- By Blood-Horse Staff
- King of Prussia Stable announced Sept. 21 that four-time grade I winner Princess of Sylmar will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency as a broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton November sale Monday, Nov. 3.
“The Princess brought joy and hope to so many,” owner/breeder Ed Stanco said in a release. “We will always cherish that. She is truly the peoples’ horse. We were with her from birth and watched her grow up to be one of the finest fillies in the world. Now she will enter the next phase of her life.”
Stanco had announced Sept. 19 the 4-year-old filly by Majestic Warrior out of the Catienus mare Storm Dixie was retired after being diagnosed with a case of thumps, or irregular spasms of the diaphragm, following her fifth-place finish in the Personal Ensign Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.
Princess of Sylmar is the only filly in history to sweep the Longines Kentucky Oaks, Coaching Club American Oaks, Alabama Stakes, and Beldame Stakes, all grade I.
Among the horses she defeated in the 2013 Kentucky Oaks were dual-champion Beholder and grade I winners Close Hatches, Dreaming of Julia, Midnight Lucky, and Pure Fun. In the 2013 Beldame, she faced older horses for the first time and defeated multiple champion Royal Delta. This year, Princess of Sylmar won the Cat Cay Stakes and finished second in the Ogden Phipps and Delaware Handicap, both grade I.
“We’ve had over 25 fillies win grade I races for our clients,” said trainer Todd Pletcher in a statement. “Only two of that elite group have won four grade I’s as a 3-year-old. Rags to Riches was our first. Princess of Sylmar was the second. ‘Princess’ was one of the best we have ever had.”
Princess of Sylmar descends from a female family that includes A.P. Indy, Seeking the Gold, Storm Cat, and Dixieland Band within the first three generations.
“We’ve had the privilege of consigning some of the all-time greats,” said Mark Taylor. “Ashado and Havre De Grace stand at the top. Princess of Sylmar is next in line and we are honored to have her.”
Princess of Sylmar, bred in Pennsylvania by Stanco, had a record of nine wins and three seconds in 15 starts, with earnings of $2,017,220.
