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 Aussie Girl in Lexington.
Aussie Flair At Keeneland
Woodford Thoroughbreds' Aussie Girl (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) triumphed in her second American start for trainer Will Walden at Keeneland on Oct. 17 (video). Bred by Airlie Stud, the chestnut won the Listed Brigids Pastures Stakes and was placed in the G3 Ballyogan Stakes last year.
Sold for €35,000 by her breeder at Goffs Orby to De Burgh Equine and subsequent trainer James 'Fozzy' Stack, she made 14 starts for Peter Piller in Ireland, and also was placed in the Listed Yeomanstown Stud Stakes. Woodford picked her up for 380,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale in 2023. The last known foal of her dam, the winning Galileo (Ire) mare Ravissante (Ire), Aussie Girl counts stakes winner and multiple group-placed Stunning (Nureyev) as her granddam, while GI Vanity Invitational Handicap, GI Ashland Stakes, and GI Hollywood Oaks victress Gorgeous (Slew o'Gold) was her great granddam.
Coolmore's reverse shuttle stallion Starspangledbanner has accrued 15 winners from 28 runners (53%) in the U.S. Seven of them are stakes winners, with GI American Oaks heroine Rhea Moon (Ire) and GI Saratoga Derby victor State Of Rest (Ire) the best of the bunch.
(11) Aussie Girl (IRE) victorious in the eighth under @iradortiz! (4) Saffron Moon a close second, (5) Blissful takes third. pic.twitter.com/FiEmMsJKDO
— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) October 17, 2024
Wootton Bassett Filly Wins For Klaravich
Klaravich Stables' Catalyzed (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) graduated at fourth asking during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Oct. 17 (video). Trained by Chad Brown, the dark bay is the second foal out of French listed heroine Red Line (Fr) (Sageburg {Ire}).
Lisa Lemiere Dubois bred the €255,000 Arqana August yearling, who went to Oceanic Bloodstock. Her yearling half-brother by Galiway (GB) was purchased by MV Magnier and Charles Shanahan for €125,000 at the 2024 Arqana August Yearling Sale. This is the extended family of multiple stakes winner Red Cat (Storm Cat), who was third in the GIII Jenny Wiley Stakes, herself a half-sister to graded/group winners Lady Blessington (Fr) (Baillamont) and Lowell (General Holme).
Coolmore's Wootton Bassett is responsible for 18 winners from 37 runners (48%) in North America. Breeders' Cup winners Audarya (Fr) and Unquestionable (Fr) are two of his seven stakes winners in that jurisdiction, as is Tamahere (Fr), who won the GII Sands Point Stakes and was second in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes.
Repeat Winners:
Stephanie Seymour Brant's Opulent Restraint (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) won for the second time in three starts when taking the Chelsey Flower Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting (video). Trained by Chad Brown, she won by a nose over Rare Art (Munnings).
OPULENT RESTRAINT wins the Chelsey Flower Stakes in a close finish! Jockey Flavien Prat and trainer Chad Brown team up for another victory. pic.twitter.com/wDnmeyFZZ1
— NYRA (🌳) (@TheNYRA) October 20, 2024
Another stakes at that meeting, the Athenia Stakes, also went to a Making Waves alum in Child Of The Moon (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}) (video). The Chad Brown charge carries the colours of Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb and Louis Lazzinnaro LLC.
Graham Motion saddled The Grey Wizard (Ire) (Caravaggio) to win the John Forbes Memorial Stakes at Far Hills last week. The grey gelding races for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and the Estate of Albert Frassetto.
Trainer George Arnold's Just A Care (Ire) (Australia {GB}) first featured here after taking a Gulfstream maiden in February of 2023. The 4-year-old filly added a Keeneland contest for Ashbrook Farm, Matthew O'Connor, Upland Flats Racing and Amy Dunne on Oct. 18 (video).
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