Peter Pan (KY)

Biography

Bred and raced by James R. Keene, Peter Pan was a son of Belmont Stakes winner Commando out of Cinderella, a daughter of 1867 Epsom Derby winner Hermit.

Trained by Hall of Famer James Rowe, Sr., Peter Pan won half of his eight starts as a 2-year-old in 1906, including the Hopeful Stakes and Flash Stakes at Saratoga.

Peter Pan developed into a standout as a sophomore in 1907, winning the Belmont Stakes, Brighton Handicap, Advance Stakes, Standard Stakes, Tidal Stakes, and Brooklyn Derby. His performance in the Brighton Handicap before a crowd of 40,000 prompted the New York Times to report that Peter Pan “accomplished a task that completely overshadowed any previous 3-year-old performance in turf history.”

Retired with a career record of 10-3-1 from 17 starts and earnings of $115,450, Peter Pan stood at Keene’s Castleton Stud near Lexington, Kentucky, before being sold to a breeding farm in France for $100,000 in 1912. He was later brought back to the United States by Harry Payne Whitney and stood at Brookdale Farm in New Jersey until 1915 when he became the foundation sire for the new Whitney Farm in Kentucky.

Peter Pan sired standout stallion Black Toney, as well as champions Puss in Boots, Prudery, Tryster, and Vexatious. He is also the damsire of Hall of Famer Top Flight, Kentucky Derby winner Whiskery, and Preakness winners Bostonian and Victorian. Through Black Toney, he is the grandsire of Hall of Famers Black Gold and Bimelech and Kentucky Derby winner Brokers Tip. Through his son Pennant, Peter Pan is the grandsire of Hall of Famer Equipoise.

Peter Pan died at the age of 29 in December of 1933 and was buried at the Whitney Farm, which is now part of Gainesway Farm.

Achievements

Champion 3-Year-Old Male — 1907

Triple Crown Highlights

Won the Belmont Stakes — 1907