Busher

Busher (1942–1955) was a thoroughbred racing filly who was a champion at ages two and three, and the American Horse of the Year in 1945. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1964. On the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, Busher was ranked 40th. Background and pedigree Busher was bred by Col. Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm in Kentucky. She was sired by Triple Crown winner War Admiral, a son of Man o' War. Bradley had previously avoided using stallions from this sire line due to the reputation many had for being hot-blooded. However, he was convinced to make an exception, in part because War Admiral physically resembled his maternal grandsire, Sweep, a horse that Bradley had long admired. Busher's dam Baby League was by Bubbling Over, winner of the 1926 Kentucky Derby. Baby League was the third foal of one of the most influential foundation mares of the twentieth century, La Troienne. Busher was an "exquisite" chestnut filly standing high, noted for her intelligent head, beautiful stride and kind disposition. Bradley gave most of his horses names that started with a B — for instance, Bimelech, Black Helen, Bubbling Over, Black Toney (sire of Black Gold), Blue Larkspur, Black Servant, Behave Yourself, Burgoo King and Broker's Tip were just a few of the 128 stakes winners he bred. Racing career