Destined to sire one of California's most colorful and endearing racehorses, this equine from Great Britain found his own measure of success after coming from Europe.

Southern California racing fans only saw Sullivan in action during the 1947 campaign, but they saw plenty of him between Santa Anita and Hollywood Park's respective meetings. Following a few starts across the pond, which yielded no less than one stakes win, Sullivan started his time in the Golden State at Santa Anita.

He went winless in two starts over the Arcadia oval, but came back in late May at Hollywood Park to win a six furlong allowance on the main track to begin a productive spring and summer at the Track of the Lakes and Flowers.

Staying largely in the allowance ranks, Sullivan never finished worse than third in six starts at Hollywood Park. He went on a two-race winning streak before taking third in the seven-furlong Will Rogers Handicap. After going six furlongs in each of those prior victories, Sullivan showed he could handle seven furlongs with another allowance score, and came back soon after to get the distance in a mile and one-sixteenth contest. In what became his last start, he went back to seven-eighths of a mile, earning another win at a track he clearly enjoyed.

Following his racing career, Sullivan went on to sire the amazing Silky Sullivan, who went on to become one of California's most famous racehorses. Silky was similar to his father in the sense that he spent much of his time in allowance races and could handle different distances.

But they were completely different in running styles. Sullivan liked to be close to the front, while Silky relished spotting the leader a lot of lengths and making a charge in the face of what appeared to be certain defeat.

But even though they were complete opposites in terms of race tactics, the sire gave his son a winning instinct as Silky won a dozen races during his three seasons of competition.

Sullivan was not without success in his career, particularly in California. But with a career spent almost completely at the allowance level, he never really had a chance to show what he could do against stakes company, save for his start in the Will Rogers. He also did not venture out of Southern California, while Silky made stops up North in addition to being a regular in the Southland.

But it can be said that Sullivan was indeed a winner, as he took at least six races between Europe and the United States. And he ensured his name will be recognized out West thanks to his son.

Without Sullivan, Silky would never have raced. And given Silky's status in the present, Sullivan has unquestionably made an indelible contribution to the California racing timeline after proving he could win races in his own right during 1947.