Teddy

Teddy (1913–1936) was a French racehorse and an influential sire, especially for lines in Italy, France, and the United States. He is considered one of the most influential sires in the 20th century. Racing career Teddy was sold to captain Jefferson Davis Cohn, godson of American Civil War Confederate president Jefferson Davis, for 5,400 francs. His racing career was limited partly due to World War I, which erupted when he was a yearling. He was shipped to the San Sebastian racecourse in Spain, where he began to race as a three-year-old, winning 5 of his 7 starts. His record in Spain included a win at his maiden race, the Gran Premio San Sebastian (2400 meters), a win at the "Spanish St. Leger" Premio Villamejor (2800 meters), and a third-place finish in the Copa d'Oro del Re (2400 meters). In France, he won the Prix Darbonnay (1700 meters), Prix Darney, and Prix des Trois Ans (2400 meters)—amazingly, within 8 days of each other—and finished third in the Prix d'Elevage. He had one race as a four-year-old, the Prix des Sablonieres (2400 meters), which he won to retire with a record of 6 wins in 8 starts. Stud record Teddy began his breeding career in France in 1918, where he stood at Haras de Fitz-James and Haras du Bois-Roussel in Alençon, Orne. In France, he was Leading Sire in 1923, and was in the top three in 1925, 1926, 1928, 1929, and 1932. His success as a sire led to his importation into the United States in 1931 by F. Wallis Armstrong and Kenneth Gilpin. There, he stood at Kentmere Farm in Virginia until his death in 1936, at the age of 24, due to a twisted intestine. Teddy sired 65 stakes winners. Notable progeny in France include: Marguerite de Valois: 1919 filly out of Plucky Liege (by Spearmint), who placed in stakes races and was then sold to the United States. Found in the pedigrees of Fappiano, Ogygian and Quiet Qmerican. Lady Elinor: 1919 filly and stakes winner, dam of Vatellor Sir Gallahad III: 1920 colt out of Plucky Liege (by Spearmint), won 12 out of 25 starts including the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas). Was U.S. Leading broodmare sire in North America a record 12 times, sired Gallant Fox. Anna Bolena: 1920 filly out of Queen Elizabeth II (by Wargrave), winner of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas), dam of Mary Tudor (who was dam of Ascot Gold Cup-winner Owen Tudor) Asterus: b. 1923 colt out of Astrella (by Verdun), won 6 races including the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.