Genuine Risk was a hero as far as her fans are concerned; but to people of this day, she may only seem like a filly with a lot of luck. Her racing history consisted of 15 starts, with 10 wins, 3 shows, and 2 places. It may seem good, but most of them were small races.
Born on February 15, 1977, to a mare named Virtous, Genuine Risk seemed like any other foal on the farm--just a scrawny little youngster colored chestnut with white markings on her face and legs. But eventually she would become a hero of her own--a Kentucky Derby winner.
In 1979, the chestnut filly captured the Demoiselle Stakes and the Tempted Stakes. She was ridden by Jacinto Vasquez (the same who rode Ruffian), trained by LeRoy Jolley, and owned by Diana M. Firestone. She was ridden to victory after victory, and finished her year with a good amount of wins under her belt.
She did just as good, if not better, in 1980. She captured the Kentucky Derby, becoming only the second filly to accomplish such a feat. She came second in both the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, becoming the first filly to ever finish in the money in all three Triple Crown races. She was accordingly given the name "U.S. Champion 3-year-old Filly." She was loved by all her fans, and many others as well.
Genuine Risk finished out her racing career with $646,587. Her first breeding mate was Secretariat. The result was a stillborn colt. The next try proved the same results. Unfortunately, Genuine Risk only foaled two living foals in all her breeding years. One was Genuine Reward, a colt by Rahy, and the other was Count Our Blessing, a colt by Chief Honcho. Neither ever raced, and Count Our Blessing was eventually gelded.
Genuine Risk still stands at Firestone's Newstead Farm in Upperville, Virginia. Currently she is the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner, at 30 years old. Perhaps it is this that will help her earn a name in history.
Genuine Risk is ranked #91 in the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century.
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