Jet Pilot (March 29, 1944 – March 3, 1967) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the Kentucky Derby in 1947.

Jet Pilot
SireBlenheim
GrandsireBlandford
DamBlack Wave
DamsireSir Gallahad III
SexStallion
FoaledMarch 29, 1944[1]
CountryUnited States
ColourChestnut
BreederArthur B. Hancock & Nydrie Stud
OwnerMaine Chance Farm. Racing silks: Cerise, white sash, blue cuffs on sleeves, cerise cap.
TrainerTom Smith
Record17: 7-3-2
Earnings$198,740
Major wins
Pimlico Nursery Stakes (1946)
National Stallion Stakes (1946)
Pimlico Futurity (1946)
Tremont Stakes (1946)
Jamaica Handicap (1947)

U.S. Triple Crown series:
Kentucky Derby (1947)

Last updated on March 5, 2007

Background

edit

Jet Pilot was sired by the 1930 Epsom Derby winner, Blenheim, out of the mare Black Wave, a daughter of the French-bred sire Sir Gallahad III. Blenheim and Sir Gallahad were both brought to stand at stud in the United States by groups of American horsemen, both of which were led by Arthur B. Hancock of Claiborne Farm. Black Wave's dam Black Curl was a half-sister to Myrtlewood, the female-line ancestor of Seattle Slew and Mr Prospector.[2]

Jet Pilot was purchased for US$41,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sale by Elizabeth Arden and raced under her Maine Chance Farm colors.

Racing career

edit

Racing at age two, Jet Pilot was second in the 1946 Arlington Futurity and third in that year's Futurity Stakes and Champagne Stakes. However, he won the important Tremont Stakes and Pimlico Futurity.

One of the winter-book favorites for the 1947 Kentucky Derby, Jet Pilot broke from post position thirteen and immediately took the lead in the 73rd edition of the Derby and never relinquished it in defeating C. V. Whitney's betting favorite, Phalanx. In the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series, Jet Pilot finished fourth behind Calumet Farm's winner, Faultless. After the Preakness, Jet Pilot contested the Withers Stakes at Belmont Park, where he finished fourth. He bowed a tendon in that race and was retired to stud for the 1948 season.

Stud record

edit

Jet Pilot sired multiple stakes race winners Jet Action and Myrtles Jet, plus 1951 Champion 2-year-old Filly, Rose Jet. The product of his last mating was born in 1964.

Pedigree

edit
Pedigree of Jet Pilot, chestnut stallion, 1944[1]
Sire
Blenheim (GB)
1927
Blandford (IRE)
1919
Swynford John O'Gaunt
Canterbury Pilgrim
Blanche White Eagle
Black Cherry
Malva (GB)
1919
Charles O'Malley Desmond
Goody Two-Shoes
Wild Arum Robert le Diable
Marliacea
Dam
Black Wave (USA)
1935
Sir Gallahad (FR)
1920
Teddy Ajax
Rondeau
Plucky Liege Spearmint
Concertina
Black Curl (USA)
1924
Friar Rock Rock Sand
Fairy Gold
Frizeur Sweeper
Frizette (Family:13-c)[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Jet Pilot pedigree". Equineline.
  2. ^ a b "Stray Shot - Family 13-c". Thoroughbred Bloodlines.