'Pharoah' Foals Ready to Reign in November

When American Pharoah romped home in front in the 2015 GI Belmont S., becoming racing's first Triple Crown winner in 37 years, the son of Pioneerof the Nile not only cemented an immortal legacy, but ensured that his every ensuing move would be watched with unprecedented anticipation. Nearly five months later, all eyes were on the colt again as he made quick work of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland before being shuttled to Coolmore's Ashford Stud to begin his career as a stallion. Having bred his first mares in the spring of 2016, American Pharoah now nears his first significant benchmark at stud as his initial crop of foals readies to pass through the sales rings at next week's Fasig-Tipton November Sale and Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

With 28 American Pharoah weanlings cataloged between the two sales, there is no shortage of quality available in a sea of classy pedigrees. With that in mind, Dermot Ryan, Manager at Ashford Stud, said he is confident that the weanlings being offered possess attributes that live up to their sire's lofty name.

“It seems that just about everything to do with American Pharoah comes with that added level of anticipation and excitement, so I'm sure their debut in the sales ring will be no different,” Ryan said. “We heard a lot of good reports on the American Pharoah foals through the spring, and as a whole, they seem to have inherited his exceptional walk and temperament. It looks like there will only be 20 or so offered in November, so it's just a small glimpse of what is to come, and no doubt all eyes will be on them.”

At Monday's Fasig-Tipton sale, Eaton Sales will offer Hip 46, a half-sister to GISW Bodemeister (Empire Maker)–the sire of this year's GI Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming. With an exceptional pedigree punctuated by big-name racehorses, the Ashford-foaled daughter of GSW and GISP Untouched Talent (Storm Cat) figures to attract a wealth of attention from potential end users.

“The Untouched Talent filly is a very unique offering,” Ryan said. “With the pedigree she has, she's one of those collector's items that might never see an auction ring again in her life. She's a very well made, quality foal with great strength and a nice way of going. As one of the first American Pharoah foals to be born, it's quite fitting that she will also be one of the first to sell. We're very excited to see what she can achieve.”

American Pharoah's presence at the Fasig sale is bolstered by the presence of a pair of strong offerings from the Hunter Valley consignment of Adrian Regan and Fergus Galvin. Hip 30 is a daughter of the stakes-placed Cozzene mare Sheraton Park– herself a half-sister to GIII Old Hat S. winner and GI Frizette S. third Gemswick Park (Speightstown)–while Hip 68 is the second foal out of stakes winner Flattermewithroses (Flatter). The mare's Uncle Mo colt of 2016 sold for $380,000 at last year's November Sale.

“Both American Pharoahs at Fasig are very good individuals,” Regan said. “I'm very happy with them–they seem to be athletic, well-balanced horses with great minds.”

Beginning next Tuesday, the quality of mares paired with American Pharoah in his first year will be on full display at Keeneland's November Sale. In addition to foals out of Grade I winners Cat Moves (Tale of the Cat) (Hip 32), Joyful Victory (Tapit) (Hip 73), Life At Ten (Malibu Moon) (Hip 82) and Ariege (Doneraile Court) (Hip 399), the sale will also see half-siblings to 2012 champion 3-year-old colt I'll Have Another (Flower Alley) (Hip 193), G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. winner Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) (Hip 283) and 2013 GI Breeders' Cup Classic hero Mucho Macho Man (Macho Uno) (Hip 301) pass through the ring.

Hunter Valley has two strong offerings of their own in Hip 54, a son of Grade I winner Harmony Lodge (Hennessy) from the family of MGSW Graeme Hall (Dehere), and Hip 69, a daughter of MGSP Jemima's Pearl (Distorted Humor).

“That's possibly the tip of the iceberg,” Regan said when asked to place Hunter Valley's Keeneland November offerings in the context of American Pharoah's first two crops. “I wouldn't say he was lacking in quality of mares at all…Without having a crystal ball, I'd expect them both to sell really well.”

Ryan observed that American Pharoah's career at stud has followed an organic path, with his superstardom on the racetrack fueling enthusiasm for his new role as a stallion, and the apparent strength of his offspring in turn giving breeders added confidence to send him more accomplished mares in the coming years.

“We've been very happy with American Pharoah's first couple of years at stud,” Ryan said. “There was obviously a lot of fanfare flowing over from the racetrack in his first year and he actually bred slightly more mares in his second year on the strength of his first crop of foals, so it was very heartening to see all that repeat business. He's been supported with books of exceptional mares in his first two seasons and I would expect that to have a positive flow on effect. Anyone breeding to him in 2018 is going to benefit from two big, very well-bred crops due to hit the racetrack in the coming years.”

Regan concurred, noting that the Hunter Valley team has been enamored with American Pharoah since visiting him following his retirement. Likewise, the consignor said that the Triple Crown winner's first foals to hit the ground have made a decidedly favorable impression.

“I was dying to see him when we went over to Ashford,” Regan said. “We were at Keeneland for the Breeders' Cup [in 2015]. But getting to see him without the tack on, I'll never forget going over there. You were expecting a nice horse, but after seeing him, you go, 'Wow.' I loved him…I [recently] told somebody at the sales that [the foals] seem to all have a great mind, very classy. So far, they're showing all of their father's qualities. From the ones we've seen so far, I have not seen a disappointing one yet.”

As the industry turns its attention to Lexington following the conclusion of this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, it is only fitting that American Pharoah's first foals will hit the ring just over two years after their sire capped his brilliant career with a victory at Keeneland.

According to Ryan, there is little doubt that the words “American Pharoah” will command attention when announced in the sales pavilion.

“We were waiting 37 years for him to come along, so you would have to think there will be some fireworks when they sell,” Ryan said. “The opportunity to raise your hand and bid on the offspring of a Triple Crown winner is something a lot of people have never had the chance to experience, so I don't think the significance of that will be lost on anybody.”