Sun Beau (VA)

Bred and owned by Willis Sharpe Kilmer, Sun Beau competed at 15 different tracks and was conditioned by nine trainers in his five-year career. He won under as much as 132 pounds and is retrospectively recognized as champion older male in 1929, 1930, and 1931.

Sun Beau in 1931 (L. S. Sutcliffe/Museum Collection)
Inducted

1996

Foaled

1925

Sire

Sun Briar

Dam

Beautiful Lady

Damsire

Fair Play

Breeder

Willis Sharpe Kilmer

Owner

Willis Sharpe Kilmer

Trainer

Jack Whyte
Andy Schuttinger
W. A. Crawford
W. Irvine
Charles W. Carroll
J. O. Burttschell
A. G. Blakely
W. Short
G. E. Phillips

Career

1927-1931

Earnings

$376,744

Racing Record

74

Starts

Year Starts First Second Third Earnings
Year Sts 1 2 3 $
1927 4 1 0 1 $1150 $1,150
1928 13 8 5 1 $79909 $79,909
1929 14 6 2 4 $79755 $79,755
1930 19 9 3 3 $105005 $105,005
1931 14 9 2 1 $110925 $110,925

Biography

Bred and owned by Willis Sharpe Kilmer, Sun Beau competed at 15 different tracks and was conditioned by nine trainers in his five-year career. He won under as much as 132 pounds and is retrospectively recognized as champion older male in 1929, 1930, and 1931.

Sun Beau showed some promise as a 3-year-old in 1928, winning the Potomac Handicap, Maryland Handicap, and Latonia Championship Stakes. The following year, he won the first of three consecutive editions of the Hawthorne Gold Cup, defeating Misstep and Diavolo. His wins in 1929 also included Havre de Grace Handicap, Washington Handicap, and Aqueduct Handicap.

As a 5-year-old in 1930, Sun Beau defeated Alcibiades in the Hawthorne Gold Cup, repeated in the Washington Handicap, and won the Toronto Autumn Cup. In his final season of 1931, Sun Beau won the Fashion Stakes, Philadelphia Handicap, Arlington Cup, Arlington Handicap, Lincoln Handicap, and ended his career with his third Hawthorne Gold Cup, defeating Mate for his 33rd career victory.

Sun Beau finished his career with earnings of $376,744, a total that stood as the American record until surpassed by Seabiscuit nine years later. Sun Beau was not a successful sire. Only six if his 134 registered foals became stakes winners.

Sun Beau died in 1943 at the age of 18.

Achievements

Champion Older Male — 1929
Champion Older Male — 1930
Champion Older Male — 1931

Notable 

Won the Hawthorne Gold Cup — 1929, 1930, 1931
Won the Washington Handicap — 1929, 1930
Won the Latonia Championship — 1928
Won the Maryland Handicap — 1928
Won the Potomac Handicap — 1928
Won the Aqueduct Handicap — 1929
Won the Havre de Grace Cup — 1929
Won the Southern Maryland Handicap — 1930
Won the Toronto Autumn Cup — 1930
Won the Arlington Cup — 1931
Won the Arlington Handicap — 1931
Won the Fashion Stakes — 1931
Won the Lincoln Handicap — 1931
Won the Philadelphia Handicap — 1931

Horse Profile for Sun Beau | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information

 

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