CONFITURE [USA] LAYS CLAIM TO BROODMARE OF THE YEAR

Confiture [USA] is a direct descendant of the outstanding foundation mare, Alablue (Blue Larkspur - Double Time). Bred by Mereworth Farm in 1945, the latter raced for trainer J.H. Skirvin and made 50 starts in four seasons of racing. During this time, she won eight races and placed 16 times, earning $81,825. Amongst her victories were the Test Stakes and the Christopher J. Fitzgerald Handicap, while she was second in the Acorn Stakes and the Alabama Stakes.

Retired to stud at Normandy Farm in 1951, Alablue had eight foals. Two of these were excellent performers - Alanesian (1954 by Polynesian), who became the champion 2-year-old filly in North America, and Middle Brother (1956 by Hill Prince), winner of seven races, including the Discovery Handicap and the Lawrence Realization Handicap.

Alanesian produced Boldnesian (1963 by Bold Ruler), winner of four of his five starts, including the Santa Anita Derby, who in turn gained lasting fame as the grandsire of Seattle Slew. Another of her gen was the talented Princessnesian (1964 by Princequillo) who stepped out of the fillies’ and mares’ ranks to beat open company in the Hollywood Gold Cup. The last-named is also grandam of the top-notch Revidere (1973 by Reviewer), champion 3-year-old filly in North America in 1976, and third dam of Kunigal Stud’s stallion, Burden Of Proof [IRE].

Another daughter of Alablue, Mock Orange (1959 by Dedicate), became dam of Duke Of Marmalade, a dual Group 1 winner in Italy, and sire in India of the 1983 Indian Turf Invitation Cup winner, Columbia. Mock Orange was also grandam of Cryptoclearance, a hard-knocking winner of 12 races and $3,376,327, and fourth dam of such recent standouts in India as River God, Al Dente, Lunar Music and Adesina.

Yet another daughter Kind Thought (1958 by Nashua) won thrice before retiring to stud. Her best progeny, Sippican (1975 by Stage Door Johnny), raced in France where she won a listed race, while another daughter Honey Pot (1973 by Drone) scored once from just five starts, while showing her class with a runner-up effort in the Fashion Stakes. That performance earned Honey Pot a berth at stud. Her first foal, the minor winner Chickery Chick (1978 by Hatchet Man), drew conspicuous attention to her bloodlines when her second produce, Thirty Slews, caused a huge upset in the 1992 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Honey Pot’s sixth foal, a 1983-born filly by Epsom Derby winner Empery fetched $23,000 as a yearling.

This was Confiture [USA], who scored twice in France, once in a 2,000 m. listed race, the Grand Prix de la Teste, before coming out to India where she produced the Cristofori [USA] siblings Placid (3 wins, Rs.6,05,035, 4th in the Indian 1000 Guineas, Gr.1) and Yukon (2 wins, Rs.7,00,937, 2nd in the Nanoli Stud Pune Derby, Gr.1).

Holding Court is Confiture’s [USA] eleventh foal. Evaluated on his effort at Bangalore, he is far and away the best 3-year-old seen so far and is poised to bring further laurels to his clan.