By Heather Anderson
In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Royalty Interest in Central Florida.
Le Havre Fave Gets The Job Done
Klaravich Stables' Royalty Interest (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) scored the second win of her career at Tampa Bay this past weekend (video).
Bred by China Horse Club International, the bay sold for €50,000 to Seth Klarman's operation during the 2021 Arqana October Yearling Sale. The fourth foal out of stakes winner Dusky Queen (Ire) (Shamardal), Royalty Interest is one of four winners from seven foals for her dam. She is a half-sister to the stakes-placed winning Nizaaka (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) and a full-sister to fellow stakes-placed winner Un Instant (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). Dusky Queen, a half-sister to the multiple graded/group-placed Achnaha (Ire) (Haatef), has a 2-year-old gelding by Siyouni (Fr) and a yearling colt by New Bay (GB) still to race.
The late Le Havre has been represented by 21 runners in America. Eleven (52%) have won, with GI Turf Mile S. winner Suedois (Fr), multiple graded winner Rymska (Fr) and GIII Red Carpet H. heroine Orglandes (Fr) his three stakes winners (14%) in that jurisdiction. The latter pair were also trained by Brown.
No. 4 Royalty Interest, a French-bred 4-year-old filly, withstands a determined challenge from Damaso to win the fifth race. Antonio Gallardo rode the winner, who is owned by Klaravich Stables and trained by Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/LSSdsUbbtA
— Tampa Bay Downs Official Account (@TampaBayDownsFL) March 16, 2024
Zoustar Colt Races To Santa Anita Win
King Of Gosford (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) added an American win to his ledger at Santa Anita recently for trainer Phil D'Amato (video). The colt is owned by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig and Jeremy Peskoff.
Bred by The Miss Sugars Partnership, King Of Gosford was a 32,000gns Tattersalls October Book 3 yearling, and made six starts for trainer Andy Oliver and owner N W T Dalzell. He won a Dundalk handicap in his first try over the all-weather in October, and ran third on his final Irish start there later that month before being acquired privately by these connections. His dam, Miss Sugars (GB) (Habour Watch {Ire}), won the Listed Blue Northern S. at Santa Anita. King Of Gosford, who is her second foal, is followed by a 2-year-old colt and a yearling filly, both by G1 2000 Guineas winner Kameko. Third dam Hoh Dear (Ire) (Sri Pekan) won the GIII Natalma S., and two of her grandchildren won Grade I stakes in North America–Wigmore Hall (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Ocean Road (Ire) (Australia {GB}).
Five of Zoustar's 10 Northern American runners have won (50%), with the best of these being GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint third Starlust (GB).
Alimara Graduates At Tampa Bay Downs
First Row Partners' Alimara (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}) closed to win over the Tampa Bay turf earlier this month for trainer Chad Brown (video).
Bred by Appapays Racing Club, the grey was unsold at €55,000 as an Arqana October yearling in 2022. She was second in both of her French starts last year at two–at Lyon Parilly on the grass in October, and later that month switched to the Chantilly all-weather in the colours of Sandro Gianella for trainer Henri-Alex Pantall. The half-sister to the German stakes heroine Amellata (Fr) (Pomellato {Ger}) has a juvenile full-sister named Arizza (Fr) to come. Her unraced dam Arctica (Ger) (Iffraaj {GB}) is a daughter of Artica (Ger) (Pentire {GB}), who won at listed level in her native land, and also threw a trio of black-type horses, the best of which was G3 Silberne Peitsche winner Artistica (Ger) (Areion {Ger}).
Haras du Petit Tellier's The Grey Gatsby sports a 75% strike rate in the U.S., with three of his four runners having saluted the judge. His Mylady (Ger) won the GIII The Very One S. at Gulfstream Park, and Atomic Blonde (Ger) was third in a brace of Grade IIIs.
Dilger Puts His Name In Lights
Mike Ryan's Dilger (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) won at Gulfstream Park for conditioner Saffie Joseph, Jr. in mid-March (video).
A product of the Demers Bloodstock breeding programme, the son of Post Perfection (Majesticperfection) is the second foal and first winner for his dam, while he also has a yearling half-sister by Essential Quality. His dam was covered by Nyquist last year. He is from the family of GII Nassau County Breeders' Cup S. winner and GI Acorn S. runner-up Hello Liberty (Forest Camp), as well as multiple graded winner Cairo Memories (Cairo Prince), herself placed twice at the highest level, as well as GI Blue Grass S. hero and young sire Zandon (Upstart).
Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega is the sire of 41 winners in the U.S. from 76 runners (54%). His three Grade I winners, Newspaperofrecord (Ire), Program Trading (GB), and Aunt Pearl (Ire), anchor his eight total stakes winners there (10.5%).
#3 DILGER ($21.80) keeps his nose in front to break his maiden in the opener at Gulfstream Park. @Tyler_Gaff piloted this three-year-old colt for trainer @SaffieJosephJr. Nice pick, @bernier_matt! 👏 pic.twitter.com/SWb2qYoMHc
— TVG (@TVG) March 16, 2024
Repeat Winner
E Five Racing Thoroughbreds' I'maboutago (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) was back in the spotlight with a 3 1/4-length win at Fair Grounds (video). The Ennistown Stud-bred is now two-for-two after taking a Gulfstream maiden last December.
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