Name: Sunday Silence
Year Born: 1986
Sex: Colt
Color: Dark Bay/Brown
Sire: Halo
Dam: Wishing Well
Broodmare: Understanding
Profile: In being one of the most famous and popular Kentucky Derby winners of all time, Sunday Silence (Halo) came up just short for the Triple Crown in 1989. The winner of that race, Easy Goer (Alydar) was the runner up to him in both the Derby and Preakness. The final time that they would meet would be in the Breeders' Cup Classic that same year. Not only where 3yo Male honors where on the line, but possible Horse of the Year honors as well. Since their meeting in the Belmont, Sunday had run only twice, a runner up finish in the Swaps and a win in the Super Derby. Meanwhile, Easy had picked up wins in the 4 G1 stakes with 3 of them being older males. This would be the showdown to end all showdowns. As the field turned for home, Slew City Slew (Seattle Slew) who would go onto sire both Sis City and Lava Man was tiring which let Blushing John (Blushing Groom (FR)) take the lead. Sunday Silence was able to get past him and hold off his fast closing arch rival to win the Classic.
That garned Sunday Silence 3yo Champion and Horse of the Year honors. He would race twice as a 4yo. He won the Californian and was second in the Hollywood Gold Cup to Criminal Type who would be the 1990 Horse of the Year.
US breeders where not interested in Sunday's pedigree and he was sold to Japan where he stood his entire career. He would turn out to be one of the greatest sire's in the world. He is the sire of Neo Universe (JPN) and Stay Gold (JPN), both of them who recently have had sons who have made an international impact. For Neo, it's Victoire Pisa (JPN) who won last year's Dubai World Cup just a week after the terrible Earthquake and Tsunami in his homeland. For Stay it's Orfevre (JPN) who won the Triple Crown, a G2 in France and recently ran a hearbreaking 2nd in the Arc. Sunday is also the sire of Triple Crown winner Deep Impact (JPN) whose off to an awesome start at stud and the grandfather of G1 winner here in the US, Cesario (JPN). There are 2 sons of Sunday Silence standing in the US, Hat Trick (JPN) the sire of Howe Great and Silent Name (JPN) whose first foals are 2yo's. As a broodmare sire, Sunday has multiple G1 winner Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat), who hails from the same female family as Sunday's fellow Hall of Famer Sky Beauty.
Sunday Silence passed away in 2002 due to complications from laminatis.
Sire
Halo (Hail to Reason) won 9 races in his 31 race career with $259,553 in earnings. He won both the Tidal Handicap (which is now defunct) and the UN in his career. Along with Sunday, he sired one other Derby winner, Sunny's Halo. He was also the sire of G2 winner Radiant Ring, Kentucky Oaks winner Goodbye Halo, the wonderful filly and broodmare Glorious Song, The Champion 2yo Devil's Bag, as well as his full brother the great sire Saint Ballado and G1 winner Lively One among others.
His sire Hail to Reason (Turn-To) won the Hopeful and was named 1960 2yo Champion Male. Other then Halo, his most famous foal is Roberto (the sire of Dynaformer and Red Ransom among others). He also is the sire to Stop the Music (the broodmare sire of Derby winner Giacomo (Holy Bull) and his little brother Belmont 3rd place finisher Tiago (Pleasant Tap)). His dam Nothirdchance won the Acorn and was second in the Ladies Handicap in her career. She is also the dam to stakes placed Treachery (Promised Land).
His dam Cosmah (Cosmic Bomb) was second in the Gazelle as a 3yo. Other then Halo, she is the dam to 3 time Champion Tosmah (Tim Tam) and stakes winner Fathers Image (Swaps). Her dam Almahmoud (Mahmoud (FR)) won the Colleen in her career. She is the dam of the great broodmare Natalma (Native Dancer), of course the dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic).
Dam
Wishing Well (Understanding) is a G2 winner. Sunday is her best foal on the track.
Her sire Understanding (Promised Land) finished second in the MassCap. According to Pedigree Query, Wishing Well was his best foal. However, he also had stakes winner General Partner. His dam Pretty Ways (Stymie) was 0 for 23 in her career. Understanding is her best foal.
Her dam Mountain Flower (Montparnasse (ARG)) was winless in her career.
Just a note for Sunday, I will be doing a very special Pedigree Look post. Orginally when I had decided that until the BC to do BC winners for PL posts that was what I was going to do. However, some very happy news came over the wire today. The fact that this horse is by a Classic winner (who also has several BC race winners) and out of a full sister to 2 time Classic winner, there was no question about it that I would be doing a post on him despite the fact he will not be running in the Breeders' Cup. I'm talking about the horse who won't give up Paynter! Also check out the poll that I have on the sidebar, I'm letting the readers choose the winner of what race I should be doing a PL post on after the BC. The poll will close on Holloween!
