Desert Vixen

Desert Vixen (1970–1982) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. She was the leading American filly of her generation, winning an Eclipse Award at the ages of both three and four.[2] She was later inducted into the U. S. Racing Hall of Fame.[3]

Desert Vixen
SireIn Reality
GrandsireIntentionally
DamDesert Trial
DamsireMoslem Chief
SexFilly
Foaled1970
CountryUnited States
ColourDark Bay
BreederMuriel Vanderbilt
OwnerHarry T. Mangurian, Jr.
TrainerThomas F. Root, Sr.
Record28: 13-6-3
Earnings$421,538
Major wins
Alabama Stakes (1973)
Delaware Oaks (1973)
Monmouth Oaks (1973)
Test Stakes (1973)
Gazelle Handicap (1973)
Beldame Stakes (1973 & 1974)
Matchmaker Handicap (1974)
Awards
U.S. Champion 3-Yr-Old Filly (1973)
U.S. Champion Older Female Horse (1974)
Honours
United States Racing Hall of Fame (1979)
Desert Vixen Stakes at Gulfstream Park[1]
Last updated on August 12, 2017

Racing career

Desert Vixen began racing at age two and met with limited success, winning only one of her five starts. At age three, Desert Vixen was the dominant filly in her class, winning eight straight races including a number of important Grade I stakes and tying the Belmont Park track record held by Canonero II in the Beldame Stakes.[4] She broke the stakes record in the 1973 Gazelle Handicap which had been set by Susan's Girl the previous year.[5] Her performance earned her the 1973 Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Filly.

At age four, Desert Vixen started slowly but then earned three important wins in her eleven races. One of her three second-place finishes came when she raced on turf for the first time in her career in the prestigious Washington, D.C. International. In that Grade I race, she finished behind winner Admetus but ahead of the superstar filly Dahlia, who had won the race in 1973. Desert Vixen won her second Beldame Stakes by 11½ lengths and tied the Atlantic City Race Course track record in winning the Matchmaker Handicap. Her 1974 performances earned her a second Eclipse Award as U.S. Champion Older Female Horse.

Stud record

As a broodmare, Desert Vixen produced Real Shadai, the leading sire in Japan in 1993.

In 1979, Desert Vixen was inducted into the United States' National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. She died in 1982 and is buried at Breckinridge Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

References
  1. Gulfstream Park Spring-Summer stakes schedule Retrieved June 22, 2018
  2. National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Eclipse Award winners Retrieved July 5, 2018
  3. National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame profile for Desert Vixen Retrieved July 5, 2018
  4. Sports Illustrated September 24, 1973 article titled "They Made Pigeons of the Field" Retrieved July 5, 2018
  5. New York Times September 4, 1973 article titled "Desert Vixen Sets Record in Belmont's Gazelle" Retrieved June 30, 2018
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