Susan's Girl
Encyclopedia
Susan’s Girl was an American Thoroughbred
racehorse
bred and owned by Fred W. Hooper
. Hooper was born poor on a southern farm and eventually became rich enough to buy, breed, and run some of the best Thoroughbred
horses of his day. His first purchase was Hoop Jr.
, named after his son, and winner of the 1945 Kentucky Derby
. Over the years, Hooper built up a very successful stable from his first canny purchases.
Susan’s Girl was born in 1969. Racing as a two-year-old in 1971, she came up against a filly called Numbered Account
, which made Susan’s Girl’s debut at the track a little less than auspicious. But as a three-year-old, Susan’s Girl began to win races, taking nine out of her thirteen starts, and never finishing out of the money. That year she was the American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly when Secretariat
took both the male honors as well as becoming Horse of the Year.
At four, racing on both coasts, Susan’s Girl won over $500,000.
By the end of the racing season in 1973, Hooper’s filly was second only to the filly Shuvee
in earnings. Hooper wanted to see his filly become the first distaffer to win a million dollars. But in February 1974, she chipped a bone in her left foreleg. Hooper sent her to the noted equine surgeon Dr. Robert Copelan. Copelan removed three chips, then sent her home to Hooper’s Farm in Ocala, Florida
. For two months, Susan’s Girl swam in the nearby Lake Weir every day. It took nine months, but she recovered and returned to the races.
At the age of five, Susan’s Girl made one of racing’s biggest comebacks. During her recovery, two females had passed the million dollar mark (Dahlia
and Allez France
), but these were Europe
an records. Hooper still hoped for the American
record. In November 1974, Susan’s Girl won the Falls City Handicap
. And in 1975, at the age of six, she had her best season in terms of earnings, winning six stakes and placed in eight. In the Matchmaker Stakes
in Atlantic City, New Jersey
, she set a new track record. She beat males as well as older females and made her million plus dollars.
Of her 29 wins, 24 came in stakes
races. Susan’s Girl is the only filly throughout the twentieth century to win a three-year old championship and then two older female championships.
As a broodmare, Susan’s Girl produced a Grade I winner, Copelan, named after her surgeon. She died on Hooper’s farm on October 18, 1988.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
bred and owned by Fred W. Hooper
Fred W. Hooper
Fred William Hooper was an American Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder. He was a member of The Jockey Club, an honorary director of the Breeders' Cup, and one of the founders of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and one of its first presidents.Born in Cleveland, Georgia, ...
. Hooper was born poor on a southern farm and eventually became rich enough to buy, breed, and run some of the best Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
horses of his day. His first purchase was Hoop Jr.
Hoop Jr.
Hoop Jr. , was an American Thoroughbred racehorse sired by the European stakes winning stallion Sir Gallahad...
, named after his son, and winner of the 1945 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. Over the years, Hooper built up a very successful stable from his first canny purchases.
Susan’s Girl was born in 1969. Racing as a two-year-old in 1971, she came up against a filly called Numbered Account
Numbered Account (horse)
Numbered Account was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who was voted the American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly of 1971. She was bred and raced by Ogden Phipps and trained by Roger Laurin....
, which made Susan’s Girl’s debut at the track a little less than auspicious. But as a three-year-old, Susan’s Girl began to win races, taking nine out of her thirteen starts, and never finishing out of the money. That year she was the American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly when Secretariat
Secretariat (horse)
Secretariat was an American Thoroughbred racehorse, that in 1973 became the first U.S. Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting new race records in two of the three events in the Series—the Kentucky Derby , and the Belmont Stakes —records that still stand today.Secretariat was sired by Bold...
took both the male honors as well as becoming Horse of the Year.
At four, racing on both coasts, Susan’s Girl won over $500,000.
By the end of the racing season in 1973, Hooper’s filly was second only to the filly Shuvee
Shuvee
Shuvee was an American Thoroughbred Champion Hall of Fame racehorse who was the second filly to ever win the U.S. Filly Triple Crown...
in earnings. Hooper wanted to see his filly become the first distaffer to win a million dollars. But in February 1974, she chipped a bone in her left foreleg. Hooper sent her to the noted equine surgeon Dr. Robert Copelan. Copelan removed three chips, then sent her home to Hooper’s Farm in Ocala, Florida
Ocala, Florida
Ocala is a city in Marion County, Florida. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 53,491. It is the county seat of Marion County, and the principal city of the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated 2007 population of 324,857.-History:Ocala...
. For two months, Susan’s Girl swam in the nearby Lake Weir every day. It took nine months, but she recovered and returned to the races.
At the age of five, Susan’s Girl made one of racing’s biggest comebacks. During her recovery, two females had passed the million dollar mark (Dahlia
Dahlia (horse)
Dahlia was an American-bred Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racemare who won major races in France, England, Ireland, Canada, and the United States...
and Allez France
Allez France
Allez France was a French Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse who was the first filly in Thoroughbred horse racing history to earn $1 million....
), but these were Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an records. Hooper still hoped for the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record. In November 1974, Susan’s Girl won the Falls City Handicap
Falls City Handicap
The Falls City Handicap is a Thoroughbred horse race run annually near the end of November at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. A Grade II event, the race is open to fillies and mares, age three and up, willing to race one and one-eighth miles on the dirt.-Records:* 1:48.85 - Silent Eskimo...
. And in 1975, at the age of six, she had her best season in terms of earnings, winning six stakes and placed in eight. In the Matchmaker Stakes
Matchmaker Stakes
The Matchmaker Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey. The Grade III race is open to Fillies and Mares, Three-years-old & up and is run on turf over a distance of 1⅛ miles ....
in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, she set a new track record. She beat males as well as older females and made her million plus dollars.
Of her 29 wins, 24 came in stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
races. Susan’s Girl is the only filly throughout the twentieth century to win a three-year old championship and then two older female championships.
As a broodmare, Susan’s Girl produced a Grade I winner, Copelan, named after her surgeon. She died on Hooper’s farm on October 18, 1988.
External links
- http://www.pedigreequery.com/susans+girlSusan’s Girl pedigree and photo. The foal is by AlydarAlydarAlydar was a chestnut colt and an American thoroughbred race horse who was most famous for finishing a close second to Affirmed in all three races of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, a feat not achieved before or repeated since.-Racing career:Trained by John M...
] - Susan's Girl in the Hall of Fame