Racing Career
Reel was born in Alabama at the farm of James Jackson, although both her sire and dam were imported from England. Before he was purchased by James Jackson's stud farm, Reel's sire Glencoe won the 2,000 Guineas and Ascot Gold Cup during his English racing career. Glencoe was not only was the sire of Reel, but also of the great broodmare Pocahontas, considered to be one of the most important female lines in history. Through Pocahontas, his is the blood that runs through three great sires and racehorses: Stockwell, Rataplan, and King Tom. In America, Glencoe was the leading sire in 1847, 1849, 1850 and from 1854 to 1858, inclusive.
During his first American season in 1837, Glencoe covered Galopade. She had already produced two fillies that would become successful broodmares when crossed to Glencoe: Fandango and Cotillion (both by Leviathan). Galopade had been bred by Colonel King, and was imported to Canada in 1836, before James Jackson purchased her. Her sire, Catton, was also sire to Trustee (father of the mare Fashion and other great horses). Galopade was one of the most productive mares ever bred. Her three great daughters—Fandango, Cotillion, and Reel—extend into the bloodlines of many winners of today.
General Thomas Jefferson Wells, brother of Louisiana Governor James Madison Wells, purchased a half interest in the yearling Reel for $1,000, and went on to become the sole owner of the filly before she was three. As a three-year-old, she began her career winning the first two races of two miles, before claiming the Jockey Club Purse in the four-miler. As a four-year-old, she won four more races, including a match race with Miss Foote. During this time, she almost set a new record for 4 miles (7:32), which was held by Fashion.
She lost once in her career, as a five-year-old, after she took a bad step and could not catch the leading colt, George Martin. She retired after that race, with 7 wins out of 8 starts.
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