Discover the Fascinating World of Citizen Bull: Pedigree Trivia Unleashed!

Jan 09, 2025 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Our “Pedigree fun facts” series makes a comeback for the Road to the 2025 Kentucky Derby, starting with Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) victor Citizen Bull.

Beginning the year leading the domestic standings, Citizen Bull is just one among a veritable array of contenders fathered by the distinguished stallion Into Mischief. Other noteworthy three-year-olds by Into Mischief consist of Barnes, Patch Adams, Sovereignty, and Tappan Street.

Overview of sire Into Mischief

Into Mischief has already produced two Kentucky Derby (G1) champions, Authentic (2020) and Mandaloun (2021). Should he sire a third, Into Mischief would equal the all-time record held by 19th-century stallions Virgil and Falsetto along with 20th-century icons *Sir Gallahad III and Bull Lea. Additionally, Into Mischief is the paternal grandfather of 2024 Derby winner Mystik Dan, whose sire is Goldencents, a son of Into Mischief.

The consistently leading sire in North America, Into Mischief has just shattered his own record for single-season progeny earnings. His descendants totaled over $35.4 million in prizes in 2024. Citizen Bull contributed to this figure, and his Juvenile triumph granted Into Mischief a record-tying eighth Breeders’ Cup victory as a sire.

Considering the number of Into Mischiefs in the Derby arena, it could become quite tedious to continue delving into his lineage while we analyze his progeny. Therefore, we’ll highlight only the key points and emphasize the respective dams (mothers) of the contenders by Into Mischief.

Into Mischief, who captured his signature victory in the 2007 CashCall Futurity (G1), hails from the illustrious sire line of the 1964 Kentucky Derby and Preakness champion Northern Dancer through the branch of Storm Cat. Into Mischief’s sire, the $3.6 million-earner Harlan’s Holiday, finished seventh as the favorite in the 2002 Derby.

Into Mischief’s dam, Leslie’s Lady, also produced Hall of Famer Beholder and fellow multi-millionaire Mendelssohn. In recognition of her excellence, Leslie’s Lady was awarded Broodmare of the Year in 2016. (For more information regarding Into Mischief, click here.)

Citizen Bull boasts distinguished relatives on his maternal lineage as well. He descends from the unraced No Joke, a progeny of the notable Distorted Humor.

Below are the pedigree fun facts concerning Citizen Bull’s maternal lineage:

Maternal grandfather Distorted Humor sired Funny Cide.

Distorted Humor, by the champion and 1988 Kentucky Derby runner-up Forty Niner, had a remarkable start to his stud career, having sired 2003 Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide with his initial crop. Although Funny Cide was unable to capture the Triple Crown, finishing third in the Belmont (G1), Distorted Humor completed the series successfully as a sire. His offspring Drosselmeyer won the 2010 Belmont, later securing a shocking victory in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Another son of Distorted Humor, the 2005 Travers (G1) sensation Flower Alley, subsequently sired the 2012 Derby and Preakness champion I’ll Have Another.

The legacy of Distorted Humor is particularly illustrious through his daughters, who have produced notable progeny such as Hall of Famer Arrogate (more on him below), Hong Kong luminary Golden Sixty, multi-millionaires Art Collector and Elate, in addition to the multiple Grade 1 star Constitution (also a successful sire).

Citizen Bull is bred on the same cross as Life Is Good and Practical Joke.

It’s significant to highlight two notable horses bred along the exact same lines as Citizen Bull, both being by Into Mischief out of Distorted Humor mares – Life Is Good and Practical Joke.

Life Is Good was the early frontrunner for the 2021 Kentucky Derby, yet suffered an injury following his triumph in the San Felipe (G2). Once back at his dazzling best, he clinched major titles such as the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), Pegasus World Cup (G1), Whitney (G1), and Woodward (G1), retiring with over $4.5 million in earnings.

Practical Joke, who finished fifth gallantly in the 2017 Derby, thrived in shorter distances. He emerged victorious in the Hopeful (G1) and Champagne (G1) at two, additionally capturing the one-turn Dwyer (G3) and H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

(G1) at three. Practical Joke’s offspring Domestic Product replicated the same Dwyer/Jerkens double after he was unplaced in the 2024 Kentucky Derby.

Citizen Bull’s “aunt” was a victorious favorite at the 2017 Breeders’ Cup.

No Joke is herself a half-sister to Moonshine Memories, who triumphed in her first three career outings including the 2017 Del Mar Debutante (G1) and Chandelier (G1). This made Moonshine Memories the favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), but she ultimately finished seventh.

Another half-sibling to No Joke, Indian Evening, secured victory in two of three starts. He placed a distant third in the 2011 Saratoga Special (G2) behind the rising star Union Rags, thereafter returning to his home base at Woodbine to win the Swynford S.

Citizen Bull mirrored his ancestor Unbridled’s Song by clinching the Juvenile.

No Joke, Indian Evening, and Moonshine Memories all descend from Unenchantedevening, a daughter of 1995 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile star Unbridled’s Song. Sired by 1990 Kentucky Derby champion Unbridled, Unbridled’s Song excelled in the Florida Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G2), being the frontrunner in the 1996 Kentucky Derby. Sadly, Unbridled’s Song could not replicate his sire’s success and finished fifth. However, another offspring of Unbridled, Grindstone, rose to seize that Run for the Roses.

Unbridled’s Song evolved into an exceptional sire, with notable progeny such as Arrogate, the highest-earning North American Thoroughbred with a total exceeding $17.4 million; U.S. champions including Will Take Charge, Midshipman, and Forever Unbridled; as well as Liam’s Map; Unbridled Elaine; and Unrivaled Belle (the dam of two-time champion Unique Bella).

It is noteworthy that No Joke’s lineage is a mirror reflection of Arrogate’s. The late Arrogate was sired by Unbridled’s Song and a Distorted Humor mare, while No Joke is bred on the opposite cross of Distorted Humor over an Unbridled’s Song mare.

Favorite Trick and Tiz the Law both originate from the same female lineage.

Citizen Bull’s maternal grandmother (second dam), Unenchantedevening, is a half-sister to 1997 Horse of the Year Favorite Trick. Through his flawless 8-for-8 season culminating in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Favorite Trick accomplished the unusual achievement of winning Horse of the Year at the age of two.

The only other juvenile to acquire the Horse of the Year honor since 1971, when the Eclipse Awards were established to determine championship honors, was the legendary Secretariat. However, their paths at three were markedly distinct. Favorite Trick’s three-year-old season was lackluster; his limitations in distance became evident, leading to an eighth-place finish in the 1998 Kentucky Derby.

A more contemporary star from this female line is Tiz the Law, a prominent contender on the pandemic-altered 2020 Triple Crown trail. Champion of the Champagne, Florida Derby, Belmont, and Travers, he placed as the favorite in the rescheduled Kentucky Derby that took place over Labor Day weekend.

Citizen Bull traces back to the significant matriarch *Fairy Gold.

If you track the maternal lineage back to the early 20th century, you discover the mother-daughter duo of *Fairy Gold and St. Lucre.

*Fairy Gold left an enduring impact on the breed, particularly through her sons Fair Play (sire of Man o’ War) and Friar Rock, the 1916 Belmont winner. Her daughter St. Lucre became the progenitor of numerous European champions, most notably two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe icon Corrida (1936-37).