Category: History

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Pharoah’s Phoals

American Pharoah stands at Coolmore America, Ashford Stud in Versailles, KY.
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American Pharoah stands at Coolmore America, Ashford Stud in Versailles, KY.
American Pharoah stands at Coolmore America, Ashford Stud, in Versailles, KY.

The sweltering summer is swiftly sweeping by as we welcome July and all of the super racing and sales that this month has to offer.  As our Triple Crown winning, 2 time Eclipse Winning, Breeders’ Cup Classic and Grand Slam winning, American Pharoah  headed off yesterday I am looking forward to admiring what he has left behind for now, Pharoah’s phoals.

Keeping American Pharoah comfortable in his stall is very important at Ashford Stud.
Keeping American Pharoah comfortable in his stall is very important at Ashford Stud.

American Pharoah retired from racing after his record breaking 2015 racing season.  He stands at Coolmore America, Ashford Stud, in Versailles, KY during North America’s breeding season and then he ships to Coolmore Australia to breed during their season.  American Pharoah went into quarantine for shipping to Australia the last day of June.  His presence in KY will be missed but fortunately he leaves behind many from his 2 crops of foals.

American Pharoah gives some side eye to his fans from his stall at Ashford Stud.
American Pharoah gives some side eye to his fans from his stall at Ashford Stud.

American Pharoah’s foals are too young to race but they are fun to follow for their cuteness, the price that they bring at sales and the promise of future racing.  His 2017 North American crop has earned an average of $445,500 at auction for 10 of 13 weanlings offered.  In 2018 his North American offspring, 3 of 5 yearlings offered, have sold for an average of  $540,000.  American Pharoah has had two of his offspring sell for a million dollars each.  No other sire had a million dollar weanling in 2017.  In 2 North American crops, he has 173 foals, 14 weanlings and 159 yearlings.  He covered 208 mares in North America in 2016 and 214 in 2017.  His 2018 season just ended in June.  His 2016 reported stud fee was listed at $200,000 and was last listed as private.  People must be really holding on to those foals to race them themselves or watch as the value goes up.  It is July and we are about to see some more of his foals at auction!

This stud is a handsome looker. American Pharoah poses for his fans at Ashford Stud.
This stud is a handsome looker.  American Pharoah poses for his fans at Ashford Stud.

On Tuesday, July 10th, 2018 at 10 A.M ET, Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, KY will hold their July Selected Yearlings Sale.  I am in a lot of anticipation for this sale and I plan to follow up with pictures from the sale of these two American Pharoah fillies.  Hip 131 is a filly born to Yong Musician consigned by a selected sales agent for Machmer Hall.  Hip 205 was foaled by Distorted Point and will be sold by Bluewater Sales, LLC.

Look at that conformation! American Pharoah looks so healthy at Ashford Stud.
Look at that conformation!  American Pharoah looks so healthy at Ashford Stud.

I will continue to cover more on American Pharoah’s phoals as they progress and go thru auctions and his phamily as it was fun to watch his full brother, St. Patrick’s Day, finish 3rd in his 3rd start on Thursday.  I am hoping for some more summer racing from St. Patrick’s Day.  This lightly raced 3 year old finished 2nd at Del Mar last Fall before breaking his maiden in his next start, a month later, at the same track.  He made his 2018 debut at Curragh in the listed Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Celebration Stakes last week.  I’d love to see him ship back to America to romp in our races this summer.

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Ascot Aftermath

Lady Aurelia at Keeneland this past Spring raced at Royal Ascot for a third time.
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Bound for Nowhere races regularly at Keeneland. He finished third in the Grade 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Bound for Nowhere races regularly at Keeneland. He finished third in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

All good things must come to an end.  The 5 days of racing at Royal Ascot concluded today.  There were several contenders representing America and with a scattering of races that provide a berth into the Breeders’ Cup we will see many of these Thoroughbreds compete in champion races again.  Now that the races are over, let’s see the results in the aftermath of the Ascot.

Chelsea Cloisters, pictured at Keeneland, was a contender in the Queen Mary Stakes.
Chelsea Cloisters, pictured at Keeneland, was a contender in the Queen Mary Stakes.

Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, Berkshire, England opened for live racing in 1711.  The racecourse was founded by Queen Anne of the British Royal Family.  The Royals still attend and enter contenders annually.  In the same year of the racecourse’s inauguration, Queen Anne also initiated Royal Ascot, the 5 day highlight of British racing’s calendar year.  In 2018, the races were held Tuesday, June 18th thru Saturday 6/23.  18 Grouped (the British version of Graded) Stakes took place.  8 races were Group One.  The purse was over 7.3 million pounds (more than 9.6 million in U.S dollars).  The event is very ritzy, with the classiest of fashion.  4 races offered automatic berths into the 2018 Breeders’ Cup.

<strong>Lady Aurelia</strong> won the Giant's Causeway at Keeneland, she raced at Royal Ascot for a third time.
Lady Aurelia won the Giant’s Causeway at Keeneland, she raced at Royal Ascot for a third time.

Here is a listing of the 8 Group One stakes with the distance and the winner as well as another BC berth race:

  • The Queen Anne Stakes- 1 mile – Accidental Agent -berth into the BC Mile
  • The King’s Stand Stakes – 5 furlongs – Blue Point
  • The St. James’s Palace Stakes – 1 mile – Without Parole
  • The Prince of Wales’s Stakes -1 mile and 2 furlongs – Poet’s Word -berth into the BC Turf
  • The Norfolk Stakes (this is the only Group 2 on this list)-5 furlongs – Shang Shang Shang -berth into the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint
  • The Gold Cup -2 miles and 4 furlongs –Stradivarius
  • The Commonwealth Cup – 6 furlongs –Eqtidaar
  • The Coronation Stakes – 1 mile –Alpha Centauri
  • The Diamond Jubilee Stakes – 6 furlongs – Merchant Navy -berth into the BC Turf Sprint
Lady Aurelia at Keeneland this past Spring raced at Royal Ascot for a third time.
Lady Aurelia at Keeneland this past Spring raced at Royal Ascot for a third time.

Congratulations to all of the Royal Ascot winners and for the talented American racehorses that were worthy to attend.  Royal Ascot is on my bucket list.  I would love to experience the glamor and royalty of this 5 day racing event.  I hope you were pleased with the aftermath of the Ascot.  Keep following for more information on this summer’s top races and all things Thoroughbred.

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Basics of the Belmont

Free Drop Billy and Blended Citizen raced in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland!
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Free Drop Billy and Blended Citizen raced in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland!
Free Drop Billy and Blended Citizen raced in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland!

It seems like everyone has their own opinion on this year’s Belmont Stakes and I could not be happier to read and learn about all of the varied perspectives on this race.  There is a wealth of information available if you have the time or the interest.  For those craving a refresher or the simple facts ahead of this weekend’s race, here are the basics of the Belmont Stakes.

 

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Acknowledging the Acorn

Monomoy Girl before the Ashland Stakes!
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Monomoy Girl, winner of the Ashland Stakes!
Monomoy Girl, winner of the Ashland Stakes!

Change is inevitable.  Horse racing has its own trends.  However, some breaks with tradition seem stranger to me than others.  I am surprised that the Acorn Stakes is now described as the Belmont Stakes undercard.  Here are some big reasons why should be acknowledging the Acorn,  the third leg of the Filly Triple Crown, the first jewel of the Triple Tiara.

 

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To Honor and Serve

To Honor and Serve standing at Gainesway Farm in the Summer of 2016
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To Honor and Serve standing at Gainesway Farm in the Summer of 2016
To Honor and Serve standing at Gainesway Farm in the Summer of 2016

As Memorial Day weekend is upon us I am reflecting, being thankful and respectful of the people who died while serving our country, America.  I owe a lot to those who have honored and served our great country.  When I think of the sire, To Honor and Serve, I often think of our country’s heroes.  The name intrigues me as does the stallion.

 

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Should She Sweep the Susan? : Black-Eyed Susan Stakes

Opening Day at Pilmlico in Maryland preceding the 2018 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.
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Opening Day at Pilmlico in Maryland preceding the 2018 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.
Opening Day at Pilmlico in Maryland preceding the 2018 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.

It is almost time for the middle jewel of the Filly Triple Crown!  Now repeat this triple times, “Should She Sweep the Susan, Should She Sweep the Susan, Should She Sweep the Susan?”  That is a hard question to ask and a harder one to answer.  Who will sweep the Susan?  I have a few ideas about the fillies entered in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes.

 

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Discussing the Derby

Good Magic and Flameaway head for the finsh line in the Blue Grass Stakes!.
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Free Drop Billy romps early in the Blue Grass Stakes.
Free Drop Billy romps early in the Blue Grass Stakes.

What a long strange trip it’s been, this Road to the Kentucky Derby.  Thinking back to last September, how many times have we changed our minds, or might there be a few who had an inkling from foaling season?  I’ve had an fascinating but indecisive path myself however, I have finally come to some determinations.  This is what I know about the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby and I would love to share it with you.

 

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Outline for the Oaks

Monomoy Girl wins the Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland for Brad Cox and Florent Geroux!
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Kenny McPeek and Corey Lanerie had a nice finish with Eskimo Kisses in her second place finish in the Ashland Stakes!
Kenny McPeek and Corey Lanerie had a nice finish with Eskimo Kisses in second place in the Ashland Stakes!

Are you ready for my favorite fourteen filly face-off on Friday, the 4th?  I have a quick breakdown on the facts, fun, food, fashion, feelings and fortune that awaits in the 144th Kentucky Oaks.  Please, follow along with my easy outline for the Oaks.

 

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Last Lap in Arkansas Derby, Lexington Stakes too!

Good Magic finishes first over Flameaway, Free Drop Billy and Sporting Chance. There was a bit of interference and disqualification leading to the third and fourth place finishes.
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Photo taken as the 14 contenders in the 2018 Blue Grass Stakes approach the first pass over the finish line. 5 are still in the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Go Good Magic, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Blended Citizen and Sporting Chance!
Photo taken as the 14 contenders in the 2018 Blue Grass Stakes approach the first pass over the finish line. 5 are still on the top of the Kentucky Derby leaderboard. Go GoodMagic, Flameaway, Free Drop Billy, Blended Citizen and Sporting Chance!  Machismo will race again,  just 1 week later in the 2018 Arkansas Derby!

Happy Friday the 13th!  I am tickled to think of all the peculiar betting habits and quirks I will see among the superstitious gamblers and horsemen at Keeneland today!  Everyday is a good day at the track but tomorrow we will see the very last lap on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.  Saturday, 4/14/18 features the final two prep races, the Lexington Stakes and the Arkansas Derby.

 

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