This is a pedigree with vintage pictures of the talented race horse Foolish Pleasure.  This picture pedigree was made and researched by myself measures 8 1/2 X 11 inches, is on matte paper. All photos when possible are used with permission or are in the public domain, please see my website for a list of the photographers whose photos I use. .picturepedigree. I can also make and research a custom pedigrees for any horse breed. Mailed with a removable archival clear protective cover, can also be framed and added to a collection of remarkable race horses. Would look very interesting on an office or tack room wall. Will fit into a 11 X 14 off the shelf frame . The words "no copy" are not on the item for sale.



Trained by Leroy Jolley. Foolish Pleasure's career began at a fast pace and did not slow until his retirement. At 2 he was undefeated and won an Eclipse award. His most important victories were in the Sapling, Hopeful, and Champagne Stakes, all Grade 1 events.

At 3 Foolish Pleasure won the Flamingo Stakes, Wood Memorial, Kentucky Derby, and placed second in the Preakness and the Belmont. One of Foolish Pleasure's more memorable victories was also the most tragic, for he was the colt in the famous 'battle of the sexes' match with Ruffian when she broke down. He was a succesful stallion siring many winners including the mare Don't Worry Bout Me the grandam of Smarty Jones.

Owned by John L. Greer and trained by LeRoy Jolley, who had previously been partners in the colt Ridan, Foolish Pleasure was undefeated as a two-year-old. In 1975, at age three, he won the Flamingo Stakes, Wood Memorial Stakes, and Kentucky Derby. Although heavily favored to win, he finished second to longshots in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

He was racing at the same time as Ruffian, the "Queen of the Fillies," who had won all ten of her races, including the Fillies' Triple Crown. In July 1975, a match race was arranged between the horses. They had the same jockey—Jacinto Vásquez, who chose to ride Ruffian, with Braulio Baeza taking over on Foolish Pleasure. This race became more than a horse race. It became a highly publicized "battle of the sexes" contest, similar to the tennis matches between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that occurred at about the same time. Thousands of fans gathered at the track, and the race was also televised. While on the lead, Ruffian broke the sesamoid bones in her leg. She continued to run, further damaging her leg, for another hundred yards, trying to finish the race. Post-surgery, she did even further damage to herself in panic, and finally had to be euthanized. Technically, Foolish Pleasure had "won", and it was several more years before other owners and trainers would risk entering females into the Kentucky Derby and other male-dominated races.
In November of 1994, almost 20 years after winning the Kentucky Derby, Foolish Pleasure was brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Colorado State University. He had developed severe laminitis in all four feet. Despite all treatment efforts, he had be euthanized.
Foolish Pleasure was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1995. In the Blood-Horse magazine ranking of the top 100 U.S. thoroughbred champions of the 20th Century, he was ranked #97.