Overview
Sickle (8 February 1924 – 26 December 1943) was a British‑bred Thoroughbred stallion who achieved prominence as a racehorse in England before becoming an influential sire after his export to the United States. He was twice the leading sire in North America (1936 and 1938).
Breeding
- Sire: Phalaris, a two‑time leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland and three‑time leading broodmare sire.
- Dam: Selene, who produced sixteen named foals, including notable racers such as Hyperion and Hunter’s Moon.
- Full brother: Pharamond, also a successful U.S. sire.
Sickle was inbred to Cyllene (3S×4D) and St Simon (4S×3D).
Racing Career
Trained by George Lambton and owned by Lord Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, Sickle raced ten times with a record of 3 wins, 4 seconds, and 2 thirds. Highlights include:
- Victory in the Mersey Stakes (1926) and Goodwood Prince of Wales’s Stakes (1926).
- A third‑place finish in the 2,000 Guineas Stakes (1927) from a field of twenty‑three.
Stud Career
After his three‑year lease to American breeder Joseph E. Widener in 1929, Sickle was shipped to the United States for the 1930 breeding season and purchased outright by Widener in 1932. His impact as a sire includes:
- Siring 297 foals, of which 45 were stakes winners.
- Notable offspring such as Hindu Queen, Jabot, Brevity, Cravat, Silver Spear (Durban July Handicap winner), Stagehand (American Champion Three‑Year‑Old Male Horse, 1938), and Star Pilot (American Champion Two‑Year‑Old Colt, 1945).
- Through his son Unbreakable, Sickle’s sire line produced Polynesian (Preakness Stakes winner, 1945; American Champion Sprint Horse, 1947) who in turn sired Hall of Fame inductee Native Dancer. This lineage extends to modern champions such as Raise A Native and the influential Northern Dancer.
Legacy
Sickle’s genetic legacy endures through a prolific sire line that has shaped mid‑20th‑century North American Thoroughbred breeding, contributing significantly to the pedigrees of numerous classic winners and leading sires. His dual status as leading sire in the United States underscores his lasting impact on the sport.
