By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Star Fortress in the Cardinal S. beneath the Twin Spires on Thanksgiving.
Graded Glory For Star Fortress
John Gunther and Eurowest Bloodstock Services' Star Fortress (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) won the GIII Cardinal S. on Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs (video). The daughter of G3 Sirenia S. third Lady Aquitaine (El Prado {Ire}), who was a 130,000gns Tattersalls December foal buy by Tanya Gunther and twice listed placed in England for trainer Ralph Beckett, was making her first start in America.
From the family of G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Roderic O'Connor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the great granddaughter of G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Durtal (Ire) (Lyphard) is a half-sister to G2 Gimcrack S. winner Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never) and two other stakes winners. Bred by Saraha Group, Eurowest and Sunderland Holdings, Star Fortress has a yearling half-sister by Bated Breath (GB).
Gilltown Stud resident Sea The Stars is responsible for 18 winners from 38 (47%) runners in North America. His septet of stakes winners (18%) in that jurisdiction are anchored by GII Fort Marcy S. winner and GI Manhattan S. runner-up Ottoman Fleet (GB).
STAR FORTRESS (IRE) ($14.68), under @luissaezpty, exploded down the lane, destroying the field in the $300,000 Cardinal Stakes (G3) at @ChurchillDowns for trainer @reredevaux! pic.twitter.com/37ucWDOxWN
— TVG (@TVG) November 23, 2023
Aqueduct Success For Cityscape Filly
Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Michael Kisber's Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}) won her first stakes in the Forever Together S. at Aqueduct last weekend for trainer Chad Brown (video).
Bred by Finanza Locale Consulting SRL, the chestnut failed to sell as a foal, but made €140,000 as a horse-of-racing-age last autumn at Arqana when picked up by Mandore International Agency for these connections after running second in the Listed Prix Saraca in nine French starts for Alain Jathiere and Gerard Augustin-Normand and trainer Maurizio Guarnieri. The half-sister to the stakes-placed Flers (Fr) (Dream Ahead) is out of Flag Day (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a daughter of influential matron and European champion Blue Duster (Danzig).
Selkirk horse Cityscape has two winners and stakes winners from three runners in the U.S. Chili Flag joins GII John C. Mabee S. heroine Avenue De France (Fr) in the latter category.
Make that FOUR wins for @iradortiz! CHILI FLAG takes him all the way in the Forever Together Stakes for Chad Brown! pic.twitter.com/kSF8Rom50Z
— NYRA (🗽) (@TheNYRA) November 19, 2023
Neon Lights Spins A Winning Tale At Del Mar
Profitable (Ire) gelding Neon Lights (Ire) graduated sprinting at Del Mar for Les Blake and trainer Steve Knapp last weekend (video).
The Ringfort Stud-bred bay, who made 10,000gns as a yearling and was a €25,000 buy-back at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Sale, made one start at Dundalk in January for Leidiana Marques and trainer Willie Browne before traveling to the U.S. for these new connections. The third foal and second winner for his winning dam Ponty Royale (Ire) (Royal Applause {GB}), Neon Lights's latest half-siblings are 2-year-old colt Invincible Royale (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), a yearling filly by Shaman (Ire) and a weanling colt by Nando Parrado (GB). This is the extended family of Group 3 winner Cold Case (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).
From just seven starters, Darley stallion Profitable has sired a trio of U.S. winners. Worldwide, nine of his progeny have won stakes, including a quartet of group stakes.
It was lights out for NEON LIGHTS (IRE) ($5.00) in @DelMarRacing race 3. Flavien Prat gave a perfect ride for trainer Steve Knapp.
The Pick 6 starts now at Del Mar! Get your ticket in on the @FDSportsbook: https://t.co/l04xHpQPmQ pic.twitter.com/Hqfi9RcWwS
— TVG (@TVG) November 18, 2023
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