Misty Morn was by the young Claiborne stallion *Princequillo, who initially stood at the Hancock family’s Virginia farm Ellerslie for $250. The stallion had been relocated to Kentucky after considerable success in his initial crops where he covered Wheately Stables’ blue hen mare Grey Flight.
The third foal from her dam, Misty Morn came to hand quickly for trainer “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons. At two and the three, the big, rangy filly raced 42 times, coming on in her 3-year-old season to be named year-end Champion 3-Year-Old and Handicap Female. That season’s highlights included victories in the Monmouth Oaks, Diana H., Molly Pitcher H., and Providence S. She also showed her toughness by defeating older males in the Gallant Fox H. in track record time.
Retired with earnings of $212,575, Misty Morn carried her Champion performance to the breeding shed by producing two Champion Juvenile Colts (both by Bold Ruler). The first was Bold Lad, a foal of 1962. The handsome chestnut was dominant at two, winning the Hopeful, Futurity, and Champagne. His performances were so spectacular that he received a whopping 130 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap. The second was Successor in 1964. Successor won the Garden State S. and Champagne S., and defeated Dr. Fager, which gave him an edge in the balloting for year-end Champion.
In addition, Misty Morn produced stakes winners Sunrise Flight, Beautiful Day, and Bold Consort. Named Broodmare of the Year in 1963, Misty Morn appears in the pedigrees of Kentucky Oaks winner Dispute, Champagne S. winner Adjudicating, as well as through Sunrise Flight, broodmare sire of Champion Pleasant Colony.