Written by Presley White
Genuine
Risk’s story is an eventful one that made history. How many
horses can say that they are the only filly to place all
three of the Triple Crown races? How many can boast about being
one of only three fillies ever to win the Kentucky Derby? Genuine
Risk is the only horse that can say she fit into both of those questions.
Genuine Risk was born on February
15, 1977. She was by the horse Exclusive Native, winner of the Sanford
Stakes, and also the sire of Affirmed. Her dam was Virtuous who
was by Gallant Man, a Belmont Stakes winner.
Genuine Risk came into the Kentucky
Derby as the 13-1 long shot, she shocked the horse racing world
when she ran the then ninth fastest time in the history of the derby
under jockey Jacinto Vasquez. Genuine Risk would then place second
in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.
After she was retired she was
bred to Secretariat with great hopes. The resulting foal would have
been the first ever born from two Kentucky Derby winners but, sadly
it was stillborn. She would be bred many more times but only produce
two live foals, Genuine Reward (by Rahy) and Count Our Blessing
(by Chief Honcho). Count Our Blessing was gelded, but Genuine Reward
is now standing at stud in Wyoming. Neither of her colts ever raced.
Genuine Risk was retired from
breeding in 2000 after having trouble carrying any foals to term,
and is in the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. She was
ranked #91 best racer of the 20th Century by the Bloodhorse magazine.
She is currently residing on the four-hundred acre Newstead Farm
in Upperville, VA. As of 2007, she is currently the oldest living
Kentucky Derby winner at the age of 30.
Owner: Diana M. Firestone
Breeder: Sally Humphrey
Sire: Exclusive Native
Dam: Virtuous
Color: Chestnut
Markings: Blaze and a hind sock
Race Record: 15:10-3-2
Earnings: $646,587
Career Highlights:
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly (1980)
U.S. Racing Hall of Fame (1986)
#91 - Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century
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