Tippity Witchet
Encyclopedia
Tippity Witchet was a son of the great sire Broomstick
who was the son of the legendary Ben Brush
. His dam was a daughter of St. Simon
, one of Great Britain
's greatest stallions. The New York Times described him as "tiny" and a "sterling little gelding" (The New York Times, 5-3-29).
Bred, though not born, in Kentucky
by the stables of Harry Payne Whitney
who owned his famous sire. Tippity Witchet was owned by Harry Payne Whitney and in 1917 was one of the top juveniles in America
, winning 14 of his 20 starts, eight of them consecutively within seven weeks. Among his wins were the 1917 Aberdeen Stakes at Havre de Grace Racetrack
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B06E4D8153AE433A25757C2A9629C946696D6CF He was sold to George D. Smith's Brighton Stable in 1917 for $3,000 who raced him for a short time before selling him at auction on November 10, 1917 to John Sanford
of Amsterdam, New York, owner of Hurricana Farm. The price was $20,500, a great deal of money at the time and, according to William Robertson (see references), made headlines on sport's pages around the country. Sanford enjoyed quite a few stakes
victories with his well-bred gelding.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C06E0DD1E3BE03ABC4B51DFB467838C609EDE.
W. J. Young was his trainer in 1918 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D04E6DE1739E13ABC4950DFB1668383609EDE and Preston M. Burch
was his trainer in 1919 when again racing for Sanford and won the Rainbow Handicap. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B05EEDA173AE03ABC4052DFB0668382609EDE On September 14, 1918 he was bought back by Brighton Stable. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06EFDF123FE432A25756C1A96F9C946996D6CF In 1920, he was racing for owner George W. Loft
and was trained by Max Hirsch
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07EFD61E3CEE3ABC4952DFBF66838B639EDE He was sold near the end of 1920 to Lionel T. Bauer and was trained by J. P. Smith. He raced for the Bauer Stable in 1921 and in 1922 was trained by W. Livingston. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9905E7D9103FE432A25751C1A9649D946195D6CF
As Tippity Witchet grew older, he changed hands many times, and dropped down in the ranks from stakes races to allowance to claiming events. For the most part he raced at the old Fair Grounds Race Course
, but over the years, Tippity Witchet ran over 31 different tracks, winning on 27 of them whether the going was mud or hardpack, also winning at distances that ranged from 6 furlong
s to one and a half miles.
In 1928 Tippity Witchet raced in the silks of the Ramona Stable. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40715F73A5B167A93C5A81789D95F4C8285F9 On January 22, 1928, The Washington Post
wrote: "Perhaps no horse more deserves the title of selling plater king of the American turf than Tippity Witchet, the 12-year-old in Broomstick's famous thoroughbred family. For eleven seasons Tippity Witchet has been an active campaigner, and his record for 1927 is as impressive as his achievements in his younger days."
His last race took place on February 1, 1929. By the time he retired, he had competed on race tracks in the United States, Canada
, Mexico
, and Cuba
. His record stood at No. 4 in the all-time greatest number of North America wins. In his last year, he was fourteen and still winning.
Broomstick (horse)
Broomstick was a Thoroughbred race horse born and bred at the famous McGrathiana Stud in Kentucky, but more importantly, he was one of the great sires of American racing. Out of another great sire, the Hall of Famer Ben Brush, Broomstick went on after his racing career to produce champion after...
who was the son of the legendary Ben Brush
Ben Brush (horse)
Ben Brush was a high class Thoroughbred racehorse and sire who won the 1896 Kentucky Derby. He was a bay stallion by Bramble out of Roseville by Reform...
. His dam was a daughter of St. Simon
St. Simon (horse)
St. Simon was an undefeated British Thoroughbred racehorse and one of the most successful sires in the history of the Thoroughbred. In May 1886 The Sporting Times carried out a poll of one hundred experts to create a ranking of the best British racehorses of the 19th Century. St...
, one of Great Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's greatest stallions. The New York Times described him as "tiny" and a "sterling little gelding" (The New York Times, 5-3-29).
Bred, though not born, in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
by the stables of Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney
Harry Payne Whitney was an American businessman, thoroughbred horsebreeder, and member of the prominent Whitney family.- Early years :...
who owned his famous sire. Tippity Witchet was owned by Harry Payne Whitney and in 1917 was one of the top juveniles in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, winning 14 of his 20 starts, eight of them consecutively within seven weeks. Among his wins were the 1917 Aberdeen Stakes at Havre de Grace Racetrack
Havre de Grace Racetrack
The Havre de Grace Racetrack was an American horse racing track on Post Road in Havre de Grace, Harford County, Maryland which operated from August 24, 1912 to 1950...
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B06E4D8153AE433A25757C2A9629C946696D6CF He was sold to George D. Smith's Brighton Stable in 1917 for $3,000 who raced him for a short time before selling him at auction on November 10, 1917 to John Sanford
John Sanford (1851)
John Sanford was an American businessman, a prominent owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses, and a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 20th congressional district.-Early life:...
of Amsterdam, New York, owner of Hurricana Farm. The price was $20,500, a great deal of money at the time and, according to William Robertson (see references), made headlines on sport's pages around the country. Sanford enjoyed quite a few stakes
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
victories with his well-bred gelding.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9C06E0DD1E3BE03ABC4B51DFB467838C609EDE.
W. J. Young was his trainer in 1918 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D04E6DE1739E13ABC4950DFB1668383609EDE and Preston M. Burch
Preston M. Burch
Preston Morris Burch was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, breeder, and owner. -Biography:...
was his trainer in 1919 when again racing for Sanford and won the Rainbow Handicap. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9B05EEDA173AE03ABC4052DFB0668382609EDE On September 14, 1918 he was bought back by Brighton Stable. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E06EFDF123FE432A25756C1A96F9C946996D6CF In 1920, he was racing for owner George W. Loft
George W. Loft
George William Loft was an American businessman, politician, real estate developer, and owner/breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses....
and was trained by Max Hirsch
Max Hirsch
Maximilian J. "Max" Hirsch was an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer.Born in Fredericksburg, Texas, Hirsch became one of the most successful trainers in Thoroughbred horse racing history. He spent part of his formative years working as a groom and jockey at Morris Ranch in...
. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9E07EFD61E3CEE3ABC4952DFBF66838B639EDE He was sold near the end of 1920 to Lionel T. Bauer and was trained by J. P. Smith. He raced for the Bauer Stable in 1921 and in 1922 was trained by W. Livingston. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9905E7D9103FE432A25751C1A9649D946195D6CF
As Tippity Witchet grew older, he changed hands many times, and dropped down in the ranks from stakes races to allowance to claiming events. For the most part he raced at the old Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course, often known as New Orleans Fair Grounds, is a thoroughbred racetrack and racino in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is operated by Churchill Downs Louisiana Horseracing Company, LLC....
, but over the years, Tippity Witchet ran over 31 different tracks, winning on 27 of them whether the going was mud or hardpack, also winning at distances that ranged from 6 furlong
Furlong
A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to one-eighth of a mile, equivalent to 220 yards, 660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains. The exact value of the furlong varies slightly among English-speaking countries....
s to one and a half miles.
In 1928 Tippity Witchet raced in the silks of the Ramona Stable. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40715F73A5B167A93C5A81789D95F4C8285F9 On January 22, 1928, The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
wrote: "Perhaps no horse more deserves the title of selling plater king of the American turf than Tippity Witchet, the 12-year-old in Broomstick's famous thoroughbred family. For eleven seasons Tippity Witchet has been an active campaigner, and his record for 1927 is as impressive as his achievements in his younger days."
His last race took place on February 1, 1929. By the time he retired, he had competed on race tracks in the United States, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, and Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. His record stood at No. 4 in the all-time greatest number of North America wins. In his last year, he was fourteen and still winning.