In this day of multiple embryos and clones, it is interesting to note that quantity does not guarantee quality, as proven by the thoroughbred sire Domino, who died 114 years ago.

I was reminded of Domino while trekking through the pedigree of Quarter race sire Feature Mr Jess, who was euthanized last week. Whether a Quarter race or performance pedigree, go back far enough and Domino will pop up. Three Bars carries Domino three times in five generations and Luke McLuke, Three Bars’ dam’s sire, was by the double Domino-bred sire Ultimus. Similar inbreeding (although mild compared to modern cutting horse pedigrees) could explain Domino’s success, as he had three crosses in four generations to the great American sire Lexington.

Known to race goers as the “Black Whirlwind (he was actually brown),” in 1893, Domino won $170,890 as an unbeaten 2-year-old. He was the first juvenile in history to earn such a sum and his record held until 1931, when a descendent, Top Flight, made $219,000.

Domino was retired at four to stand at James R. Keene’s Castleton Stud near Keeneland, KY. He died at six, following his second season at stud, having sired 19 foals that lived to adulthood, one of which was Commando.

Commando, reportedly a big, coarse-looking horse compared to his refined sire, won his first five starts at two and the Belmont Stakes at three, before breaking down in the third race of his 3-year-old year. He died of tetanus in March 1905, at the beginning of his third season at stud, having sired a total of 25 foals.

From fewer than 20 foals and after more than 100 years, Domino’s legacy lives on, as proven by Feature Mr Jess, whose entire third generation – Streakin Six, Bottom’s Up; Sinn Fein; Legs La Scoop, Truly Truckle TB; Feature That; Cornish Prince TB and Lyvette TB – carries strong ties to the Black Whirlwind.