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16.1hh Dark Bay Mare Tejano Causeway - On Broadway, by Danzig Broodmare of the Year Click here for SIM site Formerly owned by The Steward |
When Jon Xett bred On Broadway - a great mare in her own right - to the mighty Tejano Causeway, it seemed as though it was written in the stars that the resulting foal would be something very special. Call it fate, destiny, the luck of the draw, whatever you want. Xett called her Kismet.
It was a medium-sized dark bay filly, beautifully proportioned, marked with a white star and snip that drew the eye in Florida during the summer of year eleven. Future greats of the sport ruled that day at Flamingo Park. It was the same day that Satelite won the Flamingo Sprint Championship by fourteen, Fast Times (the dam of Speed of Sound) took the Sterling Apollo by three, and Kismet made her name known for the first time. She trounced a field of twelve juvenile fillies by nine and a half lengths.
She traveled to Canada for the grade one Natalma Stakes (G1) next out, making good use of the extra quarter mile and running her opposition into the ground. The margin this time was twelve. She was pitted against the colts in Louisiana three weeks later in the Commitisize Stakes (G2), facing off with the mighty Three of Crowns. The latter never had her measure through the entirety of the race, falling three-quarters of a length short.
Up against older fillies for the first time in her sophomore debut, Kismet did not disappoint, leaving Roses From Heaven, Escena the Twisted, and Everyrosehasathorn five and a half lengths in her wake in the Solstice Stakes. In her next start, Kismet was entered with three of her stablemates in the Oceanside Oaks (G2). It was a particularly significant race, as all four of the Xett fillies went on to become something very special.
Fanned wide on the turn, Kismet fell just short of the pacesetting Tickle, leaving behind future millionaires Up In Lights and Fate. She took on older males next time out, defeating the likes of Whirl Triomphe by five and a half in the Sky Classic Handicap (G3). Three weeks later saw her in against a glamorous field in the Steward's Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). That day, the mighty Pennant was the only one to defeat her, as she again beat Up In Lights as well as Heartstopping, Test of Passion, and Antigua.
At four, Kismet looked unstoppable. She took the Beverly D. (G1) by four and a half over Test of Passion, then defeated that same rival again by three in the Affirmed Star Stakes (G2). Another three length win in the Vinery First Lady Stakes (G1) over Rive Gauche and Test of Passion set her up seemingly perfectly for the Steward's Cup. However, this year, instead of going against the fillies, she would take on the colts at a distance she'd never seen before.
That was the year that the European phenomenon Storm Trader invaded and defeated the great filly Change the Stars and Midnightconfession in a stirring stretch duel. Kismet did not get her Turf victory, finishing fourth. Her closest rival was six lengths behind.
She was retired following that effort, and she was, in fact, a better broodmare than a racehorse in an era in which that was very difficult to accomplish.
Her first foal was a little dark bay filly by Conduit named Kizzer. Kizzer won the first five starts of her career, including the grade one Yellow Ribbon and Natalma Stakes and grade two Flawlessly Handicap. Her winning streak was snapped when she finished fourth behind Whenithurtstosmile in the Steward's Cup Filly & Mare Turf. She lost again to Worlds An Audience in her first start at four before taking California by storm, winning the Royal Heroine Mile by ten and the Tejano's Pride Stakes by three. Back east, she won the Shaconage Stakes by fourteen lengths before finishing second to Angels Help Angels in the Cal Cup Mile. Her final start was the Steward's Cup Mile, where she finished a disappointing sixth - her only out of the money finish - behind the likes of Duel of the Stars, Angels Help Angels, and Duc de Berry.
In the shed, Kizzer got the champion filly Gather (A Crown Awaits), grade one winner Kizz's Action (Action This Day), graded stakes winner Kiz For Luck (Empire Maker), and three other six figure earners.
Jon Xett liked that first foal so much that Kismet was bred back the very next year to Conduit. The resulting son, an exquisite black, blaze-faced colt, needs little introduction. Feature Attraction was a monster on the track, undefeated in eleven starts on the turf. His record might have been perfect all around if not for two failed attempts at running on the dirt.
The future Hall of Famer won his first six, breaking his maiden, then taking almost all of the major turf stakes for two-year-olds in North America: the Magellan (G1), Commitisize (G2), Favorite Trick (G2), and Summer Stakes (G2). At three, he debuted with an eleven-length win in an allowance, then had a six-week layoff before trying dirt for the first time. He finished second by a head to Fog City in the Queen's Derby (G1) in an impressive performance before returning to turf. In his next four starts, Feature Attraction was incomparable, winning the Canadian Breeders' Stakes (G1) by eight and a half, then the Steward's Cup Turf (G1) by almost fourteen. He prepped in Dubai in the Jebel Hatta, winning by nine and a half, then took the Desert Sheema Classic (G1) by five over Chart and Palpitations. Returned to the U.S., he tried dirt again, this time finishing poorly in fourth behind Change the Past in the San Diego Handicap (G2). His final start was an appropriate crowning moment for his career: a seventeen length victory in the RMC Veterans Memorial (G2).
At stud, Feature Attraction has been every bit the powerhouse that his dam was in the breeding shed, siring 262 winners of 933 races (if you were wondering, that's 91% of his runners). His foals averaged nearly $200,000 in earnings, and just over 32% became stakes winners. These include the two-time champions Legend and Longtobeclosetoyou, champions Fiery Spirit, Divine Comedy, Starlight, Deadly Attraction, and millionaires Live Your Dreams, Dante, After I Sleep, Trompe L'oeil, Do Something, Fiendess, and U Got Beat.
The Steward owned Kismet in subsequent years, and the next season sent her to the mighty Star Studded. The product: a little, star-marked colt named Destiny. Jon Xett campaigned the little horse to a stellar record: thirteen starts with nine wins, three seconds and one third. At two, Destiny finished second to Rado in his debut, then broke his maiden by nine lengths six weeks later. In his first try in stakes company, he was again second to Rado in the Commitisize (G1). As a three-year-old, Destiny was hard to catch, winning five of six, including the Virginia Derby (G1), Kent Breeders' Cup Turf (G3), Hill Rise Stakes (G3), and Maryland Million Turf. His only loss that season was behind Rado and Sale Topper in the Colonial Turf Cup (G1), where he was beaten a half length and a neck for the win. In only four starts at four, Destiny perhaps had his best season yet, winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (G1) and the Coronation Cup (G1) in Europe, as well as the Maker's Mark Mile (G2) in the States. His final start in the Arc de Triomphe (G1) was not meant to be a victory, however, when he was again second to Rado.
It took a little time for Destiny to really get rolling at stud. As it turns out, he was a mile sire masquerading as a router. His three biggest earners came late in his career: the five-year-old millionaire Symboli Fortune, multiple grade one winner Black Eyes, and two-time champion Change Your Future. Despite earlier misconceptions about his router affinity, Destiny had an excellent run of it at stud: 210 winners from 280 foals, 46 stakes winners, and average earnings per runner of just over $60,000.
Heartbreak Heals, daughter of the late, great Barbaro, was Kismet's next foal. The big chestnut mare was purchased by Eric Nalbone at auction to the tune of $2,010,000. In modern day terms, that is ridiculously cheap for a daughter of Kismet. On the track, she was a force to be reckoned with, winning seven of thirteen and finishing on the board in four more for earnings of $1,178,000. At two, she went two-for-three, winning the Moyglare Stakes (G3) and finishing second in the Chevely Park Stakes (G2).
She made five starts as a sophomore, winning the Premio Nicastro before a six-week break leading up to a gutsy win over Barcelona and Tears of Passion in the Epsom Oaks (G1). She was second to Tears of Passion in the Irish Oaks (G1) but bounced right back to take on older fillies in the Prix de l'Opera (G1), winning by almost two. She didn't quite handle the quick ship to America for the Steward's Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) and finished tenth there.
Heartbreak Heals ran into some monsters at the age of four, but won her first two starts of the year, anyway, taking the Santa Barbara Stakes (G3) over Taian and the Beverly Hills Handicap (G1) over World Traveler. She was sixth in an inexplicable performance in the Ramona Handicap (G1) - won by World Traveler - then third to Laughterintherain and World Traveler in the Beverly D. Stakes (G1). Her final start was in Asia three weeks later in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) and she finished a game second to Singlikeyourealone.
Her claim to fame in the breeding shed is the millionaire Super Light son Creator, but she also has multiple stakes winner and graded stakes performer Eyrie and graded stakes producer Heartbreak World.
With four millionaires already, the overachieving Kismet was only getting started. The pretty dark bay had always gone far above and beyond on the track, and she would only continue to do so in the breeding shed.
Have Faith, a daughter of Action This Day, was the first to see the real upswing in the prices of Kismet foals. She sold for just a tick over $7.5 million as a yearling. In eighteen starts, the versatile filly won nine, placed second eight times and was third once for $1,190,700. She won her first four, all graded events: the Christmas Stakes (G2), Magic Night Stakes (G2), Winter Stakes (G1), and Auraria Stakes (G1). Her first defeat came at the hands of Is Wanting Enough in the Ansett Australia Stakes, but she rebounded two weeks later to take the West Australian Oaks (G1). It was back and forth for the better part of a year after that: she would win a race, then finish second or third next out. Among her victories during that period were the Hong Kong Silver Cup (G1), South Australian Oaks (G3), and Yoyogi Park Stakes (G3). She was second against males in the Hong Kong Racecourse Derby (G1), to Howforeverfeels in the AJC Australian Oaks (G1), Is Wanting Enough in the VRC Oaks (G1), and Bongo in the Queen's Cup (G1). Another second place finish in the Hong Kong Turf Cup (G1) capped off her four-year-old campaign. At five, Have Faith made four starts, winning the Spa Steward's Cup (G2) and finishing second in the The Star Man Stakes (G3) and Lilacs Stakes, as well as third in the Mermaid Stakes (G3).
It has always seemed like it was the "dark horses" of Kismet's line that made the most impact, and that trend holds true with her next foal: Atlantis. The burly black son of Black Condor won thirteen of seventeen, was second three times, and third once. He was named South Pacific Horse of the Year (twice), Champion Older Male, and Champion Three Year Old Colt. Emily Mitchell got him as a yearling for what seems like a bargain today: $5,002,000.
Atlantis went on a tear right from the get go, winning his first eleven races by tremendous margins, including all of the major stakes in Australia over the course of his two-, three-, and four-year-old seasons. After a maiden victory, he immediately jumped into stakes competition, winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at the end of his two-year-old year. At three, he took five races in quick succession, all with the same disdainful ease, running speed figures of 83 or above in each event: the Brisbane Derby (G1), Melbourne Derby (G1), Sydney Trophy (G1), Cox Trophy (G1), and Melbourne Trophy (G1).
At four, he did the same in his first four starts, winning the Australian Cup (G2) and Brisbane Trophy (G1) in Australia before travelling to the States and winning the Chief Bearhart Stakes (G2) and Kismet Stakes (G3). His first loss came in a surprise result in the Steward's Cup Turf, where he was defeated by Legend.
As a five-year-old, Atlantis wasn't quite the same horse as he was at three and four, however he did add another coveted trophy to his collection in his final start: the Arc de Triomphe (G1). He was also third in Stealth Ninja's record-setting Desert Turf Classic (G1) and second in the Prix Atlantis (G1).
Atlantis's career as a stallion could almost be considered disappointing in comparison to his sire's or his half brother's (Feature Attraction), but it was truly excellent. He sired $3 million earner Deadly, $2.4 million winner Precipice, two-time champion Shockwave, champion Wind In The Sage, millionaire Discover Secrets, and multiple grade one winner and top broodmare City of Lost Ways.
The first half of Kismet's career on the farm was capped by the dark, diminutive Deep Impact son Frayed. A $10 million two-year-old in training purchase, Frayed was campaigned by Sarah Chase for the entirety of his eleven-start career. He won nine times and was second twice, his only losses coming in his debut at a mile and by a neck to Fish in the Steward's Cup Turf (G1). In between, Frayed rattled off nine huge victories, eight of which came in graded stakes events. He took the Brisbane Derby (G1), Melbourne Derby (G1), Australian Derby (G1), Cox Trophy (G1), Australian Classic (G1), Caesar Augustus Handicap (G2), and Miami Turf Handicap (G2) by daylight. His first run-in with Fish was in his favor, when he was victorious by a nose over a yielding course in the Chicago Million. In that race, he broke the 1:59 barrier for 1 1/4 miles, finishing in 1:58.90. The final start of his career was four weeks later, where he was second to Fish in the Turf. During his career, Frayed was named South Pacific Champion Three-Year-Old Colt and is now a member of the Hall of Fame.
Frayed has also single-handedly ensured the survival of the Deep Impact sire line, a line which lacked a truly superstar sire until he came along. To date, he has sired 313 winners of 763 races, including 52 stakes winners. His daughters include the superstar mares Knot and Rockapella, as well as the talented It Went Perfectly, I Love Lucy, and Gone To Pieces. His champion son Splintered and millionaire son Tattered are off to roaring starts as sires, with several other sons (Seal, Unshakable, Craig Horner, Kohaku, etc.) showing promise, as well. He also has in training the full brother to Tattered, Celebrity Sighting, who can be every bit as fast as his brother.
Despite his advancing age (he is 13, and that's quite old for a stallion in the SIM) and the massive numbers of his foals (approaching 600), Frayed is still going strong. He stands in Florida for $75,000.
The epic of Kismet and her dynasty was far from over. This is but the first half of the legacy that she has left, and there is much more tale to be told.
In year twenty-one, sons Atlantis and Frayed earned Kismet her one and only SIMMY Award. The two swept major awards for their divisions in the South Pacific, and the previously uncrowned phenomenon was named Broodmare of the Year. It is a wonder to this writer that Kismet is still not a member of the Hall of Fame.
The second half of Kismet's career began a little less auspiciously than the first half with a little bay filly named Quisma, a daughter of King Kamehameha. During her eleven-start career, Quisma won one graded stakes - the Snowfall Stakes (G3) - and was third in the Queen's Cup (G1) and Moved to Tears Stakes (G2). She is, however, the dam of the (rather unfortunately named) South American Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male Untamed Princess. The black son of Untamed won ten of 19 in his career, including the Los Campeones Route (G1) and French Derby (G1). Quisma's two-year-old filly by Stealth Ninja has some very fast works, as well, and looks like the type that will be hard to stop once she gets it all put together.
The first truly great producing daughter of Kismet followed just the next year. The blaze-faced chestnut filly, named Socks, is by Vernacular. She was campaigned during her racing career by Susie Raisher and was no small talent on the track. She broke her maiden at a flat mile first out, finished second in a minor stakes in Australia, and then won the Queensland Turf Stakes (G3) to cap off her two-year-old year.
Two losses began Socks's sophomore campaign, a second in the National Australia Stakes (G2) and an inexplicable fourth in the Australian Oaks (G2). Shipped to Brazil for her third start of the year, Socks handily won the Grande Premio Zelia Gonzaga Peixoto (G1) and then the Langata Stakes (G2) in Kenya in quick succession. In her first try against older fillies and mares, she was third in Carribean Sea's freakishly fast Los Campeones Distaff.
It was as a four-year-old that Socks got her name recognized. Victories in the German Filly and Mare Champion Stakes (G2), Crown Princess Stakes (G2) and Prix Louvre (G3), as well as second place finishes in the Yorkshire One Thousand Guineas (G1), Prix Le Fraternite (G2), and Prix La Liberte (G2) earned her the title of European Champion Older Female. All in all, Socks retired with a record of seven wins, five seconds, and a third in 14 starts and $659,250 in earnings.
Socks has been a star in the breeding shed, producing Faith (by Magician), the year 29 African Champion Older Female and year 27 South Pacific Champion Three-Year-Old Filly; Shoes (by Black Condor), a $2.4 million winner (and undeniable bargain at only $4.6 million as a two-year-old) and hot young sire; Stockings (by Oversized Heart), the year 30 African Champion Older Male and Horse of the Year; grade one winner and $566,000 winner Untied Socks (by Fish); grade one-winning three-year-old Slippers (by July); and the fast two-year-old maiden winner Hats (by Shadow On the Wall). Her yearling colt by I Dreamed a Dream is showing flash on the work tabs, as well, getting five panels in 59.02.
Of Kismet's final five foals, four were sons, the first of which was Hurry Up and Wait, by Streamer. The diminutive black colt was a late-developer when compared to his siblings. In four starts at two, he was second three times and third twice. It wasn't until his second start at three, and his first shot at a mile and a half that he really hit the ground running. Following that maiden victory, he immediately garnered his first grade one win in the Cape Town Derby. He was in Ireland two weeks later and a respectable third in the Irish Derby (G1). His final start of the year was a resounding victory in the Irish St. Leger (G2).
As a four-year-old, Hurry Up and Wait was almost unstoppable, winning his first three in a row, including the Japanese Spring Marathon (G1), Long Road Home Stakes (G2) and Japanese Jockey Club Cup. It took Bold's powerful performance in the Hong Kong Champions Route (G1) to derail him, but that didn't last for long. He came back and took the Stayers Route (G3) by almost four over Cesare Borgia before capping off the year with a second place finish in the Japan Trophy.
If Hurry Up and Wait was virtually unstoppable at four, then he was practically Superman at five, winning all five of his races on two different continents. He began the year with a sweep of the major spring routes in Japan: the Japanese Spring Marathon (G1) and Abeno-ku Stakes (G1), defeating the likes of Fact Not Fiction, Never Back Down and Cesare Borgia in the process. He was then sent to the southern hemisphere, where he won the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1) and Grande Premio Sao Paulo (G1) in preparation for the capstone of his career: a victory in the Los Campeones Turf (G1). He was named South American Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male of year 26.
As a sire, Hurry Up and Wait has been solid but not spectacular. He has over 60% winners from 164 runners, but average earnings of only about $23,000 and fewer than 10 stakes horses.
The aptly-named Feat, by Fumetsu, was Kismet's next foal. He, too, took a little time to get off the ground, breaking his maiden in dazzling fashion in his fourth and last start as a two-year-old. He had decidedly more speed than his elder brother Hurry Up and Wait, and would have gone undefeated as a three-year-old if not for the "other" monster in that crop: July. Feat's best performance that season was a second place finish to July in the German Derby (G1), where he ran a speed figure of 92. In Europe, he also won the London Derby (G1) in 2:26 flat, the Sir William Stakes in 1:49 flat and the Kleine Stadt Derby in 1:59.30, all by open lengths. His final test of the season resulted in another second place finish to July in the Steward's Cup Turf (G1).
Feat had an interesting season as a four-year-old, putting together five more spectacular performances. He won the sponsored "A Very Sandy Christmas" Stakes (G2) by 8 1/4 lengths and was second to Moya in the Desert Turf Classic. It was off to South Africa next, and a smashing victory over Warlike in the Limpopo Trophy (G2). Another long ship and five weeks later found Feat in Australia, taking on a Cox Trophy (G1) field that included Acme, Trafalgar, and Top Honor. He won by a length in an astonishing 1:58.80. It wasn't meant to be again in the Steward's Cup Turf, however his fifth place finish was a lot better than it looks on paper: he still ran a speed figure of 80 and finished in front of Unlimited, Tracks in the Sand, Tattered, Dream In The Dark, I Dreamed A Dream, Inhuman, etc.
The Steward's Cup Turf was Feat's ultimate goal as a five-year-old. After the fifth place finish in that race, he was off for six weeks before coming right back in the Desert Turf Classic (although it should be noted that in week 4 of year 27, he had a wickedly fast five furlong workout in preparation). He was third to little brother Unlimited and the mighty Sword Bearer, but again defeated another stacked field. His next three were all in the States. He won the Miami Turf Handicap (G2) in easy fashion before a strong second place to Precipice in the Chicago Million. The final start of his career was the Steward's Cup Turf, and the third time was the charm. Feat won by a length in 2:26 flat, defeating a field of eight others that has likely never been matched: Heroes, Precipice, Tattered, Unlimited, Desert Eagle, Escape in the Sea, Pax Britannica and Tracks in the Sand.
Feat, as many of his brothers before him, has been stellar to date as a sire. He is the leader in reported "wow" and "stakes" yearling gallopers this year with 17 and in only three crops to race, his foals have earned almost $15 million. He surprisingly doesn't have a millionaire to his credit yet, but that will likely soon be rectified. It's almost impossible for him not to pick up a millionaire sometime soon, with foals like the undefeated phenom If Wishs Came True, rapidly improving Accomplishment, and dozens upon dozens of fast up and coming youngsters.
Kismet's third to last foal was another colt named Unlimited. The Stealth Ninja son actually knocked heads on multiple occasions with his older brother Feat: twice in the Steward's Cup Turf (G1) and once in the Desert Turf Classic (G1). Feat got the better of his younger sibling in both Steward's Cup meetings, but Unlimited won the Turf Classic.
Unlimited displayed more speed than his previous two siblings, breaking his maiden in his first start out at a flat mile, then finishing second to Astute Scholar in the Steward's Cup Turf Trial. He was second in the Magellan Stakes (G1) to Acme to cap off his juvenile season. At three, Unlimited began with a monstrous nine-length victory in the Stealth Ninja Stakes, finishing with a 94 SF under a hand ride. He bounced a little next out, finishing second to Sword Bearer in the German Derby (G1). After that loss, he won three straight: the Italian Derby (G1) over Peaked, the Irish Derby (G1) over Sword Bearer and Tracks in the Sand and the English St. Leger (G1) over Knot. His first attempt at the Steward's Cup Turf resulted in a sixth place finish, just a length and a quarter behind Feat.
The blaze-faced dark bay was again excellent at four, beginning with a dazzling stretch duel with Acme in the Desert Gold Stakes where he fell short by a quarter length. He took the big prize in the Desert Turf Classic (G1), however, defeating Sword Bearer, Feat, Acme, Heart of a Lion, Scream in the Wind, etc. He then easily took the Caught Ina Tsunami Stakes (G1) over Never Back Down before finishing second to Sword Bearer in the Arc de Triomphe (G1). He was fifth in his second attempt at the Steward's Cup before returning to the desert for his five-year-old year.
This time, he was victorious in a light Desert Gold Stakes by three and a half before running a freakish race in the Desert Turf Classic. He was third to Heroes and Top Honor, but still earned a speed figure of 95. He added two more grade one victories to his resume in his next two, winning the Toronto International and Everest Stakes before one more try at the Steward's Cup. He was second by a quarter length to Imposing in a stacked field that included Top Honor, Heroes, Baracuda, Shoes, Edward Cullen, and Rodolphus.
With two crops to race, Unlimited has yet to really get off the ground as a sire. He has 17 winners and 4 stakes winners - some pretty low numbers in comparison to his half brothers - but he does have such talented runners as the versatile Limitless Star, distance-loving Lunatique, and the fast two-year-old Worlds Colliding.
The final daughter of Kismet was much sought after when she went through the auction ring. She inspired a price tag of a touch over $11 million when she was sold to Jon Xett as a yearling. Set Trends, by Untamed, actually followed the recent trend of her siblings toward slightly slower development. She broke her maiden first out in fine fashion, but was then second twice in races she in all likelihood should have won, before getting her second win in the spring of her sophomore career. Her third victory was a powerful win in the Hadrian's Wall Stakes (G3) followed shortly by two grade one victories in the French Oaks and Yorkshire One Thousand Guineas. She capped off her year with an impressive win in the German Filly & Mare Champion Stakes. At four, Set Trends won three of five, including the Kentucky Crown Ladies Turf (G2) and Tara Stakes (G3). She was second in the Victor McCalmont Memorial and fifth behind Rock Opera in the Steward's Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). Set Trends has three foals on the ground, and she is already showing signs of being another fantastic mother. Her three-year-old, Bucking Trends, has won five of eight in his career so far, including two grade one victories. Her juvenile by Fish, Net Worth, has some wickedly fast five furlong works but has yet to pull off a victory on the track. Although, it really is only a matter of time before she puts it all together and becomes unstoppable.
Kismet, at the age of sixteen, passed away while foaling a burly gray son of Magician named Believe. The colt danced through the auction ring to the tune of $9 million on the nose, and it's likely that the hefty price tag was actually a bargain. Believe was brilliant enough to break his maiden first out at two at a flat mile, and run a low seventies speed figure in the process. He was second to Deadly in the Prix Napoleon (G3) with an 87 SF, then to Lurking by a neck in the Shatterproof Grand Criterium (G2) to end his juvenile career.
It was at three that Believe showed his inclination for running very long. He won twice at a mile and a half in the Melbourne and Australian Derbies (both G1), finished second by a nose to Acme in the two-mile Melbourne Trophy (G1) and third twice at 1 1/4 miles in the Cox Trophy (G1) and Brisbane Derby (G1). On the merit of those performances, Believe was named South Pacific Champion Three-Year-Old Male.
At the age of four, Believe won five straight, again running mostly at 1 1/2 miles or more. Among his victories were the grade one Cox, Sydney, Caulfield, and Brisbane Trophies (a feat that I do not believe has ever been duplicated) and the Australian Cup (G2). His only defeat of the season was a half length loss to Heart of a Lion in the Melbourne Trophy after running 4-7-9-12-14-16 for the year. He again garnered divisional honors, being named South Pacific Champion Older Male.
Believe was unable to find the winner's circle at the age of five, but was second four times in five starts, including three grade one races. He opened the year with a narrow second place finish to Rodolphus in the Magic Carpet Stakes and followed that up with a fourth place finish in the Desert Turf Classic. He was narrowly second to Kareem Abdul in the King George Stakes (G1), then second to that one again in the Arc de Triomphe (G1). His final start was a second place finish to Noah in the English Champion Stakes (G1).
As a sire, Believe has not had any foals to race yet, but he is turning out some fast yearlings.
Fortunately for those that hold the Kismet dynasty near and dear to their hearts, there will likely never be any shortage of her influence in the turf routing world. With sons such as Feature Attraction, Atlantis, Frayed, and Feat and daughters like Set Trends and Socks factoring so prominently in the industry, a touch of Kismet will be felt for generations to come.
A stellar race mare, Kismet was an even more stellar broodmare. Few others can boast eleven of fourteen foals becoming millionaires, or total progeny earnings of over $28 million. Once her time was finished, her name was written among the stars, bigger and brighter than any other.