McStay Makes Hay In America – And Anisette Looks Another Stateside Star

In running out an impressive winner of the G2 San Clemente S. at Del Mar last weekend, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) capped a memorable few months for bloodstock agent Mark McStay, who helped source the filly privately on behalf of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. 

McStay had already been provided with one of his biggest kicks in racing this summer when Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), who he purchased on behalf of a host of American owners, landed the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot. 

Porta Fortuna could well be aimed at the Breeders' Cup later in the year while Anisette has Grade I targets more immediately. America has been a happy hunting ground for McStay, whose fingerprints are also all over high class Stateside performers Selenaia (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Papillo (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), and he's keen to soak in the strong run of form.

On his latest big-race winner, McStay commented, “I signed for Anisette as a yearling and she is a filly whose career I watched closely in Britain. When she won at Wolverhampton in December, I thought she was very eye-catching and it was myself and one other agent who were on her straight away. I sent her to Aron Wellman, who is a guy who makes his mind up pretty quickly, and he is very experienced and successful at what he does. 

Anisette (GB) & @umbyrispoli are absolutely stylish in the San Clemente Stakes. pic.twitter.com/HvjPBQZVjC

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) July 23, 2023

“Thankfully, we were on the same page with her and managed to get a deal done. From the moment she has gone out there, I have heard nothing but good reports and thankfully they have proved to be correct.”

McStay's good record across the Atlantic stems much further back than Anisette. Dubawi Heights, who was part-owned by his mother Clodagh, won twice at the highest level in California in 2011 and McStay has continued to make hay in the jurisdiction through his private purchases on behalf of various different clients.   

“Historically, I have had plenty of luck in America and that goes all the way back to Dubawi Heights (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was sent out there with Simon Callaghan, his father Neville, my mother [Clodagh] and MV Magnier,” McStay said. 

“She won two Grade Is out there in 2011 and Miss Keller (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who I bought as a yearling, was another filly who did very well out there and won the EP Taylor. I have had a lot of luck in America and I think finding a filly with the right outlook and attitude is key.”

On what he looks for in form horses when trying to fill orders for America, he continued, “Anisette is very genuine and is clearly very talented. Dubawi Heights had that same attitude and outlook and you need to find horses who are on an upward curve and look like they will progress. We don't have a crystal ball and it can be very hard to predict what will happen but, if you think there is more in the tank when you are buying them, that is always the question you need to be asking yourself when you are buying a form horse. 

“With Anisette, looking at her physically, there was always going to be plenty of progression. She's a beautiful-looking filly and was still quite unfurnished when we bought her. Leonard Powell has done a great job with her and has taken his time and Kevin was a star to deal with in brokering the deal as well. He's a great guy and is one of those young trainers who is very much on the up.”

Another handler who fits into that category is Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of the unbeaten Royal Ascot heroine Porta Fortuna. McStay acted quickly to snap up the filly on behalf of Medallion Racing, Dean Reeves, Barry Fowler and Steve Weston after she won her Curragh maiden and it has proved one of his shrewdest acquisitions. 

“That was huge,” McStay reflected. “Ascot is where all the big owners want to have winners and Porta Fortuna delivering for Medallion Racing, Dean Reeves, Barry Fowler and Steve Weston was massive. On a personal level, I have been going to Royal Ascot since I have been living in England and when I was working with Godolphin-which is 20 years ago-so, to have one that you have purchased on behalf of clients go and deliver on the big stage, it's huge. As an agent, it's the type of result you need to be getting. When people are spending good money you need to be getting those results.”

On future plans for the filly, McStay said, “She has loads of options which Donnacha will discuss with her owners. The Phoenix Stakes might be one and the Cheveley Park Stakes could be another. The owners are American and I think they would like to stretch her out in trip in time so maybe that might happen at the Breeders' Cup. She was so professional in the Albany and is a beautiful individual. She's got the size and scope and won't just be a two-year-old, with a bit of luck. Hopefully she has a big career in front of her.”

Papilo, bought privately on behalf of D J Stable LLC, Medallion Racing Et Al from Irish trainer Fozzy Stack to continue her career with Mark Casse, has already delivered the goods with a Grade 2 win at Keeneland back in April. The Saratoga Oaks could be next for the three-year-old, for which McStay plans to be in attendance prior to hot-footing it to Arqana for the August Sale. 

It was at that sale where Deauville Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), on course to contest one of the hottest King Georges in recent history at Ascot on Saturday, was sourced on behalf of the agent's major supporter Bon Ho back in 2020 for €200,000. McStay says he will be out to find the next classy performer in France next month but wouldn't be able to enjoy the run of success he is enjoying with the support of his family.

He explained, “Deauville Legend is a huge price [40-1] for the King George. I don't think it's a reflection on him but more the quality of the race. Mr Ho is based in Hong Kong and that is where this horse will finish his season. Deauville Legend had a long hard season last year and, with the Hong Kong International race meeting taking place in December, we weren't in any hurry to get him out this season. I think the lack of a run counted against him at Royal Ascot [when fourth in the Hardwicke] and I expect him to run a big race in the King George. Mr Ho has been a huge supporter of mine in recent years and is such an enthusiastic owner. I really appreciate the faith he's placed in me and he's got some very nice horses both in Europe and Australia-I hope he'll be rewarded by landing another one of these big International Group 1 races soon.

“The sale season is upon us and I'm looking forward to Arqana next month. It has been a lucky spot for us over the past few years so hopefully we might be able to unearth another nice horse or two from there. I go over there nice and early and provide my clients with an overview of the sale. With a smaller catalogue like Aqrana, it affords you the time to do that.”

He added, “A number of my clients are overseas, be it Hong Kong, Australia, America or Dubai, and with time differences etc, being able to send out lists and giving people the time to digest the information, that's a big plus. At the end of the day, most of these people are well-informed and want to be involved in the buying process so a sale like Arqana, where you have the extra bit of time, it's huge. 

“I can't wait for Arqana and am actually going to Saratoga beforehand. I did my diary with my wife Eva the other day for the next six months and, on a serious note, this job would not be possible without her support. I couldn't do the job that I do without Eva being behind me one hundred and ten per cent. Being an agent, or working in any capacity in this industry, the hours and the time that we give to it is far from nine to five. Having a family behind you that allows you to do your job well is crucial.”