At least six roses bred by Frank Riethmuller were named after racehorses. In the case of 'Gay Vista' we have Riethmuller's own word for it (Your Garden, January 1959, p. 21). The horse Gayness was born in Australia in 1941, racing circa 1943–46. Evidently the rose 'Gayness' was named about the same time, though not registered till 1955. Something very similar applies to his rose 'Filagree.' Together they strongly suggest Riethmuller was breeding hybrid teas during the Second World War.