Lucy Kilmer was one of the Super Star broodmares from the past. She was foaled in 1946 and sired by American Ace by American Born out of a daughter of King Barrymore by Bourbon King, 2nd dam by Jack Twigg by Rex Peavine. Purchased as a 2 year old from Charlie Dunn by Rose A Lee Farm, she began her broodmare career at the age of four, and 21 foals later, had her last foal in 1971. From 1950 through 1971, the only year she missed having a foal was in 1952. She was owned by Rose A Lee Farms for all 21 of her colts, and that farm also owned the stallion King of Rose A Lee who was the sire of 15 of her colts.
Similarly bred, King of Rose a Lee was by Royal Kalarama by Kalarama Rex and out of Joy Light by American Born. In 1945 he was purchased by Clarence and Helen Falls, also from Charlie Dunn, then renamed for their Rose A Lee Farm. Unlike Lucy Kilmer, who apparently had no show record, King of Rose A Lee was shown by his owner Helen Falls in Fine Harness for a number of years. Even though he had a reputation as being a difficult stallion to handle, Mrs. Falls campaigned him with good success.
Lucy produced 14 fillies and 7 colts (2 stallions/5 geldings) in her lifetime. Five received their CHampion status, there was one World's Grand Champion, one Reserve World's Grand Champion, five World's Champions, and two Reserve World's Champions. While most of her good show colts were sired by King of Rose A Lee, her last six foals were sired by five different stallions, and a couple were quite successful. So don't go giving all the credit to King of Rose A Lee, since all of his best offspring were out of Lucy Kilmer with the exception of his daughter Kitty Smith BHF, who was out of Golden Lucy. Evidently he needed Lucy more than she needed him, but together, they were definitely a power couple.
Here are her colts listed in chronological order. And since no one photographs a one eyed broodmare, here is a photo of the handsome King of Rose A Lee.
1. 1950 M RWC Sweetest Story Ever Told
2. 1951 M RWC Rose A Lee's Sensation
3. 1953 M Truly A Rose
4. 1954 M Georgia's Rose
5. 1955 G Rose A Lee's King of Kings
6. 1956 G Lucy Kilmer's King
7. 1957 M. CH WC Rose of Fremar (originally named Pretty Patsy of Rose A Lee)
8. 1958 M CH WGC Miss Helen (originally named Just a Rose of Rose A Lee)
9. 1959 S RWGC Knollandaire (originally named King of Rose A Lee Again)
10. 1960 M CH WC Miss Lib (originally named Easter Time Gal)
11. 1961 M Lucy Kilmer's Rose
12. 1962 M Remember Me of Rose A Lee
13. 1963 M CH WC Look at Me from Rose A Lee
14. 1964 G Magnificent Kin of Rose A Lee
15. 1965 M Miss Rose A Lee *the last one sired by King of Rose A Lee
16. 1966 G CH WC Woodford County by Mountjoy's Royal Genius (originally named Royal King of Rose A Lee
17. 1967 M Me O My of Rose A Lee by Wingmaster
18. 1968 M Rose of my Heart by Dawn's Squadron Leader
19. 1969 S WC Sir Kilarney's Rose by Broadland's Kilarney
20. 1970 G Royal Firefly by Mountjoy's Royal Genius
21. 1971 M Lucy's Lovely Lady by Mountjoy's Denmark Jewel
There's not a lot of Lucy Kilmer left these days. Most of her daughter's weren't prolific in numbers, and her best daughters weren't nearly as successful in producing show colts as Lucy Kilmer. Her best producing son was Knollandaire, who had a great daughter named McLeod's Tia Maria. Through this mare came another BHF, Mountain Maria, and Tia Maria's granddaughter Memorable Molly was the dam of CH Blackberry Delight. Blackberry Delight showed for 14 seasons in multiple divisions including in-hand, Park, Fine Harness, 3 Gaited, and Pleasure driving and 3 Gaited Pleasure. So here are a few more photos to show the legacy of Lucy Kilmer. Not bad for a one-eyed broodmare.
