FAMILY TIES

Last week, the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, once again competed against one another, this time in the championship match of the Australian Open.  A media commentator opined that the Williams sisters are the most successful siblings in the modern history of sports.

This got me thinking about siblings and other close blood relationships in horse racing.  Following is what noted pedigree expert Avalyn Hunter wrote in a 2014 article in the Blood-Horse:

“…1937 Triple Crown winner War Admiral had five full sisters that managed to win just one race among them.  Native Dancer also had five full siblings, of which only one was a winner.  Citation had three full siblings, of which one won.  The list of high-profile failures that were full siblings to a top horse is long and seemingly endless.”

Here are a few selections of mine for some of the best close blood relationships ever in horse racing, as based on their racing records:

Half brothers (same dam):  Secretariat and Sir Gaylord

Half brother and sister:  Alydar and Our Mims

Full brothers:  Frankel and Noble Mission

Mother and son:  Ouija Board and Australia

Father and son:  Gallant Fox and Omaha (both American Triple Crown winners)

Full sisters:  Busher and Striking

Full brother and sister:  Busher and Mr. Busher

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