Olympia (1946–1974) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse who won top races at age two through four then became a foundation sire for Florida breeder, Fred W. Hooper. Bred by Hall of Fame jockey turned trainer, Ivan H. Parke, he was sired by Champion sire Heliopolis and out of the mare, Miss Dolphin.Olympia's pedigree
After a very successful two-year-old season, Olympia won the San Felipe Stakes,New York Times - February 6, 1949 the Flamingo Stakes,Youngstown Vindicator - March 4, 1949 the Wood Memorial StakesReading Eagle (Pennsylvania) – April 24, 1949 and the Derby Trial StakesEugene Register-Guard - May 4, 1949 that resulted in him being sent off as the heavy betting favorite for the 1949 Kentucky Derby, in which he finished sixth.1949 Kentucky Derby statistics at Churchill Downs
Olympia developed into a top class sprinter who retired from racing with a record of 15-12-4 in 41 starts, and earnings of $365,632.
Champion broodmare sire Olympia was retired to stud duty. He stood at Danada Farm in Lexington, Kentucky but on his death at age 28 in 1974 was buried at Hooper Farm in Ocala, Florida. Hooper Farm at Thoroughbred Heritage
Among his successful progeny were two Eclipse Award winners. Decathlon (f. 1953) was voted the American Champion Sprint Horse in 1956 and 1957 and Pucker Up (foaled in 1953) the 1957 American Champion Older Female Horse.The Bloodhorse.com Champion's history charts Olympia's other good runners included: Air Pilot (foaled in 1954), two-time winner of the Massachusetts Handicap Alhambra (foaled in 1955), multiple stakes winner Talent Show (foaled in 1955), multiple stakes winner who earned more than US$500,000 Winonly (foaled in 1957), multiple stakes winner Editorialist (foaled in 1958), multiple stakes winner Top Bid (foaled in 1964). the 1973 American Grand National winner, 1970 American Champion Steeplechase HorseThe Bloodhorse.com Champion's history charts My Portrait (foaled in 1958), won 1961 Kentucky Oaks
Olympia was the damsire of Darby Dan Farm's a runner True Knight (foaled in 1969) who was instrumental in Olympia becoming the 1974 Leading broodmare sire in North America.Leading broomare sires at Thoroughbred Heritage
Sire line tree
OlympiaJumpers: Darley Arabian Sire LineSire Line: Camel Darley Arabian Sire Line: Newminster BranchAmerican Classic Pedigree: Olympia DecathlonHall of Fame: DecathlonAmerican Classic Pedigree: Decathlon Western Warrior Air Pilot Greek Game Lucky Mel Alhambra Talent Show Winonly Editorialist Pia Star PoleyPoley Wins San Antonio Creme dela Creme Cafe PrinceImage: Cafe PrinceHall of Fame: Cafe PrinceAmerican Classic Pedigree: Cafe Prince Rich Cream Creme FraicheAmerican Classic Pedigree: Creme FraichePensioned Belmont Stakes Winner Crème Fraiche Dead Top BidAmerican Classic Pedigree: Top Bid
References