TDN RISING STARS

November 5, 2023 - Churchill Downs, Race 2, Msw, USD $120,000, 1M

Mullion, c, 3, 2020 by Into Mischief

1st Dam: Brooch, by Empire Maker
2nd Dam: Daring Diva (GB), by Dansili (GB)
3rd Dam: Aspiring Diva, by Distant View

Owner: Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY)
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY)
Trainer: Brad H. Cox

Juddmonte homebred MULLION (c, 3, Into Mischief-Brooch, by Empire Maker) made a triumphant return to the races Sunday to graduate in 'Rising Star' style at Churchill Downs.

The full-brother to fellow 'Rising Star' and Juddmonte stallion Mandaloun raced just once as a juvenile but was denied the win by the slimmest of margins at Ellis Park last August. Un-raced since that start, Mullion got back on track for trainer Brad Cox with a tour de force over a over-matched Churchill field. Squeezed just slightly at the break, the son of Into Mischief never let early pacesetter Nyquick (Nyquist) get comfortable, pressing that rival through a quarter in :22.98 before taking command under his own power with a wide move around the turn. From there, it was only a matter of who would finish second as Mullion opened up at will to the line, building up a double-digit lead when all was said and done.

Brooch, no slouch herself as a dual group winner in Ireland, hit it out of the park when her second foal, Mandaloun, took wins in the GI TVG.com Haskell S. and came second in the GI Kentucky Derby only to be upgraded to first upon the disqualification of Medina Spirit (Protonico). The dam is a half to SW/MGSP Caponata (Selkirk) and to MGSP Raymonda (Lonhro {Aus}). A fourth generation homebred for Juddmonte, Mullion also traces back to highweight older mare and G1SW Emulous (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and to her daughter, MG1SP Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}). While Brooch was sadly lost last year, she still has 2-year-old War Front son and a yearling full-brother to both Mandaloun and Mullion to represent her. Mullion is the 41st 'TDN Rising Star' for leading sire Into Mischief.