Dark Mirage was a 4 year old mare that was very successful on the track. On the east coast she won 9 stakes races in a row. Dark Mirage was winner of the American Triple Tiara, also called the Filly Triple Crown. She then moved to the west coast and ran in the Santa Maria Handicap and won by a head while squeezing through on the rail. In her last five starts after she took first in each. In 1969 she injured her fetlock while racing and was sadly euthanized.
Dark Mirage is not as pretty as some of the other racers. Her neck is very thin and has a distinct upward curve along her topline, giving her a minor “ewe neck.” Her front legs are very thin, with almost no muscling above her knees. The same can be noted in her gaskins (above her hocks), which are also less muscled than other horses’. Her front hooves and fetlock joints are very small compared to her back legs, suggesting why her injury was in a fetlock joint. Her back is short and she has a deep heart-girth, but overall she is not a successful conformationally as other horses, however this did not impact the start of her career.
Dark Mirage is not as pretty as some of the other racers. Her neck is very thin and has a distinct upward curve along her topline, giving her a minor “ewe neck.” Her front legs are very thin, with almost no muscling above her knees. The same can be noted in her gaskins (above her hocks), which are also less muscled than other horses’. Her front hooves and fetlock joints are very small compared to her back legs, suggesting why her injury was in a fetlock joint. Her back is short and she has a deep heart-girth, but overall she is not a successful conformationally as other horses, however this did not impact the start of her career.