Tranquil Star
Encyclopedia
Tranquil Star was one of the hardiest and best performed Australia
n-bred Thoroughbred
race-mares. She is the only mare to have won the double of the Caulfield Stakes
, now known as the Yalumba Stakes, and the Cox Plate
, which is the most prestigious weight-for-age (wfa) race in Australia. Tranquil Star had 111 starts and won over distances ranging from 5 furlong
s (1,000 metres) to 14 furlongs (2,800 metres). She was later inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
.
and was by the good imported sire, Gay Lothario (sire of winners of £266,000), her dam was the non-winner, Lone Star, who was by a good sire in Great Star (GB). Tranquil Star was a sister to the non stakes-winners, Sun Beau (four wins), Paringa (two wins), Flighty (unplaced) and The Ritz (six wins), who were indifferent racehorses. She was also a half-sister to Only Star, by Enfield, who was unable to win a race in 13 starts. Tranquil Star descended from Daffodils Dam through Lady Vivian (GB), who were from the Bruce Lowe
family 20.
Tranquil Star was sold at Mackinnon and Cox's 1939 yearling sales and was purchased by the partners Messrs R. Cobden and T. G. Jones for 600 guineas.
, the V.A.T.C. St George Stakes
, VRC St Leger
Stakes and in her only trip to Sydney
, she took out the now graded Group one
(G1), A.J.C. Chipping Norton Stakes
plus the Cumberland Plate. She was the only filly in the field when she finished second to Lucrative in the Victoria Derby
and was second again when defeated by a neck in the VRC Oaks
during the season.
, and then followed this with a second to Lucrative in the Caulfield Stakes
before again running second in the Moonee Valley W. S. Cox Plate
to champion Beau Vite plus another second in the C F Orr Stakes
. She won VRC C.M. Lloyd Stakes and Moonee Valley Alister Clark Stakes
and was third in the Williamstown Cup. She finished the season with 21 starts for 2 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds.
, before winning the Caulfield Cup
(carrying 8 stone 12 lbs and from a big field which included three horses who had won a Melbourne Cup
, Colonus, Skipton, and Dark Felt), the W.S. Cox Plate with K. Smith in the saddle
and the V.R.C. LKS Mackinnon Stakes
in four successive runs before winning the C.M. Lloyd Stakes. In winning the Cox Plate she became the only mare to win the Caulfield (Yalumba) Stakes and the Cox Plate double. During the season she had 14 starts for 6 wins in major races, but was unplaced in her other starts for this season.
and VRC C. M. Lloyd Stakes as well as placing third in the C F Orr Stakes and Underwood Stakes. During her final start of the 1944 season Tranquil Star fractured her jaw so badly that it had to be wired. It was only the patient attention of her trainer and her iron constitution enabled her to survive this disaster. Her tally for this season was 14 starts for 1 win, 5 seconds and 2 thirds.
was the only other one to accomplish this achievement. She also won her second L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes plus the C.M. Lloyd Stakes and the V.A.T.C. St George Stakes. Tranquil Star finished second in the Williamstown Underwood Stakes, J. J. Liston Stakes and Moonee Valley Glenara Handicap (with 9 stone 7 pounds). She placed third in the Melbourne Stakes and Caulfield Stakes (defeated by Counsel and Lawrence) and in V.R.C. Essendon Stakes. Her defeat in the Essendon Stakes was attributed by her trainer, Ron Cameron to the heat, as she had been beaten before under similar conditions.
(defeating Flight
in a good field), the six furlong weight-for-age William Reid Stakes and the Memsie Stakes. She placed second in VRC C.B. Fisher Plate and VATC Eclipse Stakes plus thirds in the Caulfield Stakes in which she conceded weight to Bernborough
, then at his peak, and the Linlithgow Stakes (to Royal Gem
).
During her long and distinguished racing career Tranquil Star had 111 starts for 23 wins, including 9 wins at what would now be regarded as group one level. She also scored 20 seconds and 12 thirds for a total of £26,690 in prize-money which made her Australasia's greatest stake-winning mare.
Tranquil Star’s last public appearance was before a large crowd on 24 March 1946 at Olympic Park, Victoria. A. Breasley was her rider and her trainer Ron Cameron also attended.
Her progeny were:
Calaway Gal was foaled by Calais Royale, a non-stud book mare whose 4th dam was Tranquil Star, but she proved she was a Thoroughbred by winning a Golden Slipper. Both of them were then promoted to Thoroughbred status and now appear in the Australian Stud Book
.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n-bred 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...
race-mares. She is the only mare to have won the double of the Caulfield Stakes
Caulfield Stakes
The VATC Caulfield Stakes is now a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under weight-for-age conditions, for three-year-olds and upwards, at Caulfield Racecourse. The race was previously known as the Caulfield Stakes but since 1997 it has been referred to as the...
, now known as the Yalumba Stakes, and the Cox Plate
Cox Plate
The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia...
, which is the most prestigious weight-for-age (wfa) race in Australia. Tranquil Star had 111 starts and won over distances ranging from 5 furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s (1,000 metres) to 14 furlongs (2,800 metres). She was later inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame
Australian Racing Hall of Fame
The Australian Racing Hall of Fame is part of the Australian Racing Museum which documents and honours the horseracing legends of Australia. The museum officially opened in 1981 and created the Hall of Fame in 2000....
.
Breeding
She was bred by Messrs H. G. Raymond and H. B. Ranken at St Albans Stud near Geelong, VictoriaGeelong, Victoria
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in the state of Victoria, Australia, south-west of the state capital; Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia...
and was by the good imported sire, Gay Lothario (sire of winners of £266,000), her dam was the non-winner, Lone Star, who was by a good sire in Great Star (GB). Tranquil Star was a sister to the non stakes-winners, Sun Beau (four wins), Paringa (two wins), Flighty (unplaced) and The Ritz (six wins), who were indifferent racehorses. She was also a half-sister to Only Star, by Enfield, who was unable to win a race in 13 starts. Tranquil Star descended from Daffodils Dam through Lady Vivian (GB), who were from the Bruce Lowe
Thoroughbred breeding theories
Thoroughbred horse breeding theories run the gamut from the more common careful statistical analyses to the fanciful and the superstitious. The dream of the next legendary racehorse arising from the perfect pairing of sire and dam motivates the manager both for potential financial gain and for...
family 20.
Tranquil Star was sold at Mackinnon and Cox's 1939 yearling sales and was purchased by the partners Messrs R. Cobden and T. G. Jones for 600 guineas.
Racing record
She was owned by Mr T. G. Jones in partnership with Arthur Cobden and trained by Ron Cameron during her racing career.At two years: 1939–1940
As a two-year-old Tranquil Star had 13 race starts for two wins, in the V.R.C. Ottawa Stakes and Williamstown Juvenile Handicap, plus four seconds for that season.At three years: 1940–1941
In her three-year-old racing season Tranquil Star had 15 race starts for wins in the V.R.C. Edward Manifold StakesEdward Manifold Stakes
The Edward Manifold Stakes is a VRC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for 3 year old fillies at set weights run over a distance of 1600 metres at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne in October...
, the V.A.T.C. St George Stakes
St George Stakes
The St George Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race held under weight for age conditions, for horses aged two years old and upwards, over a distance of 1800 metres. It is held at Caulfield racecourse in Melbourne every February. Total prize money is A$200,000.-Distance:1900 -...
, VRC St Leger
VRC St Leger
The Victoria Racing Club's St Leger Stakes is one of Australia's oldest Thoroughbred horse races held on ANZAC Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. First run in 1857, the Listed race is open to three-year-olds and is run on turf over a distance of 2800m .Once one of the most prestigious...
Stakes and in her only trip to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, she took out the now graded Group one
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
(G1), A.J.C. Chipping Norton Stakes
Chipping Norton Stakes
The Chipping Norton Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred horse race run at weight for age, over a distance of 1600 metres at Warwick Farm Racecourse, Sydney in February or March.-Distance:* 1925 - 1972 held over 10 furlongs The Chipping Norton Stakes is a Group 1 Australian Thoroughbred...
plus the Cumberland Plate. She was the only filly in the field when she finished second to Lucrative in the Victoria Derby
Victoria Derby
The Victoria Derby is an Australian Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first day of Melbourne's annual Spring Racing Carnival, Victorian Derby Day, held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. A Group One race for three-year-old horses, it is raced on a left-handed turf course at a...
and was second again when defeated by a neck in the VRC Oaks
VRC Oaks
The Crown Oaks , is the third day of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival at Flemington Racecourse. Oaks Day is held on the Thursday directly following Melbourne Cup Day...
during the season.
At four years: 1941–1942
At her first four-year-old start Tranquil Star ran second in the (G1), Underwood StakesUnderwood Stakes
The Underwood Stakes is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race, held at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne Australia. It is run over 1800 metres under weight-for-age conditions in late September each year...
, and then followed this with a second to Lucrative in the Caulfield Stakes
Caulfield Stakes
The VATC Caulfield Stakes is now a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under weight-for-age conditions, for three-year-olds and upwards, at Caulfield Racecourse. The race was previously known as the Caulfield Stakes but since 1997 it has been referred to as the...
before again running second in the Moonee Valley W. S. Cox Plate
Cox Plate
The W.S. Cox Plate is an Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race held in Melbourne every October by the Moonee Valley Racing Club to honour W.S. Cox, the club's founder. For three-year-olds and over, the race is considered to be the Weight for Age championship of Australasia...
to champion Beau Vite plus another second in the C F Orr Stakes
C F Orr Stakes
The C F Orr Stakes is a Group 1 Australian thoroughbred horse race at Weight for Age, run over a distance of 1400 metres at Caulfield Racecourse, Melbourne in February. Prizemoney in 2010 is A$400,000...
. She won VRC C.M. Lloyd Stakes and Moonee Valley Alister Clark Stakes
Alister Clark Stakes
The Alister Clark Stakes is a MVRC Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race, for three year-old colts and geldings, at set weights, over a distance of 2040 metres. It is held annually at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia...
and was third in the Williamstown Cup. She finished the season with 21 starts for 2 wins, 4 seconds and 4 thirds.
At five years: 1942–1943
Tranquil Star won the Moonee Valley Quality Handicap, then defeated True Flight in the Caulfield StakesCaulfield Stakes
The VATC Caulfield Stakes is now a Melbourne Racing Club Australian Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race run under weight-for-age conditions, for three-year-olds and upwards, at Caulfield Racecourse. The race was previously known as the Caulfield Stakes but since 1997 it has been referred to as the...
, before winning the Caulfield Cup
Caulfield Cup
The Caulfield Cup, one of Australia's richest Thoroughbred horse races and the richest of its type in the world is held annually by the Melbourne Racing Club. The race is a handicap like the Melbourne Cup, which means that horses that compete in the Caulfield Cup are capable of running on the...
(carrying 8 stone 12 lbs and from a big field which included three horses who had won a Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major Thoroughbred horse race. Marketed as "the race that stops a nation", it is a 3,200 metre race for three-year-olds and over. It is the richest "two-mile" handicap in the world, and one of the richest turf races...
, Colonus, Skipton, and Dark Felt), the W.S. Cox Plate with K. Smith in the saddle
Saddle
A saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
and the V.R.C. LKS Mackinnon Stakes
LKS MacKinnon Stakes
From 1869 to 1936 the LKS Mackinnon Stakes was known as the Melbourne Stakes.The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 2000 metre Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions. The race is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the Saturday before...
in four successive runs before winning the C.M. Lloyd Stakes. In winning the Cox Plate she became the only mare to win the Caulfield (Yalumba) Stakes and the Cox Plate double. During the season she had 14 starts for 6 wins in major races, but was unplaced in her other starts for this season.
At six years: 1943–1944
As a six-year-old in 1943 Tranquil Star was beaten narrowly by Amana in the Caulfield Stakes, V.R.C. Melbourne Stakes and L. K. S. Mackinnon Stakes but Tranquil Star gained revenge on Amana in the St George Stakes by relegating him into second place. Tranquil Star also placed second in V.A.T.C. Memsie StakesMemsie Stakes
The Memsie Stakes is a Group 2 weight-for-age Thoroughbred horse race run at Caulfield Racecourse over 1,400 metres . The total prizemoney for the race is A$201,000...
and VRC C. M. Lloyd Stakes as well as placing third in the C F Orr Stakes and Underwood Stakes. During her final start of the 1944 season Tranquil Star fractured her jaw so badly that it had to be wired. It was only the patient attention of her trainer and her iron constitution enabled her to survive this disaster. Her tally for this season was 14 starts for 1 win, 5 seconds and 2 thirds.
At seven years: 1944–1945
In winning her second W.S. Cox Plate Tranquil Star became the first seven-year-old mare, and the only one of two to win this prestigious race at that age. Makybe DivaMakybe Diva
Makybe Diva is a British-bred, Australian-trained Thoroughbred who became the first racehorse to win the famed Melbourne Cup on three occasions: 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2005, she also won the Cox Plate. Makybe Diva is the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse racing history, with winnings...
was the only other one to accomplish this achievement. She also won her second L.K.S. Mackinnon Stakes plus the C.M. Lloyd Stakes and the V.A.T.C. St George Stakes. Tranquil Star finished second in the Williamstown Underwood Stakes, J. J. Liston Stakes and Moonee Valley Glenara Handicap (with 9 stone 7 pounds). She placed third in the Melbourne Stakes and Caulfield Stakes (defeated by Counsel and Lawrence) and in V.R.C. Essendon Stakes. Her defeat in the Essendon Stakes was attributed by her trainer, Ron Cameron to the heat, as she had been beaten before under similar conditions.
At eight years: 1945–1946
In her final season as an eight-year-old Tranquil Star won her third LKS Mackinnon StakesLKS MacKinnon Stakes
From 1869 to 1936 the LKS Mackinnon Stakes was known as the Melbourne Stakes.The LKS Mackinnon Stakes is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 2000 metre Thoroughbred horse race run under Weight for Age conditions. The race is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia on the Saturday before...
(defeating Flight
Flight (horse)
Flight was an Australian Thoroughbred racemare that was the highest stakes winning mare in Australasia. Her courageous efforts made her a crowd favourite during the post World War II era and she had victories over some of the great horses of the time including Shannon, Bernborough, Royal Gem and...
in a good field), the six furlong weight-for-age William Reid Stakes and the Memsie Stakes. She placed second in VRC C.B. Fisher Plate and VATC Eclipse Stakes plus thirds in the Caulfield Stakes in which she conceded weight to Bernborough
Bernborough
Bernborough was an outstanding Australian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse who competed from 1941 to 1946. He carried heavy weights to victory in a sequence of 15 consecutive wins that included the Doomben 10,000 carrying 10 stone 5 pounds....
, then at his peak, and the Linlithgow Stakes (to Royal Gem
Royal Gem
Royal Gem was a versatile Thoroughbred racehorse that won 23 races ranging from 5 furlongs to 12 furlongs...
).
During her long and distinguished racing career Tranquil Star had 111 starts for 23 wins, including 9 wins at what would now be regarded as group one level. She also scored 20 seconds and 12 thirds for a total of £26,690 in prize-money which made her Australasia's greatest stake-winning mare.
Tranquil Star’s last public appearance was before a large crowd on 24 March 1946 at Olympic Park, Victoria. A. Breasley was her rider and her trainer Ron Cameron also attended.
Stud record
Retired to stud Tranquil Star was a good brood mare that produced nine foals, of which seven were raced and three were winners.Her progeny were:
- 1947 Chestnut filly, Tranquil Dawn by Dhoti (GB), unplaced in five starts, became 5th dam of Calaway Gal (won the 2002 Golden Slipper Stakes)
- 1948 Chestnut filly, Tranquil Dusk by Dhoti, two unplaced starts, dam of Ivanhoe (won Doomben Stakes, Queensland GuineasQueensland GuineasThe Queensland Guineas is a Queensland Turf Club Group 2 Thoroughbred horse race held over 1600 metres , at set weights, for three year old horses. The race is held each year as part of the Brisbane Winter Carnival at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia, on the Monday of the Queen's...
, QTC Sires Produce StakesQTC Sires Produce StakesThe QTC Sires Produce Stakes is a Group 2 Australian Thoroughbred horse race for two year olds run at set weights over 1400 metres, at Eagle Farm Racecourse in June each year...
) - 1949 Chestnut filly, Light O’Star by Dhoti, two unplaced starts
- 1950 missed to service
- 1951 Chestnut colt, Tranquil Sun by Helios (GB) won seven races in Melbourne
- 1952 Chestnut filly, Tranquil Court by Comic CourtComic CourtComic Court was a most versatile post-war Australian bred Thoroughbred racehorse who set race records at distances of 6 furlongs and 2 miles...
, eight unplaced starts - 1953 Chestnut colt, Tranquil Glow by Helios, won 11 races, including 9 steeplechases
- 1954 Bay filly un-named by Helios (GB), died 1955
- 1955 Chestnut filly, Tranquil Sea by Masthead (GB), un-raced
- 1956 Bay colt, Night Ride by Landau, won five races, including three steeplechases.
Calaway Gal was foaled by Calais Royale, a non-stud book mare whose 4th dam was Tranquil Star, but she proved she was a Thoroughbred by winning a Golden Slipper. Both of them were then promoted to Thoroughbred status and now appear in the Australian Stud Book
Australian Stud Book
The Australian Stud Book , is the body responsible for ensuring the integrity of Thoroughbred breeding in Australia. Australia is the second-largest Thoroughbred breeding country in the world behind the US...
.