Reel Horse Pedigree

Owner: General Wells
Breeder: James Jackson

One of the best four-mile-heat racers of her time; undoubtedly of stakes quality by modern standards. She was never beaten until her last race, in which she broke down. Photo and info on: http://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Reel.html In 1841, a 3-year-old filly phenomenon named Reel made her racecourse debut in Opelousas, La. When injury forced her retirement from racing in 1843, an observer of the Turf wrote in the sporting journal Spirit of the Times: "Reel passes off the scene, leaving the deep impression on many minds that she had no rival in the United States..." Indeed, Reel had become a racing legend and later became arguably the greatest American broodmare of the 19th Century. Louisiana planter and horseman Thomas Jefferson Wells purchased half-interest in her as a yearling for $1,000 - a huge sum at that time - then later purchased the other half. For Wells, Reel won 7-of-8 lifetime starts at 3, 4 and 5 - all at two-mile and four-mile heats - and some were completed in record times and against colts. On March 29, 1843, Reel made the final start of her career at the Louisiana Course, not far from where Fair Grounds is situated. Though she was ultimately defeated by the colt George Martin, she was coming on in the last mile and was about to overtake him when she faltered, "although she ran out the heat with great strength," reported the Spirit of the Times. Reel was produced from the Caton mare Gallopade and as such is a member of the famous "Dancing family" of the American Stud Book from which many outstanding Thoroughbreds descend, such as Domino and Affirmed. Reel herself produced 13 foals, all of whom were raised in Louisiana, among which are Lecomte, who once defeated Lexington; Prioress, one of the first American-breds to win major stakes abroad; Starke, War Dance, and Fanny Wells. Direct descendents of Reel include Miz Clementine, Tim Tam, and Winning Colors.

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