Memories of Silver euthanized at 24

Memories of Silver, a Darby Dan homebred who was both a Grade 1 winner and producer for the historic operation, was euthanized Sept. 18 due to the infirmities of old age. The Silver Hawk mare was 24.

Bred by the Galbreath/Phillips Racing Partnership, Memories of Silver first raced in the name of Darby Dan steward John Phillips’s late father, James W. “Wally” Phillips, and later for John Phillips and his mother, Joan. The mare was trained throughout her career by Jimmy Toner, who continues with the operation’s homebreds today.

For photos, read Barbara Livingston's tribute to Memories of Silver

Memories of Silver first announced herself by winning four consecutive races when switched to turf in her 3-year-old campaign, culminating with the 1996 Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, in which she established a record time of 1:45.81 for 1 1/8 miles. She added a second Grade 1 the following season when she prevailed by a neck in the Beverly D. Stakes at Arlington Park.

The mare’s other graded stakes victories came in the Grade 2 Diana Handicap, Grade 3 Nijana Stakes, Grade 3 Just a Game Breeders’ Cup Handicap, and Grade 3 Ballston Spa Breeders’ Cup Handicap. She recorded seven other stakes wins or placings, including a trio of Grade 1 placings. In total, the mare won 9 of 19 career starts, only missing the board twice, for earnings of $1,448,715.

As a broodmare, Memories of Silver’s several stakes runners are led by Winter Memories, whose seven graded stakes victories were led by the Grade 1 Garden City Stakes and Grade 1 Diana Stakes. Memories of Silver also produced Grade 3 winner La Cloche and stakes winners British Blue and War Trace. Several of the mare’s daughters have gone on to become stakes producers; La Cloche is the dam of multiple stakes winner Bellavais, while Winter Memories’s first foal, Make Memories, won the Kazakhstan Derby in August. Another daughter, Recollect, is the dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Elusive Collection; Star Silver is the dam of stakes winner Red Lodge; and Bridal Memories is the dam of stake-placed Winaholic and the second dam of stakes winner Daddy’s Song.