Beldame (KY)

Biography

One of the most accomplished fillies of the early 20th century, Beldame was a dark chestnut daughter of Octagon out of the Hermit mare Bella Donna. Bred and owned by August Belmont II, Beldame was leased Newton Bennington at ages 2 and 3.

When she arrived at the races in 1903, Beldame won the Great Filly Stakes and Vernal Stakes. She posted a record of 3-1-1 from seven starts during her juvenile season with earnings of $21,185.

As a 3-year-old, Beldame delivered one of the greatest seasons by a filly in the history of the sport, posting a record of 12-1-1 from 14 starts and earnings of $54,100. She won the Alabama Stakes, Gazelle Stakes, Carter Handicap, Ladies’ Stakes, Saratoga Cup, First Special, Second Special, Dolphin Stakes, Mermaid Stakes, and September Stakes.

Beldame won the Gazelle by 10 lengths, the Alabama by six, and defeated older males in the Carter, First Special, Second Special, and Saratoga Cup, including 1903 Belmont Stakes winner Africander in the latter.

In the Alabama, Beldame burst out to an eight-length lead “so far outclassing her opponents that she was with great difficulty restrained back to them and her race was only an exercise gallop,” according to a contemporary report. A week later in the 1¾-mile Saratoga Cup, Beldame met 4-year-old Africander, who set a track record in that race the year before. It was an easy victory for Beldame who “made the running throughout, never fully extended, always leading by a half-dozen lengths, and was pulling up at the finish,” according to the race chart. Along with Africander, Beldame left American Derby winner The Picket and Lawrence Realization winner Major Dangerfield in her dust.

Beldame’s effort in the 1¼-mile First Special at Gravesend was considered by many to be her best performance. She defeated John Sanford’s 5-year-old Caughnawaga, arguably the best horse ever bred at Hurricana Stud. Beldame “won as if she outclassed the others, running into the lead at the start and making her own running throughout, easily stalling off Caughnawaga’s stiff challenge at the end,” said the chart. Caughnawaga, however, did get a measure of revenge when he prevented Beldame from repeating in the Saratoga Cup in 1905.

Racing in Belmont’s colors as a 4-year-old in 1905, Beldame won the Suburban Handicap and Standard Handicap and became only the third female racehorse — joining Miss Woodford and Firenze — to surpass $100,000 in career earnings. In the Suburban, she defeated Broomstick by five lengths while carrying top weight.

Beldame posted a record of 2-4-2 in 10 starts as a 4-year-old, regularly carrying top weight, and was retired with an overall mark of 17-6-4 from 31 starts and earnings of $102,135. She died in 1923 at the age of 22.

Achievements

Horse of the Year — 1904
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly — 1904