Letter to the Editor: The Legacy of Betty Moran

In the wake of this year's Kentucky Derby win by Sovereignty, I think it is important to recognize the quiet but profound legacy of one of racing's great horsewomen and enthusiasts–Betty Moran.

Sadly, Mrs. Moran passed away in 2020, but I have to feel that this year's Kentucky Derby winner, whose mother she bred, is testament to years of her racing and breeding at the top end of the thoroughbred world. Mrs. Moran bred and/or raced many outstanding race horses including Belmont and Jockey Club winner Creme Fraiche, champions Unique Bella, Russian Rhythm, and Hard Spun, along with English Grand National winner Pappilion. Mrs Moran's breeding theory was simply to breed the best to the best, and she rapidly developed one of the best small broodmare bands in U.S. history.

Long before Sovereignty surged down the stretch at Churchill Downs, Mrs. Moran made a bold move in the purchase of his granddam, Mushka, as a three-year-old for $2.4-million. She was a tall, leggy and stunning dark bay mare who would go on to win the GI Spinster at Keeneland and run second, beaten by only a head, in the GI Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic earning $850,000 that year.

After retiring, Mushka would produce four foals for Betty's Brushwood Stables including a Bernardini filly which she kept, and three other foals that would be sold for more than $3.5-million. One was of those a gorgeous, scopey filly sold as a yearling to Darley who would name her Crowned. The rest is history.

Crowned's first three foals where all by Into Mischief. The second of these a tall, beautiful colt to be named Sovereignty. Oddly, both Mushka and daughter Crowned would have spotty foaling records, but what they produced mattered.

This also continued the great legacy of Sovereignty's fourth dam, Lakeway, who was bred and owned by accomplished horseman Mike Rutherford. Lakeway went on to become a foundation mare for Mike's Manchester Farm, and was followed by generations of outstanding horses blessed with her beauty and elegance, to include Sovereignty.

I was honored to advise my great friend Betty Moran for more than 30 years. She was a prolific philanthropist and talented horsewoman who would be on top of the world following this year's Derby. On her behalf, congratulations and good luck to Darley and Mike Rutherford. Congratulations to you too, Betty! Your devotion and contributions to racing and horses paid off… again.

Reiley McDonald