Busher (1942–1955) was a thoroughbred racing filly who was a champion at ages two and three, and the American Horse of the Year in 1945. She was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1964. On the Blood-Horse magazine List of the Top 100 U.S. Racehorses of the 20th Century, Busher was ranked 40th. Background and pedigree Busher was bred by Col. Edward R. Bradley's Idle Hour Stock Farm in Kentucky. She was sired by Triple Crown winner War Admiral, a son of Man o' War. Bradley had previously avoided using stallions from this sire line due to the reputation many had for being hot-blooded. However, he was convinced to make an exception, in part because War Admiral physically resembled his maternal grandsire, Sweep, a horse that Bradley had long admired. Busher's dam Baby League was by Bubbling Over, winner of the 1926 Kentucky Derby. Baby League was the third foal of one of the most influential foundation mares of the twentieth century, La Troienne. Busher was an "exquisite" chestnut filly standing high, noted for her intelligent head, beautiful stride and kind disposition. Bradley gave most of his horses names that started with a B — for instance, Bimelech, Black Helen, Bubbling Over, Black Toney (sire of Black Gold), Blue Larkspur, Black Servant, Behave Yourself, Burgoo King and Broker's Tip were just a few of the 128 stakes winners he bred. Racing career In 1944 at age two, Busher raced for Bradley and was trained by former jockey Jimmy Smith. She won in her racing debut on May 30 at Belmont Park, and returned two months later to record another win by four lengths. She would normally have been moved to Saratoga for the summer race meeting but because of World War II travel restrictions, the Saratoga races were instead held at Belmont. Busher finished fourth in the Spinaway Stakes due to a poor start, but then won the Adirondack Handicap. She lost a six-furlong allowance race by a head while conceding 8 pounds to the victor Nomadic, then turned the tables with a win in the Matron Stakes with Nomadic in fourth. This was the beginning of her reputation for always getting revenge on any horse who beat her. For her final start of the year, Busher traveled to Laurel Park where she won the Selima Stakes by three lengths. Among the horses she