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 Special Wan at Kentucky Downs on Saturday.
Team Valor Filly Strikes In Kentucky
Team Valor International and Steven Rocco's Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) was first past the post in a Kentucky Downs contest in her U.S. debut on Sept. 7 (video) for trainer Patrick Foley.
Bred by Kilnamoragh Stud, the G3 Ballycorus Stakes second and G3 Brownstown Stakes third was a £225,000 Goffs QIPCO Ascot Champions Day buy-back last autumn. The third foal and one of four winners out of Fast Jazz (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}), Special Wan is a half-sister to stakes horses Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) and Over The Blues (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). She made her first three starts in the colours of John Browne, with her current connections purchasing her privately after her second in a Naas listed race in May. Second dam Slow Jazz (Chief's Crown), a winner of the Listed Prix Petite Etoile, is a half-sister to the influential Blue Duster (Danzig), a champion in Europe at two, and successful in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes prior to becoming the ancestress of no less than eight stakes winners.
Bearstone Stud's Belardo, who stood for £5,500 this year, has sired eight winners from nine American runners (89%). Grade I winner Gold Phoenix (Ire) and Bellabel (Ire), who won the GII San Clemente Stakes and GIII Megahertz Stakes.
Win Sweet For Caroline At Kentucky Downs
Last year's G3 Blue Wind Stakes heroine Caroline Street (No Nay Never) returned a winner at Kentucky Downs in the colours of Fergus Galvin and Marc Detampel (video). Trained by Brendan Walsh, she was bred by Grantley Acres, Ryan Conner and Ron Davidson.
The Kentucky-bred, a $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling, made eight starts for Joseph O'Brien, with her Blue Wind tally the best of them. Part of a four-strong brood out of G3 Gallinule Stakes third Harvestfortheworld (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}), Caroline Street hails from the extended family of G1 Phoenix Stakes heroine Pharaoh's Delight (Fairy King).
Coolmore's No Nay Never has been represented by 53 U.S. winners from 96 runners (54%). GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Meditate (Ire) is one of nine stakes winners in that jurisdiction for her sire, a son of Scat Daddy.
No Nay Never Filly Wins At Second Asking
Bal Mar Equine's Unhidden Gem (Ire) (No Nay Never), sixth when unveiled at Saratoga last month, triumphed at Kentucky Downs for Albert Stall, Jr. on Wednesday (video).
Barronstown Stud bred the dark bay daughter of Gems (GB) (Haafhd {GB}) who brought 250,000gns from SackvilleDonald out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A half-sister to G3 Prix Miesque second Seaella (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) and a full-sister to G2 Superlative Stakes winner Mystery Power (Ire), juvenile filly Bijou (Ire) and a weanling colt, Unhidden Gem is kin to four-time Italian Group 1 winner and sire Alhijaz (GB) (Midyan).
Other stakes winners by No Nay Never in America include GIII Palm Beach Stakes hero Vitalogy (GB), and the accomplished No Nay Mets (Ire).
Roaring Lion Filly A Queen At Kentucky Downs
Qatar Racing homebred Queen Regent (GB) (Roaring Lion), favoured in her American debut, won at Kentucky Downs for Brendan Walsh on Thursday (video).
The 12th foal produced by Common Knowledge (GB) (Rainbow Quest), the grey made her first eight starts in the land of her birth for John and Thady Gosden, which resulted in a win at Newcastle on the all-weather, and second-place finishes in a trio of all-weather handicaps prior to this win. She is a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Astrophysical Jet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), G3 Weld Park Stakes heroine Coral Wave (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), and G3 Derrinstown Stud Fillies Stakes winner and G1 Prix Rothschild placegetter Know It All (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}). Second dam Highbrow (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}) is a half-sister to blue hen and champion Height Of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino {GB}).
The late Roaring Lion sired just one crop at Tweenhills Stud in Britain, before passing away before covering a single mare at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand. Queen Regent is his first winner from four runners in the U.S. (25%). Worldwide, he has six stakes winners, with the cornerstone Group 1 winner and first-season sire Dubai Mile (Ire).
Sky Wins Again In So-Cal
Sorrento Sky (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) captured a Del Mar affair on Sept. 8 for trainer Phil D'Amato (video). Raced by Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Saul Gevertz, Marc Lantzman and Michael Nentwig, the 3-year-old colt was winning for the second time in seven starts.
The flying turf finishes are just as spectacular from the drone view! Check out SORRENTO SKY (IRE) ($13.60), under @Antonio1Fresu, zipping through an opening to beat older horses in @DelMarRacing race 7. @PhilDamato11 conditioned the colt.
Late Pick 4: https://t.co/CDoj9VG9iY pic.twitter.com/ElRBTeq0R1
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 8, 2024
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