Comely

American-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Comely

Sire| Disguise
Grandsire| Domino
Dam| Pretty Maiden
Damsire| Kingston
Sex| Filly
Foaled| 1912
Country| United States
Colour| Brown
Breeder| James R. Keene
Owner| James Butler
Trainer| Richard C. Benson
Record| 22: 7-8-3
Earnings| $17,355
Major wins
Fall Highweight Handicap (1914)
Keene Memorial Stakes (1914)
Laureate Stakes (1914)
Honors
Comely Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack
Last updated on 2008-12-22

Comely (foaled 1912) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. She was bred by James R. Keene who sold her in a package deal to James Butler, owner of the Empire City Race Track. Butler had bought the entire 1912 crop produced by Keene's Castleton Stud.[1]

## Background[edit]

Comely's sire was Disguise who raced in England for owner/breeder James R. Keene. Disguise was the winner of the 1900 Jockey Club Stakes and ran third in that year's Epsom Derby.[2] Both her grandsire and damsire were elected to the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.[3][4]

Comely is best remembered from her racing days for a remarkable performance as a two-year-old when she defeated older male horses to win the first running of the Fall Highweight Handicap in 1914. Going into 2019, she remains the only two-year-old to win the Fall Highweight Handicap and one of only a few two-year-olds to defeat older horses in a major stakes race.[5][6]

The Comely Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, New York is named in her honor.[7]

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Castleton-Bred Two-Year-Olds That Won $70,000 for J. Butler". Daily Racing Form at University of Kentucky Archives. 1914-12-17. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
2. ^ "Comely". Select Web Ventures, LLC. 2018-12-22. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
3. ^ "Domino". Racingmuseum.org. 1956-01-01. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
4. ^ "Kingston". Racingmuseum.org. 1956-01-01. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
5. ^ "History Challenge: Comely Easy Victor In Autumn Handicap" (PDF). New York Times. 1914-09-10. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
6. ^ "History Challenge: Comely enjoyed remarkable season in 1914". Daily Racing Form (DRF). 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
7. ^ "Comely Stakes". New York Racing Association (NYRA). 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2018-12-16.