bonnie Doon Rapid Rhone
Queen Mary
Dam
Lady Violet (USA)
1890 
The Ill-Used (GB)
1870
Breadalbane Stockwell
Blink Bonny
Ellermire Chanticleer (IRE)
Ellerdale
Lady Rosebery (USA)
1878
Kingfisher Lexington
Eltham Lass (GB)
Lady Blessington Eclipse (GB)
Philo (Family: 4-r)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Watervale pedigree". equineline.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  2. ^ "THE TURK MAKES NEW TIME IN TIDAL". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  3. ^ "NOVELTY EASILY DEFEATS TEXTILE" (PDF). New York Times. 1910-08-18. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  4. ^ "WATERVALE RUNS FAST RACE". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  5. ^ "BELMONT DAY AT FORT ERIE" (PDF). New York Times. 1911-07-06. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
  6. ^ "Valuable mare dies". The Cincinnati Enquirer. No. 10. 26 October 1921.