Christmas Past

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Christmas Past
SireGrey Dawn
GrandsireHerbager
DamYule Log
DamsireBold Ruler
SexFilly
Foaled1979
CountryUnited States
ColourGray
BreederCynthia Phipps
OwnerCynthia Phipps
TrainerAngel Penna, Jr.
Record14: 8-2-3
EarningsUS$563,670
Major wins
Coaching Club American Oaks (1982)
Monmouth Oaks (1982)
Ruffian Handicap (1982)
Poinsettia Stakes (1982)
Bonnie Miss Stakes (1982)
Gulfstream Park Handicap (1983)
Awards
American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly (1982)

Christmas Past (April 15, 1979 – December 13, 2008) was an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. She was the American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of 1982 when her wins included the Coaching Club American Oaks and the Monmouth Oaks.

Background[edit]

Christmas Past was bred and owned by Cynthia Phipps of the famous Phipps racing family. She was out of the mare Yule Log, a daughter of eight-time leading sire in North America and U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Bold Ruler. Her sire was the 1964 French Champion Two-Year-Old Colt, Grey Dawn. She was conditioned for racing by Angel Penna, Jr.

Racing career[edit]

As a three-year-old in 1982, Christmas Past won five stakes races for fillies including the Coaching Club American Oaks by six lengths.[1] Her performances earned her 1982 American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly honors.

At age four, Christmas Past defeated her male counterparts in winning the February 26 Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Handicap in Florida. It marked only the second time in the thirty-seven year history of the race that a filly had won.[2] A week later her owner decided to retire her from racing saying it was because of a variety of minor physical ailments that could hamper her running especially when she would be required to compete under heavy handicap weights that could increase the risk of a serious injury. [3]

Retirement and stud[edit]

Retired to broodmare duty at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, Christmas Past produced ten foals between 1985 and 2002, none of which won or placed in a stakes race.[4]

At age twenty-nine, Christmas Past was humanely euthanized on December 13, 2008, due to complications from the infirmities of old age. She was buried in the Marchmont Cemetery at Claiborne Farm.[5]

References[edit]