Making Waves: Exosphere's Easter Sets Holiday Tone

   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 Easter in the Seabiscuit H. at Del Mar on Saturday.

Easter Came Early At Del Mar

Madaket Stables' Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}) secured his first graded victory in the GII Seabiscuit H. at Del Mar last weekend (video). It was trainer Phil D'Amato's fifth victory in the race in the past nine years.

Bred by Aleyrion Bloodstock, Ltd., the gelding won two of his first three starts in his native land for Samantha Amar and trainer Fabrice Chappet. Madaket's Sol Kumin, among others, bought into the horse prior to his fourth start, and he was eventually stakes-placed in France. He sold for €150,000 during the 2021 Arqana Arc Sale to Mandore International Agency on behalf of his current connections.

Already a winner of the Lure S. in the U.S., Easter is a half-brother to the G3 Prix Miesque heroine Sweety Dream (Fr) (Dream Ahead), and the listed-placed Roccia Nera (Fr) (Dream Ahead). Dam Excellent Girl (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), who was third in the G3 Prix Cleopatre, has since produced a weanling full-sister to that duo. This is the family of GI Garden City Breeders' Cup S. heroine Luas Line (Ire) (Danehill).

Easter is the lone representative for his sire in America. Worldwide, the son of Lonhro (Aus) has eight stakes winners to his credit, including G2 Edward Manifold S. winner Thermosphere (Aus).

EASTER (FR) ($5.40), with @Antonio1Fresu on board, ran down stablemate Hong Kong Harry (IRE) in the $200,000 Seabiscuit Handicap (G2) at @DelMarRacing. @PhilDamato11 trained the top 3 finishers in the race! Congrats to the connections! pic.twitter.com/fQb6XvyGOY

— TVG (@TVG) November 25, 2023

Fourth Time's A Charm For Awtaad Gelding

One Of These Days (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Saints or Sinners and Sterling Stables, LLC, rewarded the patience of his connections with a maiden win at Del Mar for trainer Phil D'Amato on Sunday (video). He was making his second start in California.

The Manister House Stud-bred was a £20,000 yearling purchase out of the Goffs UK Premier and Silver Yearlings Sale by Peter and Ross Doyle. The gelding  was unplaced in a pair of Irish starts for trainer Willie Mullins in the colours of his wife Jackie, before finding his way to the U.S. Out of the winning mare Scealai Aonair (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the gelding is a half-brother to Thekingofmyheart (Ire) (Magna Grecia {Ire}), who was stakes-placed in Germany. His yearling half-brother by U S Navy Flag brought €25,000 from Paul Harley Bloodstock out of the Goffs Orby Book 2 yearling sale, while his dam also foaled a New Bay (GB) filly this year. Influential matron Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}) is his third dam.

From just four runners in the U.S., Awtaad boasts a 75% strike rate, as three have won. His Anisette (GB) has been successful in a pair of graded races, among them the GI Del Mar Oaks.