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 Skims in a Belmont affair.
Frankel Filly Strikes In New York
Last autumn's GII Sands Point S. heroine Skims (GB) (Frankel {GB}) ran out an easy winner in New York for breeder Andrew Rosen and trainer Shug McGaughey earlier this month (video).
Now with four victories to her name, the $235,000 Keeneland September buy-back is the seventh foal out of Royal Decree (Street Cry {Ire}), and she is a half-sister to G2 Vintage S. hero War Decree (War Front) and the stakes-placed Noble Quality (Elusive Quality). Her second dam is the GI American Oaks Invitational and GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. heroine Ticker Tape (Royal Applause {GB}). This is also the family of crack sprinter Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), who won the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, and G1 Prix Morny winner Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate).
No sire in the world is having a better few days than Juddmonte's Frankel, who fired in three Group 1 winners at Royal Ascot. However, his American record is also nothing to sneeze at, with 25 winners from 43 runners (58%). His 10 stakes winners there (23%) are anchored by GI Belmont Oaks heroine McKulick (GB).
#5 Skims pushes her way through horses to win R5 at Belmont under @ljlmvel for trainer Shug McGaughey!🏆
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/CfCH3HkxwW
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) June 16, 2023
Masseto Returns A Winner After Long Break
J. Stable LLC's Masseto (GB) (Territories {Ire}) won a Woodbine affair just over a year after his last winning effort at that venue last Thursday for trainer Mark Casse (video).
Bred by Ciaran Paterson, the 62,000gns Tattersalls December foal was sold for 65,000gns out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Owned by J Carthy for his first two starts, the former Donnacha O'Brien trainee was placed twice at group level in Ireland.
The third foal out of the winning Never Change (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), the 4-year-old colt is from the same family as G2 Great Voltigeur S. hero Sacrament (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}), who was a son of the stakes winner Blessed Event (Ire) (Kings Lake), herself second in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks.
Darley stallion Territories has now sired two winners from five runners in the U.S. (40%). His best is the GIII Beaugay S. heroine Rougir (Fr), who also won Woodbine's GI E. P. Taylor S. in Canada.
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