Shue Fly: Racing’s Darling
August 14, 2009
Shue Fly’s achievements on the track garnered her many fans.
Shue Fly was beloved by many race fans.
By Richard Chamberlain for America’s Horse
Throughout most of the 1940s, Shue Fly was the biggest fish in a small but steadily growing pond — the body known as the American Quarter Racing Association. The Tucson, Arizona-based group was the forerunner of today’s AQHA racing arm.
One of a trio of horses to win three world championships, it’s unfortunate that one of her most-remembered races is one of the very few she ever lost. The was in 1947, when she was beaten by the King Ranch’s record-holding 4-year-old Woven Web at Del Rio, Texas.
Bred by Lloyd Miller of Chama, New Mexico, Shue Fly was by Cowboy and was out of the Booger Red mare Lady Luck. Foaled in 1937, Shue Fly spent most of her career as a match racer, first for Bob Burris of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and then for the Hepler brothers, who ranched in southern New Mexico.
Today’s racing American Quarter Horses have the blood of many greats flowing through their veins. One of those greats is Three Bars (TB). To learn more about this influential sire, read our Three Bars (TB) Bloodline report.
Shue Fly was first bred in 1948, producing a number of foals that died at birth or a few months later, including one that drowned in a water trough. However, four of her foals survived, including three that won races: the mares Little Fly and La Mosquita, and the stallion Roy Charge, a son of Depth Charge (TB).
But Shue fly is best remembered for what she did on the track.
“I suspect Shue Fly was as fast a racehorse as I ever saw,” declared Bob Denhardt, AQHA’s first executive secretary and a charter member of the board of AQRA. “Generally, she just loped along with the pack until she saw the finish line and then shifted into high. This was the reason so many thought she should run longer distances. Apparently, she saw no reason to run fast until the end. This characteristic made true believers out of many who thought they could beat her next time.
Shue Fly was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame in March 2005.
Shue Fly wasn’t the only racehorse with influential progeny. Read our Three Bars (TB) Bloodline report to see what Three Bars (TB) and his progeny accomplished on the track.
Shue Fly Facts
- Shue Fly was named AQHA Champion Racing American Quarter Horse in 1941, 1942 and 1943.
- In October 1946, Shue Fly set a new track record and a new world record in a stakes race at The Downs at Albuquerque. She went 440 yards in :22.300 seconds.
- In 1941, 1942 and 1943, Shue Fly earned the title of AQHA Racing Champion Mare.
The history of racing American Quarter Horses is fascinating. You can learn more about it from the people who live the excitement every day. “The Story of American Quarter Horse Racing” DVD is packed full of stories from jockeys, trainers and owners, all sharing their love of Quarter Horse racing.
Sometimes, you just can’t make it to every race. That’s one of the many reasons we developed Q-Racing Video; you can watch live streaming video from many of your favorite tracks that feature American Quarter Horse racing, or even watch archived race footage. Check it out today!
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10 Comments on “Shue Fly: Racing’s Darling”
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September 1st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
PLEASE IF POSSIBLE RESEARCH THE POSSIBILITY THAT MY FATHER
ABE SALAZAR WAS THE TRUE OWNER OF SHUE FLY AT THE BEGINNING OF HER RACING CAREER.MY FATHER RACED HER UNDER THE NAME OF SPANISH GIRL.
THE PHOTO THAT APPEARS IN THE AMERICA’S HQRSE DAILY 8/14/2009
SHUE FLY-RACING’S DARLING -I CAN CLEARLY SEE MY BELOVED PAPA SECOND
FROM LEFT.THE ARTICLE DOESN’T SAY WHERE THIS RACE WAS RUN.ALSO I
HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE JOCKEY THAT RODE HER BY THE NAME OF PETE DOMINGUEZ.
I HAVE SOME BOOKS THAT HAVE SOME ARTICLES WHERE THERE IS MENTION OF FATHER.LOOKING FORWARD TO A RESPONSE. RESPECTFULLY ROSE BARRY
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:37 pm
please research
thanks
Rose barry
September 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Hi Rose,
The picture was taken on October 1, 1946, at the New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
I was not able to find any information on whether or not your father owned her. The only owner we have listed is the Helper brothers. I checked under the name “Spanish Girl” (and similar names) as well and did not find anything.
However, on her racing record, the owner is listed as “not available” for her first two races and her last race. On her third race and up until her last, the owner is listed as the Helper brothers.
I hope this was helpful.
Best wishes,
Julie Preble
AQHA Journal Intern
December 7th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Can you please research any archives you have for my family. They were all jockeys in the early 40’s. One of them is Pete Dominguez, He was the jockey who used to ride Hall of Fame Quarter Horse Shue Fly, mentioned in the above article, champion of the world at one time. He was from Manassa, CO.
He has since past as is survived by brothers, also all former jockies as well, Andy, Tony, Vernal, Celestino (Tino) and Kelly Dominguez.
I am trying to find photo’s of them at a race or any articles that you have come across. It’s hard to track down all this heritage and I was hoping you would be able to help. Even just a nudge in a general direction would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
Caroline Dominguez,
Great Niece of Pete, Kelly, Tino and Andy Dominguez,
Granddaughter of Vernal Dominguez
January 7th, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Caroline, This is you uncle Tino if you are looking for any photos or articles Bobby Archuleta has most of them you can give us a call at 626-808-1080.
Love uncle Tino.
March 5th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
I believe my grandfather, Earl Southern, rode Shue Fly at one time. Miss Princess beat Shue Fly while he was riding. Does anyone have pictures of Earl Southern?
Linda Robinson
June 3rd, 2011 at 9:03 am
June 3,2011
Caroline Dominguez -Pete’s Parents Mr & Mrs Juan Dominguez were my Godparents. I was also born in Manassa Co. I had been in touch with Pete a few years back he was living in N.M. He send me some photos of him & Shue Fly.You can email me and I will give you my phone # and we can chat.
Linda Robinson- I remember your grandfather Earl. I was just a youngster but he was a good friend of my father Abe Salazar and I remember him visiting my parents when we lived in Cortez CO.You can also email me and I will look thru photos.
January 21st, 2012 at 12:25 am
Does anyone have a photo of her back, left hindquarter/ hip that indicates the ‘fly’…a dark spot…approximately 6″ ?
Thank you
February 10th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Hey I am also doing some research on my family and pete was my grandfather and just to note i was put up for adoption in 1994 and i was wondering if any of you know where petes daughter Mae is at you can email me at ugeo57@yahoo.com
May 17th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Hello Rose (Salazar) Barry, Did you find any pictures of my Grandfather Earl Southern? My Mom has a few & may have one with your Father in it also. I am sorry to be so long in responding. What is your email address? You can email me at robinson1765@roadrunner.com. Thank you.
RE: Linda Robinson- I remember your grandfather Earl. I was just a youngster but he was a good friend of my father Abe Salazar and I remember him visiting my parents when we lived in Cortez CO.You can also email me and I will look thru photos.