Blushing Groom

Blushing Groom (8 April 1974 – 6 May 1992) was a French champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was bred by American businessman John McNamee Sullivan and was raced by HH Aga Khan IV. A descendant of Nearco, Blushing Groom was sired by Red God and out of the mare Runaway Bride. He was trained by François Mathet in France. Blushing Groom raced six times in 1976 at age two. He finished third on his debut, then won the next five races, including four Group One events, capturing the Prix Robert Papin, Prix Morny, Prix de la Salamandre and Grand Critérium. His performances earned him French Champion Two-Year-Old honors. As a three-year-old, Blushing Groom extended his win streak to seven, winning the 1977 Prix de Fontainebleau and the GI Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Sent to England to compete in The Derby, he faced a 1½ mile challenge, a distance fifty per cent longer than he had ever run before. He finished third to winner The Minstrel, a son of Northern Dancer.