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The chestnut filly Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) once again elevated the prestige of Argentine turf by claiming a commanding victory in a $130,000 allowance race at Keeneland, in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Her 4¼-length triumph over Poppy The Princess (Cairo Prince) not only confirmed her complete adaptation to American turf courses, but also extended the brilliant legacy of her trainer Ignacio Correas IV, who marked his 301st U.S. win with this race, more than two decades after settling in the country. Ayra Stark’s story is one of a filly who, without coming from a globally renowned pedigree, crossed borders and surfaces to succeed. In her native Argentina, the daughter of local stallion Cosmic Trigger, a sire of notable domestic success, won 4 out of 7 starts, all on the dirt track of Hipódromo Argentino de Palermo. That includes a dominant six-length win in the prestigious Ramón Biaus (G2), defeating the top fillies on dirt. From early on, her competitive spirit was evident: she won on debut, finished second in a G1 in just her third start, and ran fourth in two G2 races during Argentina’s graded stakes circuit before closing that phase with back-to-back allowance wins in Palermo. She was, without question, a filly with international projection. Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) wins an allowance at Keeneland. After her Group 2 win in Argentina, Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) was sold to Haymarket Farm and exported to the United States. There, under the patient care of Ignacio Correas IV, the chestnut filly adapted brilliantly. Correas discovered that American turf suited her perfectly, bringing out a more agile version of the filly—one whose closing kick is ideally suited for the more tactical pace scenarios typical of Northern Hemisphere racing. At Keeneland, facing a field of six other 3- and 4-year-old fillies, Ayra Stark once again proved herself to be a serious, professional racehorse. This win carried special weight, as it came during the final stretch of Ignacio Correas IV’s distinguished training career in North America. Since moving to the U.S. in 2001 and launching his own operation — IC Racing — “Nacho” Correas has become a respected and admired figure, particularly for his outstanding work with fillies. It’s no coincidence that the majority of his stars have been female: names like Dona Bruja (Storm Embrujado), Blue Prize (Pure Prize), Didia (Orpen), Le Da Vida (Gemologist), Nanda Dea (Fortify), Nanabush (Il Campione), and now Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) form a constellation that reflects both his training philosophy and long-term vision. In Argentina, Correas was always held in high regard, especially by top breeding farms. He trained for leading studs like El Turf, Abolengo, and his own family’s operation, Haras Las Ortigas, all known for their focus on developing high-quality fillies for future breeding. His methodical approach and long-term planning made him the preferred choice for breeders looking to build strong careers for their fillies before sending them to the breeding shed. With Ayra Stark’s win, Correas begins his farewell to the sport. News of his departure has spread quickly across the American racing world. After the Breeders’ Cup, he plans to return to his native Argentina, where his family, his partner Marina, and their dogs, who already began the journey back, await him. His return will close a career that spanned more than two decades and helped elevate the global standing of Argentine turf in the most competitive racing circuit in the world. In recent years, Ignacio Correas became something of an unofficial ambassador for South American talent. His method has followed a near-mathematical precision: import fillies with strong Southern Hemisphere campaigns, give them time to acclimate, and then gradually expose them to the competitive demands of North American racing. Time and again, this formula has proven successful, Ayra Stark being the latest example. Ignacio Correas IV after winning the Spinster Stakes (G1) with Blue Prize (Pure Prize) in 2018 First came Blue Prize (Pure Prize), the unforgettable Argentine mare who won the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1). Then followed Didia (Orpen), who became a multiple graded stakes winner, and later Le Da Vida (Gemologist), Nanda Dea (Fortify), Nanabush (Il Campione), and now Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger), all imported from the Southern Hemisphere with accomplished campaigns in their home countries, mainly Argentina and one from Chile. The pattern is clear, South American mares, with stamina, and a genetically solid foundation, enabling them to perform at a high level on the demanding North American circuits once they adapt to the rhythm and surfaces. Correas has known how to translate that genetic potential into results. His meticulous approach to training, emphasizing recovery, adaptation, and patience, contrasts with the speed-driven mindset of many U.S. programs. Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) emerged as the epitome of that philosophy: calm in waiting, decisive when attacking, and physically complete, responding effortlessly to the smooth handling of José Luis Ortiz. The race, contested over a mile and a half (2400 meters) on firm turf, brought together a field of seven fillies with solid regional form. From the break, Statement Made (Always Dreaming) took the lead, setting even fractions of 25 seconds every two furlongs (800 meters), while Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger), piloted by José Luis Ortiz, tracked in second, about two lengths off the pace. Behind them, Poppy The Princess (Cairo Prince) raced patiently in third. In the final turn, Ortiz began to nudge the chestnut forward, and she responded with a powerful stride. As Statement Made tried to hold her ground, Ayra Stark drew even effortlessly and, turning into the stretch, took command decisively. In the final 200 meters, Ortiz urged her only once with his left hand, the margin widened to 4¼ lengths, and he guided her comfortably to the wire. Poppy The Princess (Cairo Prince) finished a good second. The final time of 2:31.23 was solid for the class, confirming that Ayra Stark not only won, she dominated. The winner’s sire, Cosmic Trigger, is a genetic jewel of Argentine turf. A son of Lizard Island (by Danehill Dancer), he is a maternal half-brother to the legendary Candy Ride (Ride the Rails), one of the most influential stallions ever exported from the Southern Hemisphere. Like Candy Ride, Cosmic Trigger was bred and raised at the historic Haras Abolengo, owned by the Menditeguy family, where both shared the same dam — the great Candy Girl (Candy Stripes). Cosmic Trigger’s career was brief but brilliant, unbeaten in his only two starts over a mile at Palermo. A premature injury forced his retirement, cutting short what could have been an exceptional racing career, but his stud potential quickly became evident. Since 2016, he has stood at Haras Abolengo, where his famed brother was also born, and his results speak volumes. Out of 287 runners, 175 have won, an impressive 61% strike rate. Moreover, he has already produced six G1 winners, a remarkable figure for a domestically based stallion, placing him among the elite sires of South America. The nick between Cosmic Trigger and mares by Exchange Rate (Danzig) has proven especially successful: out of six foals, five are winners, including Ayra Stark, who reached graded-stakes level. The cross tends to produce fast, long-striding, and competitive offspring, traits that are clearly expressed in Correas’ mare. Ayra Stark’s female family also helps explain her quality. Her third dam, Dama Imperial (Mariache), was a top-class sprinter who carried the silks of Haras Vacación, winning five races, including the Lotería Nacional (G3) in 1994, a performance that secured her place among Argentina’s elite mares and later as a valuable broodmare. From that line descended Data (Roy), later exported to Japan, and through several generations emerged Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger), reaffirming the strength of her maternal line. That family, carefully cultivated by Haras Vacación, carries in its DNA the depth of Argentine breeding through Mariache (Dancing Moss), a line that the local breeding industry has skillfully preserved in its crosses with North American bloodlines. It is no coincidence that daughters of Cosmic Trigger out of such mares stand out for their consistency and Ayra Stark is, so far, the most illustrious representative of a lineage that promises to extend even further in the coming years. The cross between Cosmic Trigger and Exchange Rate mares has become a model worth studying. Statistically, among six foals registered from this combination, five have won, and Ayra Stark is the only graded winner. The success of this nick lies in genetic compatibility and the reinforcement of Danzig (Northern Dancer) 3Dx5S, which contributes stamina. In Ayra Stark, this manifests clearly: she is a long-bodied, well-balanced filly capable of handling different surfaces while sustaining her drive through the final stages, a crucial trait in demanding North American races. Keeneland, steeped in history, remains one of the great proving grounds of American racing, a place where many names are forged before rising to prominence on the East Coast or in the Breeders’ Cup circuit. The $130,000 purse for an allowance of this class is far from trivial; it attracts fillies in transition between lower-level divisions and stakes company, ensuring a strong field. Ayra Stark’s next target is likely a Grade 2 or Grade 3 race, though now under a new trainer’s care. The victory came under the ride of José Luis Ortiz, one of the most consistent and tactically astute jockeys in the U.S. Familiar with the South American style of racing, Ortiz guided Ayra Stark with the perfect balance of patience and determination. The result was a flawless performance, leaving the door open for the filly to soon appear in higher-level stakes, perhaps before the year’s end. Ayra Stark’s achievement weaves together two intertwined narratives, Ignacio Correas’ farewell and the international projection of Cosmic Trigger’s bloodline. Both symbolize the same principle: the capacity of Argentine racing to produce world-class quality. Like other great South American trainers, Correas mastered the art of interpreting each horse’s rhythm and translating it into results within the highly competitive North American system. His retirement, set for November 2025, after the Breeders’ Cup, marks the end of an era during which the Argentine flag flew proudly across the world’s greatest racetracks. For her part, Ayra Stark (Cosmic Trigger) embodies the promise of continuity, a filly bred and raised in Argentina, by a domestic stallion, descended from a consolidated family, and capable of winning decisively at Keeneland, the very heart of the Bluegrass. Her victory is more than just a statistic; it is a tribute to the collaborative effort of breeders, trainers, and professionals who, from the Southern Hemisphere, continue to nourish the pulse of a global industry. Ayra Stark’s triumph at Keeneland is far more than a line in the official race chart. It stands as a testament to a well-constructed campaign, sound genetic vision, and meticulous craftsmanship. It is also another link in the chain connecting Palermo to Keeneland, Argentine breeding farms to Kentucky pastures, and the passion of Southern breeders to the professionals who dare to cross borders.

The 41st Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1) over 2000 metres on turf distributed a purse of US $300,000. It was contested on Saturday, 18 October at Hipódromo da Gávea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under sustained rain, high humidity and a track that went from soft to heavy as the day progressed. This edition was decided in favour of Obataye (Courtier), a 5‑year‑old, ridden by João Moreira and trained by Antonio Oldoni for the colours of Haras Rio Iguassu, in a time of 1:58.59. The race kept the tactical line historically characteristic of the Latinoamericano, with a strong early pace from the start and reward for those who saved ground by the rail on a battered turf. The result extended Brazil’s number of wins in the event’s historical statistics to 12, the most among participating countries. The initial phase was held by Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), who assumed the lead with demanding fractions and kept at bay immediate challengers such as Gracie (Drosselmeyer) and Vundu (Suggestive Boy). Obataye (Courtier) was handled by Moreira in a second group, hugging the inner rail, between seventh and fifth depending on the segment, sheltered from the loose sand and the more heavily worn areas of the turf. On the backstretch, the leader found sustained pressure, while Vundu (Suggestive Boy) attempted a challenge, while Gracie (Drosselmeyer) and My Way (Mendelssohn) remained in contention. Obataye (Courtier) continued gaining positions on the inside without additional effort, awaiting the decisive point. Obataye (Courtier) winning the Latinoamericano (G1). Around the turn, Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) attempted to escape, Vundu (Suggestive Boy) began to fade, and Obataye (Courtier) moved efficiently into second lane entering the straight, then switched to middle lanes seeking better traction for the finish. At 150 metres from the post, Obataye (Courtier) caught and overtook the leader decisively. From the rear, Medjool (Constitution) advanced to capture second place in the final metres, and a tie for third ensued between Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) and My Way (Mendelssohn). The favourite Vundu (Suggestive Boy) did not find an answer after his bid on the turn and finished 11th, well behind, but kept sound and ready to now target the Pellegrini 2025. The tactical reading is clear: savings of metres along the rail, shifting to slightly firmer lanes in the final 300 m and a sustained change of pace were decisive in the winner’s performance. The victory of Obataye (Courtier) is part of a high‐level selective sequence, as he had just won the Matías Machline (G1) over 2000 m on the turf at Cidade Jardim, São Paulo, on 2 August, and in 2024 had captured the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1). With this Latinoamericano, his campaign stands at 17 starts: 9‑2‑2, including three G1 wins and six graded victories. The horse was bred by Haras Palmerini, and in addition to his successes at Gávea and Cidade Jardim he has added group wins at Tarumã, consolidating a profile of efficacy over 2000‑2400 m on different tracks and under varying footing conditions. In economic and wagering terms, the World Pool mutuel report reflected the market’s perception: Obataye (Courtier) paid $15.00 to win, $7.60 to place and $4.80 to show; Medjool (Constitution) returned $13.60 and $9.40; for the show payout: Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano) at $4.80 and My Way (Mendelssohn) at $5.60. These values confirm that the winner was not the most backed in the betting, whereas the favourite Vundu (Suggestive Boy) finished outside the first three, altering the payout structure in the trifecta and superfecta. At the local Gávea sport pool, Obataye paid $5.30 to win — three times less than the World Pool payout. The sectional pace line, with the lead held by Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), pressure from Vundu (Suggestive Boy), expectation around My Way (Mendelssohn) and the advancing inside move by Obataye (Courtier), correlates with the differential response to the state of the footing. On wet turf, with internal lanes initially less worn, Moreira’s strategy of keeping his mount close to the rail and then shifting to the middle lanes at the critical point maximised the effective metres covered/velocity ratio, reducing exposure to slips and avoiding weaker footing areas. This operational choice explains the effective surge in the final 300 m and the margin observed at the finish. Luis Felipe Pelanda and his father Paulo Pelanda with their winner and João Moreira. João Moreira’s ride was a high-impact factor. Obataye broke cleanly, and Moreira positioned him without needing to fight for position, calmly controlled the tempo of the field, assessed the condition of the course, and timed his attack perfectly when guiding the horse off the rail into less waterlogged lanes. The jockey’s post-race statement—“Nothing could be more special for me than winning this race in front of the Gávea grandstand, for the people of Rio de Janeiro”—was consistent with the emotional context of a local victory in a historic Southern Hemisphere event and with the objective fact that this was one of the few major races missing from his international résumé. From the training perspective, Antonio Oldoni confirmed with this result a work philosophy based on stamina development, adaptability to different racetracks, and race-specific tactical strategies. Obataye (Courtier) has shown consistency at both Gávea and Cidade Jardim over classic distances, executing performances that blend cruising pace with sustained finishes. The campaign management, which targeted the most prestigious races in the Brazilian calendar, is fully validated by the G1 sequence achieved in the most recent competitive cycle. On the genetic front, Obataye (Courtier) presents several points of interest. He is one of four G1 winners sired by Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile), out of Soothing Touch (Touch Gold), a leading freshman sire in Brazil who has seven racing-age crops and a group of 19 black-type winners—approximately 7% of his starters—including 10 graded winners. On the dam’s side, Surfi’N USA (Crimson Tide) brings a highly efficient anchor, as she belongs to the {1-x} family of La Troienne (Teddy). The winner’s pedigree features a 4x4 duplication of Unbridled (through Empire Maker on Courtier’s sire line and Unbridled’s Song on the dam’s side) and a 5x5 duplication of Mr. Prospector, through third dams that are both daughters of Mr. Prospector: Coup de Génie on the sire side, from the prolific {2-d} family, and Hidden Garden on the dam side. These equivalent and inverted crossing patterns between Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector/Fappiano translate functionally into a balance between speed and stamina, a conformation suited for classic distances, and strong traction on soft surfaces—traits Obataye (Courtier) consistently displays. Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile) was bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, one of the world’s most prestigious breeding operations, and he hails from one of the most influential female lines in Thoroughbred history: the {2-d} family. This line descends directly from Almahmoud (Mahmoud), the foundation mare who gave rise to a dynasty that includes Natalma (Native Dancer), the dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic)—placing Courtier within the most significant genetic lineage of the 20th century. His third dam, Coup de Génie, was an exceptional G1 winner and full sister to Machiavellian (Mr. Prospector), another pillar of modern Thoroughbred breeding. In other words, Courtier is supported by a remarkably successful maternal family, a determining factor in the racing breed, where female-line consistency is key to transmitting quality. Sired by Pioneerof the Nile—best known as the sire of American Pharoah—and out of Soothing Touch (by Touch Gold), Courtier combines North American power with a classic, well-balanced genetic structure. Despite his elite origin, his arrival in Brazil did not initially generate major expectations, and during his first seasons at stud, he wasn’t viewed as a top-tier stallion by local breeders. However, results proved otherwise: Courtier has sired a series of outstanding runners, ranging from sprinters to long-distance horses with international potential. Among them are Dashing Court, a precocious colt who won the Turfe Gaúcho and G1 races over 1500 and 1600 meters at Cidade Jardim; Fast Jet Court, champion among the fillies of her generation with G1 victories in the João Cecilio Ferraz and Barão de Piracicaba; Ethereum, fifth in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano and named 2024/2025 “Horse of the Year”; and Obataye (Courtier) himself, winner of both the Grande Prêmio Brasil (G1) and the Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1). Also among his standout progeny is the sprinter Rihanna do Iguassú, who runs under the same silks, further consolidating Courtier’s profile as a versatile and consistently effective sire. Overall, his offspring have shown that, although initially underrated, Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile) has become a cornerstone of modern Brazilian breeding—capable of transmitting class, stamina, and physical balance, backed by a genetic heritage that traces directly to the roots of Thoroughbred excellence. At the national level, this was Brazil’s 12th win in the Gran Premio Latinoamericano, reinforcing its status as the most successful nation in the event. At the individual level, Obataye secured his third G1 win, adding to the GP Brasil (G1) and GP Matías Machline (G1), consolidating his status as a leading reference in turf racing over 2000–2400 meters in South America. In terms of connections, it represents a high-profile triumph for Haras Rio Iguassu and confirms Haras Palmerini’s role as a top-tier breeder on the continent’s elite calendar. The international context of the Latinoamericano remains active: since 2016, the winners have received invitations to Ascot (UK), with the possibility of entering a compatible G1 or the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at the Royal Ascot meeting, subject to planning, ratings, and logistics. On the regional rotation, the scheduled host for 2026 is Monterrico (Peru), maintaining the event’s tradition of rotating among South America’s top racing venues. Operationally, Obataye’s (Courtier) recovery following a demanding effort over heavy turf and the planning of future targets—including a potential international campaign—are short- and medium-term decisions for his team to evaluate. The next major event on the South American racing calendar will be the Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini (G1), scheduled for Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Hipódromo de San Isidro, Argentina. This race, the region’s most prestigious turf contest and one of the oldest on the continent, will once again bring together the top representatives from each country to compete over 2400 meters on grass, with a significant purse and a world-class competitive field. Next stop: Carlos Pellegrini, San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina Among the confirmed names, or those on the verge of confirmation, stand out Obataye (Courtier) himself and his runner-up Medjool (Constitution), whose connections have already expressed their intent to travel from Brazil and Chile, respectively, to compete on the great international day hosted by the Hipódromo de San Isidro. In Argentina, they will be welcomed by local representative Vundu (Suggestive Boy), who will seek redemption after a discreet performance in Rio de Janeiro, reappearing on his preferred surface and distance. From Peru, Stud Jet Set is preparing a multiple-horse delegation with the intention of not only participating in the Pellegrini but also in the other Group 1 events that make up the traditional International Day at San Isidro. Uruguay’s main card will be Master Of Puppets (Put It Back), who must first pass a test in the local Carlos Pellegrini (Listed) on Montevideo’s turf to confirm his participation in Argentina’s top event. The Jockey Club Argentino expects a technically high-level edition with broad continental representation, including international figures such as star jockey João Moreira, who will be one of the highlights of the day. Within this context, the 2025 Carlos Pellegrini is shaping up as a race of deep sporting significance, reaffirming its status as the Grand Prix of South America and the culminating event of the turf season in the Southern Hemisphere. The statistical summary of the day is rounded out by the final order of finish and the performances of some notable contenders. Medjool (Constitution) validated his strong late kick under adverse conditions to secure second place; Seiquevouteamar (Verrazano), a brave front-runner in a strong pace over a heavy track, managed to hold third place in a dead heat with My Way (Mendelssohn); Ethereum (Courtier) completed the field, advancing without threatening the leaders. Vundu (Suggestive Boy), the overwhelming favorite, confirmed that the energy expended on the turn cost him dearly in the home stretch. In summary, the precise tactical execution by the Obataye/Moreira duo, marked by ground-saving maneuvers, smart lane selection, and impeccable timing, was instrumental in securing the win. Second, the genetic and physical aptitude of the winner, ideally suited for classic distances and soft turf, aligns with his inbreeding profile and reflects the proven qualities of his sire, Courtier (Pioneerof the Nile). Third, Brazil’s continued dominance in the race’s historical record was reaffirmed with another commanding performance.

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – known simply as the Arc in racing circles – is the pinnacle of the European racing season. Since 1920, when it was inaugurated at Longchamp in tribute to French soldiers who fought in World War I, this 2400-meter contest has been held every first Sunday of October on Parisian turf. Its prestige is such that many breeders consider it the “race of champions,” where victory exponentially increases the value of a stallion or a broodmare. Numerous legends have etched their names into Arc history: Sea Bird, Alleged, Dancing Brave, Zarkava, and Enable, among others. The 2025 Arc carried additional anticipation: not only was it the 104th edition, but it also followed the recent passing of Aga Khan IV, whose iconic green and red silks were seeking a historic eighth win. Despite unstable weather, Longchamp was packed. The morning dawned humid with intermittent showers; during the undercard races, sunlight filtered through low clouds, but rain showers persisted, leading the course to be rated “soft.” A specialized report warned that the ground was soft and that more rain was expected on Friday and Saturday, though Sunday might dry out. This mix of sun and rain made for a tactically complex afternoon, with deep but not extreme turf. As a result, horses fanned out to the middle of the track in the stretch. Daryz (Sea The Stars) and Minnie Hauk (Frankel) in the Arc definiton. The 2025 edition assembled a field of 18 runners, headed by the undefeated Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who had swept the 1000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks, and Irish Oaks. Japanese contenders Byzantine Dream and Croix du Nord were also among the favorites. The script partially held: Coolmore’s filly tracked the early leaders Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) and Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black). Midway through the race, Minnie Hauk made her move and took the lead entering the final straight. It seemed she might emulate Enable by defeating males as a three-year-old filly. However, stalking her throughout was Daryz (Sea The Stars). The French colt, third choice in the betting at 12/1, traveled smoothly near the pace, biding his time while Minnie Hauk showed her cards. In the final 200 meters, jockey Mickaël Barzalona angled him wide and asked for acceleration. Daryz responded with a powerful surge, catching the favorite in the final fifty meters and edging past her by just a head, stopping the clock at 2:29.17. Behind them, Sosie (Siyouni) finished third, over five lengths back. The Japanese hopes faded: Byzantine Dream came in fifth, while Croix du Nord weakened sharply to finish 14th. The result reaffirmed the Arc’s status as a race where tactics and the ability to quicken on soft ground are decisive. The man behind the green and red silks, Karim al-Husaynī, Aga Khan IV, passed away on February 4, 2025, at the age of 88. He was the spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims and one of the most influential breeders of the 20th and 21st centuries. After succeeding his grandfather as Imam in 1957, he seriously considered leaving the family’s racing tradition, but after winning the French owners’ championship in his first season, he was “hooked” on the turf. His breeding philosophy combined passion and science. In a memorable interview, he compared Thoroughbred breeding to “a game of chess against nature”: every mating decision is a strategic move whose results are revealed years later on the track. He also cautioned newcomers that learning is a long journey and each breeder must define their own criteria, grounded in both genetics and economics. Over six decades, the Aga Khan built a network of stud farms in Ireland and France with about 200 broodmares. He did not hesitate to strengthen his bloodstock by acquiring the herds of legendary breeders: in 1977, he bought the mares of François Dupré, and in 1978, those of Marcel Boussac, including Darazina, ancestress of the family that would produce Darykana (Selkirk) and eventually Daryz. His program produced Classic winners like Shergar, Sinndar, Dalakhani, Zarkava, and more recently, the filly Ezeliya (Oaks 2024). With Daryz’s victory, the green and red silks claimed their eighth Arc de Triomphe. The list begins with Migoli in 1948 and Saint Crespin III in 1959 (under Aga Khan III and his son Prince Aly Khan), followed by Akiyda (1982), Sinndar (2000), Dalakhani (2003), Zarkava (2008), and now Daryz in 2025. This win holds symbolic weight: it is the first since the death of Aga Khan IV and affirms the continuity of his vision. It also breaks the tie with Juddmonte (Khalid Abdullah), both previously with seven Arc victories, placing the Aga Khan operation at the top of the all-time Arc leaderboard. Daryz (Sea The Stars) belongs to an “Arc dynasty.” His damsire is Cape Cross (Green Desert), but most notably, Sea The Stars is a son of Urban Sea (Miswaki), the 1993 Arc winner, who herself produced Daryz’s sire. These three consecutive generations—Urban Sea, Sea The Stars, and Daryz—have each won the Arc de Triomphe. Sea The Stars, European Horse of the Year in 2009, is a top sire with over 140 stakes winners, including Stradivarius and Baaeed. However, Daryz is his first Arc-winning offspring. Daryz’s success is also rooted in his female line. His dam Daryakana (Selkirk) was an exceptional filly: undefeated at three, she won the Prix de Royallieu (G2), and against older males, captured the 2009 Hong Kong Vase (G1), storming from the rear to defeat Spanish Moon by half a length. According to Equineline, she retired with 5 wins in 8 starts and earnings of $1,372,923. At stud, she has produced seven winners, including Dariyan (Shamardal), winner of the Prix Ganay (G1), Devamani (Dubawi), a G2 winner in the U.S., and now Daryz. The second dam, Daryaba (Night Shift), was also a champion, having won the Prix de Diane (G1) and Prix Vermeille (G1) in 1999, two of France’s top races. Daryaba produced other group winners like Darmasar and Daraybi. This family branch, cataloged as family 1-e, entered the Aga Khan Studs when he acquired Boussac’s mares, including Darazina. From this line, the Aga Khan has bred standouts like Darshaan (sire of Dalakhani) and Dariyan, showcasing the family’s enduring quality. Overall, Daryz’s pedigree blends the stamina and class of Sea The Stars, the finishing power of Daryakana, and the classic depth of Daryaba—an embodiment of the Aga Khan’s philosophy: merging strong sire lines with high-performance female families. The Irish filly Minnie Hauk (Frankel), trained by Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore and Juddmonte, entered the Arc undefeated after victories in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, and Yorkshire Oaks, emulating the path of the legendary Enable. At Longchamp, she seized the lead in the stretch but was caught late by Daryz, holding second place. With five wins in six starts, she is the standout three-year-old filly in Europe. Minnie Hauk is by Frankel (Galileo), the unbeaten champion who has become a leading sire in France and Ireland. Her dam is Multilingual (Dansili), a winless mare but full sister to Remote (Dansili) and half-sister to Kingman (Invincible Spirit). Multilingual has produced five runners, including Minnie Hauk and Tilsit (First Defence), winner of the Summer Mile Stakes (G2). Her second dam, Zenda (Zamindar), adds even more brilliance: she won the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (G1) in 2002 and was second in Keeneland’s Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1). Zenda is a half-sister to top sprinter Oasis Dream and dam of the sensational Kingman, an undefeated miler who captured the Irish 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes. This pedigree belongs to Juddmonte’s celebrated family 16. Its root traces back to the mare Bahamian (Mill Reef), a modest Oaks Trial winner at Lingfield, purchased by Prince Khalid Abdullah for 310,000 guineas in 1986. Bahamian, by Mill Reef out of Sorbus (Busted), produced, among others, multiple G1 winner Beat Hollow (Sadler’s Wells). Zenda and Minnie Hauk descend from this line, reflecting Juddmonte’s foresight in acquiring a seemingly modest mare with immense potential. Thus, Minnie Hauk embodies the blood of three Juddmonte pillars—Frankel, Dansili, and Zamindar—reinforced by the Bahamian family. Her exceptional finishing kick and domination over fillies explain her bold challenge against colts in the Arc. Daryz’s victory earned him an automatic berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar, as the Arc is part of the Win and You’re In series. Trainer Francis Graffard will consider whether to keep him in training at four. Should he continue, Daryz may aim for the elusive Arc–Turf double, a rare feat for Europeans due to the travel and short turnaround. Daryz (Sea The Stars) and Mikael Barzalona at the Longchamp post. Minnie Hauk, despite the loss, maintained her reputation as the best filly of her generation. She is likely to stay in training at four, with hopes of Arc redemption in 2026 and other major targets. Japan’s representatives will continue their pursuit of Arc glory, a dream still unfulfilled despite massive investment and high-caliber runners. The 2025 Arc de Triomphe will be remembered as a race of symbols and emotions. Paris’s fickle weather and the soft track added layers of tactical complexity. Mickaël Barzalona’s patient ride allowed Daryz (Sea The Stars) to reel in favorite Minnie Hauk (Frankel) and capture the race by a head. The victory paid tribute to the late Aga Khan IV, extended his operation’s Arc tally to eight, and reaffirmed the brilliance of his breeding vision. From a genetic standpoint, Daryz is the result of meticulous planning: he combines the paternal endurance of Sea The Stars, the class of Daryakana (Selkirk), and the foundational strength of Daryaba (Night Shift), all from the prolific 1‑e family. His triumph proves that great matriarchal lines can transmit excellence across generations to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Though defeated, Minnie Hauk confirmed the depth of Juddmonte’s legacy—her lineage from Frankel, Multilingual (Dansili), and Zenda (Zamindar), descendant of Bahamian (Mill Reef), exemplifies the genetic consistency sought by Prince Khalid Abdullah. The 2025 Arc crowned a new champion and delivered a masterclass in breeding, strategy, and legacy. Daryz’s win reminds us that in Thoroughbred racing, results are the fruit of decades of selection, investment, and passion—and that even under skies of rain and sun, the Sport of Kings continues to write stories worthy of legend.

The 2025 edition of the Zenyatta Stakes (G2), held at Santa Anita Park in late September, served as a demanding trial for the older filly and mare division in the United States. Returning from a six-month layoff, Cavalieri (Nyquist), the four-year-old filly trained by Bob Baffert and owned by Speedway Stables, reaffirmed her unbeaten status despite stumbling at the break, recording her fifth consecutive win. In addition to the $200,000 purse, the Zenyatta Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, offering the winner a guaranteed berth in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar in San Diego, California. The 2025 renewal of the Zenyatta was contested over 1 1/16 miles (1700 meters) on the dirt at Santa Anita. Cavalieri, making her return after a long hiatus, she had not raced since the Beholder Mile (G1) in March, broke awkwardly and lost several lengths at the start. Jockey Juan Hernández quickly settled her behind her stablemate Richi (Practical Joke) and the rest of the field, which included defending champion Sugar Fish (Accelerate) and Peruvian shipper La Kika (Badge of Silver). Cavalieri (Nyquist) in the finish line in the Zenyatta Stakes (G2) with ears pricked. Midway through the race, the tempo was controlled by Richi (Practical Joke), the Chilean mare who rose to prominence after victories in her home country’s Gran Premio Tanteo de Potrancas (G1) and Alberto Solari (G1), and who later became a multiple graded stakes winner in the U.S. Cavalieri gradually circled the field, displaying her signature long, sustained drive. In the stretch, Baffert’s pupil ranged up alongside Richi, took command with ease, and drew off by 1¼ lengths, stopping the clock in 1:42.64. Post-race commentary confirmed the dominant nature of the performance. Hernández noted, “She was nervous but settled nicely after the opening strides and showed her class.” Baffert emphasized the need for a strong prep after the long break and stated that the Zenyatta had served its purpose in getting her race-fit for Del Mar. Richi, piloted by Flavien Prat, finished a game second but could not match the finishing kick of the unbeaten winner. Sugar Fish (Accelerate) was a disappointing fourth, and La Kika (Badge of Silver) never found her rhythm, finishing last. Richi deserves her own spotlight, not just for her performance but for what she represents for Chilean breeding. A granddaughter of the outstanding miler Practical Joke (Into Mischief), Richi was crowned champion juvenile filly in Chile after winning the Tanteo de Potrancas and other selective events. Upon arriving in the U.S., she adapted quickly to Michael McCarthy’s barn and captured graded victories, including the Santa Maria Stakes (G2). Her runner-up finish in the Zenyatta, after setting the pace, validated her class and confirms her suitability for future intermediate-distance contests. However, she was simply no match for a powerhouse like Cavalieri. La Kika (Badge of Silver) made her North American debut here, following a successful career in South America where she had dominated several Group 1 events, including the Gran Premio Pamplona in June—earning a “Win and You’re In” berth for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Transferred to Doug O’Neill’s barn, she began working immediately, without a lengthy acclimatization period, which may have affected her dull showing. Off slowly and never a factor, she trailed home well beaten. Video of the Zenyatta Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park. More than a Grade 2 race, the Zenyatta Stakes functions as a gateway to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, one of the most prestigious races for dirt fillies and mares in North America. Beyond the monetary prize, the win grants free entry and travel expenses to compete for the $2 million purse in November. Formerly known as the Lady’s Secret Stakes until 2012, the race was renamed in honor of Zenyatta, who won it three years in a row. Notably, in 1993, 2002, 2009, and 2013, winners of this race went on to capture the Distaff—those champions being Hollywood Wildcat (Kris S.), Azeri (Jade Hunter), Zenyatta (Street Cry), and Beholder (Henny Hughes). In 2025, the Zenyatta showcased a wide regional spectrum: the American standout Cavalieri, Chilean heroine Richi, Peruvian star La Kika, and veteran Sugar Fish. Cavalieri’s dominant return, especially after more than six months away from the races, elevated her status further. Cavalieri’s victory further highlights the growing influence of Nyquist (Uncle Mo) as a sire and the stamina-rich maternal line of Stiffed (Stephen Got Even). South American interest also surged with Richi’s strong showing, affirming the quality of Chilean-breds on U.S. soil, whereas La Kika’s poor performance raised questions about the strength of the Pamplona “Win and You’re In” series at Monterrico Racecourse in Peru. With five wins from as many starts, including the La Cañada Stakes (G3), Beholder Mile (G1), and now the Zenyatta (G2), Cavalieri has emerged as one of the season’s brightest stars. Speedway Stables purchased her for $900,000 at the OBS April Sale of 2023, a price that now seems like a bargain, although her earnings to date stand at $438,000. Unbeaten, tactically versatile, and armed with a powerful turn of foot, she’s become a formidable presence in her division. At the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Cavalieri will face the very best, including champion Idiomatic (Curlin), the accomplished Nest (Curlin), and rising stars Nitrogen (Medaglia d’Oro) and Clicquot (Quality Road). Her most significant advantage: she will enter the Distaff undefeated, a rare occurrence for this race. In fact, no filly has entered the Distaff with a perfect record in recent years. Whether she can carry her dominance over to Del Mar, a different surface and level of competition, remains the key question. However, her commanding Zenyatta performance and the confidence from her team suggest she could follow in the footsteps of Zenyatta herself and win the Distaff without ever having lost a race. Born in 2013, Nyquist (Uncle Mo) was a brilliant racehorse, Champion 2-Year-Old Male in 2015, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Del Mar Futurity (G1), and FrontRunner Stakes (G1). At 3, he triumphed in the Florida Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1). His record stands at 8 wins from 11 starts, making him one of Uncle Mo’s most accomplished sons. Standing at Darley’s Jonabell Farm since 2017, his stud fee in 2025 has risen to $175,000, reflecting continued demand. Nyquist (Uncle Mo) posing for photographers at Jonabell, Darley, Lexington, Kentucky. From a genetic standpoint, Nyquist blends speed and stamina, with paternal lines through Indian Charlie and In Excess, and maternal ties to Forestry (Storm Cat) and Seeking the Gold (Mr. Prospector). Notably, his pedigree features a 5x5 duplication of Northern Dancer, a legendary breed-shaping influence, contributing to versatility and balance. Cavalieri’s dam, Stiffed, is a 2011 dark bay mare by Stephen Got Even (A.P. Indy) out of High Noon Nellie (Silver Deputy). On the track, she had 5 wins from 19 starts, including black-type victories and graded placings, amassing $256,559 in earnings. Her pedigree combines the stamina of A.P. Indy with the toughness of Silver Deputy. As a broodmare, she has produced other fillies, but Cavalieri is the standout. This mating—Nyquist x Stiffed—has proven particularly potent, mixing Uncle Mo’s precocity with the durability and mental fortitude of Stephen Got Even. Stiffed’s track record as a Listed winner and G3-placed mare suggests she passed down not only ability but a competitive mindset, traits clearly evident in her daughter. Cavalieri’s pedigree features rare inbreeding to Cox’s Ridge (Best Turn) via Stephen Got Even and Nyquist’s female line, reinforcing stamina and staying power. Additional influences include Mr. Prospector through Seeking the Gold and Silver Deputy. The A.P. Indy/Silver Deputy cross adds class, resilience, and a mental edge. For breeders at Coolmore or Darley, Cavalieri’s success supports the strategy of crossing Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) sons with mares descending from A.P. Indy, yielding a blend of speed and depth. Cavalieri’s consistent performances between 1 mile and 1 1/8 miles highlight the effectiveness of this cross. Post-racing, her broodmare value will be immense. She is a prime candidate for matings with sires that complement her stout maternal influences, making her a potential foundation mare. Cavalieri’s Zenyatta Stakes win not only preserved her perfect record but also solidified her status as a top contender for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Her ability to overcome adversity, including a bad start and a lengthy layoff, and her superiority over stakes-level rivals like Richi and defending champion Sugar Fish, proved her mettle. South American fans were encouraged by Richi’s brave effort and left wondering about La Kika’s disappointing debut. From a genetic standpoint, Cavalieri (Nyquist) is the product of a strategically engineered cross, with speed, class, and stamina harmoniously combined. Her Zenyatta win further validates the strength of the Uncle Mo/A.P. Indy dynamic in modern breeding. As the Breeders’ Cup Distaff approaches, the racing world will be watching closely. Should she maintain her unbeaten record, Cavalieri may join the ranks of legends like Zenyatta, becoming a global icon and a testament to the enduring power of elite bloodlines in the Thoroughbred world.

The world woke up to heartbreaking news for the global breeding industry: the death of Wootton Bassett (Ifraaj), Coolmore’s flagship stallion. At just 17 years old, the son of Ifraaj (Zafonic) died on September 23 while standing at Coolmore Australia. According to the official statement, during a routine day he suffered a choking episode that led to acute pneumonia. Despite the efforts of a veterinary team led by Dr. Nathan Slovis, he could not be saved. The loss of this leading European sire, with nearly £7.6 million in progeny earnings and 23 classic winners, not only interrupts a story of resilience but deprives Coolmore of a master card for crossing its best mares. Born on February 4, 2008, in England, Wootton Bassett was bred by Laundry Cottage Stud Farm out of Balladonia (Primo Dominie), a Listed-placed mare who won once. Balladonia descended from the American mare Susquehanna Days (Chief’s Crown), a branch tracing back to the influential Gliding By. His sire, Ifraaj (Zafonic), was a Darley sprinter who won the Lennox and Park Stakesm both G2 over 7f/1400m. The cross blended the Mr. Prospector line (through Gone West) with strains of Nureyev and Tom Rolfe, resulting in a colt free of Sadler’s Wells and Danehill—bloodlines found in most of Coolmore’s broodmares. Wootton Bassett (Ifraaj) in Coolmore, Ireland. The female line of Wootton Bassett traces back to the American matron Key Bridge (Princequillo). From her descend not only the recently deceased stallion, but also Papineau (Singspiel), winner of the 2004 Ascot Gold Cup, Silver Patriarch (Saddlers’ Hall), a multiple G1 winner, and Key To Content (Forli). This female line also had its impact in South America when it arrived in Brazil through Key To The Edge (Sharpen Up), exported from the United States in 1987 by Haras Santa Ana do Rio Grande. From this branch descend the G1 winners Janelle Monae (Agnes Gold), triple crown winner in Rio de Janeiro in 2021; Rizzolini (Roi Normand), winner of the Carioca Derby in 2001; the champion sprinter of 1994 and 1995, Mensageiro Alado (Ghadeer); the champion sprinter of 1993 Clausen Export (Spend A Buck); and Uncle Tom (First American), as well as the G2 winner Huber (Acteon Man). Returning to Wootton Bassett, in September 2009 he was presented at the Doncaster St. Leger Yearling Sale, where agent Bobby O’Ryan purchased him for £46,000 (equivalent to US$75,000) on behalf of Frank Brady & The Cosmic Cases partnership. He was sent to trainer Richard Fahey in Malton, Yorkshire. Under Fahey’s guidance and with jockey Paul Hanagan, Wootton Bassett completed an immaculate juvenile campaign: he debuted with a maiden victory at Ayr, Scotland, in June 2010, and followed up in a novice at Doncaster. He then triumphed in two lucrative sales races (the Premier Yearling Stakes and the Weatherbys Insurance £300,000) before stepping up to the elite level in France. On October 3, 2010, he capped his unbeaten two-year-old season with an emphatic victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (G1) at Longchamp, Paris. That performance earned him the title of French Champion Two-Year-Old Colt. His female line traces to the American matriarch Key Bridge (Princequillo). From her also descend Papineau (Singspiel), winner of the 2004 Ascot Gold Cup, Silver Patriarch (Saddler’s Hall), multiple G1 winner, and Key To Content (Forli). This female line also impacted South America when Key To The Edge (Sharpen Up) was exported from the U.S. to Brazil in 1987 by Haras Santa Ana do Rio Grande. From it descend G1 winners such as Janelle Monae (Agnes Gold), Rio de Janeiro’s Triple Crown winner in 2021, Rizzolini (Roi Normand), Derby Carioca winner in 2001, champion sprinter Mensageiro Alado (Ghadeer) in 1994 and 1995, champion sprinter Clausen Export (Spend A Buck) in 1993, Uncle Tom (First American), and G2 winner Huber (Acteon Man). Returning to Wootton Bassett, in September 2009 he was presented at the Doncaster St. Leger Yearling Sale, where agent Bobby O’Ryan acquired him for £46,000 (about $75,000) for the Frank Brady & The Cosmic Cases syndicate. He was sent to trainer Richard Fahey in Malton, Yorkshire. Under Fahey and with jockey Paul Hanagan, Wootton Bassett completed an immaculate juvenile campaign: he debuted winning a maiden at Ayr in June 2010, followed by a novice at Doncaster, then captured two lucrative sales races (Premier Yearling Stakes and Weatherbys Insurance £300,000) before stepping up to elite level in France. On October 3, 2010, he capped his unbeaten 2-year-old season with an emphatic victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (G1) at Longchamp, Paris. That performance earned him the title of French Champion Two-Year-Old. His 3-year-old season was tougher. He tried his luck against the top milers in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (G1), Prix du Jockey Club (G1), and other French features, but failed to place higher than fourth and went winless in four starts. His owners decided to retire him to stud at the end of 2011. In 2012, at just 4 years old, Wootton Bassett joined Haras d’Etreham in Normandy, with a service fee of €6,000. Despite some French breeders’ enthusiasm, initial response was lukewarm: 47 mares in his first season, 29 in the second. However, quality compensated for quantity. From his first crop of 23 foals came Almanzor (Wootton Bassett – Darkova), who would become European Champion Three-Year-Old of 2016, winning the Prix du Jockey Club, Irish Champion Stakes, and Champion Stakes, all G1s. Other notable early offspring included Patascoy (Muhtathir), Wootton (American Post), and Audarya (Wootton Bassett – Green Bananas), winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) in record time and the Prix Jean Romanet (G1) in 2020. Another precocious son, Wooded (Anabaa), won the Prix de l’Abbaye (G1) in 2020 and entered stud at Haras de Bouquetot. The success of these early runners skyrocketed Wootton Bassett’s reputation. His fee rose to €20,000 in 2017, then €40,000 in 2019, the year he topped France’s sire rankings. Breeders across Europe saw him as an upgrader, improving even modest mares. Nicolas de Chambure of Etreham praised his progeny as “consistent, mentally strong, and hardworking.” His pedigree, free of Sadler’s Wells and Danehill, made him an ideal outcross. This meteoric rise drew the attention of John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith of Coolmore. In August 2020, Coolmore announced his purchase in a multi-million-euro deal. Sales director David O’Loughlin described him as “a true classic sire” and emphasized the unique opportunity to mate him with the many Galileo mares in their broodmare band. Wootton Bassett (Ifraaj) in Coolmore, Ireland. These results catapulted Wootton Bassett to the top of the European sire standings, where he led by a margin of more than €2 million over the rest. In addition, his global record rose to 127 black-type performers (15.7% of his runners) and 50 group winners, 16 of them at the G1 level. By 2025 the number of stakes winners had climbed to 71, with 16 remaining at the very highest level. Wootton Bassett also began to stand out as a sire of sires. His son Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) joined Haras d’Etreham and has already produced the Prix de Diane winner Gezora (Almanzor x Silver Hauk); Wooded (Wootton Bassett), at Haras de Bouquetot, is the sire of Woodshauna (Wooded), winner of the Prix Jean Prat. In Europe, King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett) at Tally-Ho Stud and River Tiber (Wootton Bassett) at Haras de la Huderie also began their stallion careers. This range of sires ensures that Wootton Bassett’s line will remain alive in future generations, leaving a strong legacy, and undoubtedly one of the cracks seen on the track will eventually replace his father on Coolmore’s stallion roster at Fethard, Tipperary, Ireland. The pedigree of Wootton Bassett is an interesting blend of speed and stamina. His sire, Ifraaj (Zafonic), descends from the champion sprinter Zafonic (Gone West). His dam, Balladonia (Primo Dominie), brings influence from Dominion (Derring-Do) and the family of Chief’s Crown (Danzig). This combination places Wootton Bassett in the male line of Mr. Prospector and gives access to the blood of Nureyev and Ahonoora, while avoiding the saturated influences of Sadler’s Wells, Danehill, Green Desert, Montjeu, and Dubawi. David O’Loughlin emphasized that this made him an ideal outcross for mares carrying those lines. Coolmore’s studies show that Wootton Bassett works well with a wide variety of mares. In fact, his first 16 group winners came from 16 different broodmare sires, a rare index of versatility. Analysis of his stallion database reveals certain trends. One is the duplication of the Goody-Two-Shoes family. Looking at Pastorale (Nureyev), dam of Ifraaj, both sire and maternal grandsire trace to the {5-h} family. Experts recommend reinforcing that line with mares carrying Sadler’s Wells, Fairy King, or Nureyev. That is, although Wootton Bassett is free of Sadler’s Wells, he still contains his female line, where a possible Rasmussen Factor can easily be sought in the repetition of the matriarch of the {5-h} family, Special (Forli). The reinforcement of Mr. Prospector in Coolmore and European genetics was also key to Wootton Bassett’s success. In a European turf environment saturated with paternal lines from Northern Dancer, Wootton Bassett’s male line descends from Gone West (Mr. Prospector). He also responds positively to mares with additional doses of Mr. Prospector, as shown by his son The Black Album (Wootton Bassett), with inbreeding 3x3 to Zafonic (Gone West). Wootton Bassett (Ifraaj) parading his physique at Coolmore Ireland. Wootton Bassett transmits mental and physical consistency, declared Nicolas de Chambure, who highlighted that his progeny are “mentally strong, good workers, and do not disappoint their trainers.” Richard Fahey, who trained him and later followed the progress of his offspring, supported this by saying the stallion was “a gentleman, who listened and did everything except talk,” and that this docility was passed on to his descendants. Thanks to these virtues, Wootton Bassett became an upgrader, often said to “improve his mares” because he produced winners even with modest-quality mares, as demonstrated by his first crops, where 15 winners emerged from 23 foals. His success proved that pedigree quality and mental aptitude can compensate for smaller books. Although Wootton Bassett’s death occurred in Australia, the blow was felt especially strongly at Coolmore. Coolmore had announced that part of his Irish produce would travel annually to Ashford Stud, its American branch, to be sold at the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales. The stallion’s death means the loss of a strong revenue generator and the need to rely on his sons, such as King Of Steel or Camille Pissarro, to perpetuate the line and cover elite mares. The rise of Wootton Bassett from a £46,000 yearling to a €300,000 stallion fee is an inspiring example. A new sire line in Europe was necessary. Thanks to him, the influence of Mr. Prospector, through Gone West and Zafonic, regained prominence in European breeding, traditionally dominated by Sadler’s Wells and Danehill, and other male lines descending from Northern Dancer. Wootton Bassett showed that an outcross can produce champions and revive genetic diversity. He proved that quality can emerge from small books. His first crop of 23 foals produced Almanzor (Wootton Bassett), and in his first four crops, none larger than 50 foals, he sired Audarya, Wooded, and Patascoy, leaders of their generation in Europe, especially in France. This fact encouraged smaller breeders to trust emerging stallions. His first Coolmore crop broke records by producing 10 group winners among the two-year-olds, surpassing titans like Danehill (Danzig) and Galileo (Sadler’s Wells). This milestone opened the door to the possibility that a stallion unproven within the house could become a world leader. The investment in Wootton Bassett proved that it is worth betting on a stallion with proven results even if he comes from a “modest” stud. His purchase for several million euros and the subsequent multiplication of his value validated Coolmore’s strategy of diversifying its roster and ensuring alternatives to the omnipresent Galileo. The premature death of Wootton Bassett (Ifraaj) deprives the breeding world of an exceptional stallion. Bred in England and tested in France, he proved that humble origins can generate greatness. His unbeaten two-year-old campaign and his victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère opened the doors to stud duty, but it was his genetic consistency and his ability to improve mares that made him a phenomenon. At Haras d’Etreham he produced stars such as Almanzor, Audarya, and Wooded. At Coolmore he raised the bar with a flood of group winners, led by Camille Pissarro, Henri Matisse, and Whirl. His genetic traits, Mr. Prospector lineage, the absence of Sadler’s Wells and Danehill, Nureyev influence, and his maternal line, as well as his temperament, were key to his success. For Coolmore he represented an unmatched strategic resource, a stallion capable of refreshing the bloodlines of its mares and creating a new male line for the coming decades. His absence leaves a huge void, but his legacy will endure in his sons and grandsons. The story of Wootton Bassett proves that talent can emerge where least expected and that, in breeding, patience and vision are rewarded with genetic jewels that transform the landscape of bloodstock.

No Bien Ni Mal reinforced the reputation of South American racehorses in the United States by keeping his undefeated record intact in his second North American start, the Greenwood Cup Stakes (G3), held on September 20, 2025, at Parx Racing, Pennsylvania. The four-year-old Brazilian chestnut, bred by Haras Santa María de Araras in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, and raised at Haras Fronteira, is trained by Paulo Lobo for Mr. Ricardo Felizzola’s Stud Duplo Ouro. He covered the mile and a half in 2:31.23, decisively defeating Double Your Money by 1 ¾ lengths, leaving the rest of the field more than seven lengths behind. No Bien Ni Mal (Hofburg) with Joel Rosario dominating in Parx Racing. The race unfolded at a controlled pace. Guided this time by Joel Rosario, No Bien Ni Mal settled in third place behind favorite Digital Ops and Double Your Money, who set fractions of 25.13 for the opening quarter and 49.22 for the half-mile over a track producing fast times. When they approached the three-quarter pole (1:15.19), Rosario asked his mount to advance. On the final turn, Digital Ops began to weaken, Double Your Money took the lead, but No Bien Ni Mal launched his outside attack, drew level in the stretch, and effortlessly pulled away with authority. In the final strides, he widened his advantage without being fully extended, confirming the impression left by his previous victory at Saratoga. Lobo, securing his first win of the Parx season, noted the plan was to give the colt a progressive challenge: “His whole pedigree is stamina-oriented, and we’re thinking about the big races next year, even the Dubai World Cup.” This U.S. campaign continues what No Bien Ni Mal had already shown in his native Brazil. As a juvenile, he ranked among the best stayers in the country, with his major triumph being the Gran Premio Derby Paulista. In 2024, he debuted in Maroñas, Uruguay, delivering strong performances. Duplo Ouro Stables LLC, owned by Ricardo Felizzola, sent him to the United States at the end of January 2025, and his adaptation has been flawless: two races, two victories under the care of Paulo Lobo’s team at The Thoroughbred Center. No Bien Ni Mal is a son of Hofburg, a stallion imported to Brazil by Julio Bozano. Hofburg is by Tapit (Pulpit) out of Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), runner-up in the 2018 Belmont Stakes and third in the Florida Derby. He hails from the powerful {2-d} family descending from Natalma (Native Dancer), dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic). Since his first Brazilian crop, Hofburg has produced multiple group winners on dirt and turf, including Vitruvian, Nam Phrik, New Future, and the talented No Bien Ni Mal, who impressed in Maroñas before winning at Saratoga. His progeny typically excel on dirt, with names like No Bien Ni Mal, Nam Phrik, New Future, and Óbvio standing out, while others such as Vitruvian, Niver Ball, Navy Of War, and Osten have also performed well on turf. The dam of No Bien Ni Mal is Una Beleza (Signal Tap, by Fappiano), a dual G1 winner in São Paulo from the distinguished {9-h} family. His third dam is the legendary Griffe de Paris by Telescópico and out of April in Paris, by Locris, the champion mare of 1991 who captured the Gran Premio OSAF (G1) at Cidade Jardim, São Paulo, with a remarkable late rally. From Griffe de Paris descends a dynasty of champions: G1W Generaux, G1W Global Hunter, G1W Lady de Paris, G1W Ollagua, G1W Greta G, G1W Grezzo, G1W Lah Lah Lah, G1W Naturalizada, record-horse Open Bar, G2W Cerro Largo, G2W Bay Ovar, G2W Artejusta, among others. Una Beleza herself is a half-sister to Touriga (Put It Back), a G1 winner. The hallmark of this family is its ability to transmit stamina and finishing power—traits now evident in No Bien Ni Mal. Genetically, his pedigree features a duplication of Fappiano (Mr. Prospector) in 3x5, via Signal Tap and Unbridled (Tapit’s grandsire). This cross contributes both raw power and structural soundness. The Tapit/Pulpit line ensures deep stamina through Seattle Slew, while the Argentine influence of Telescópico on the female side injects speed. The result is an ideal mix for long dirt distances, as proven in the Greenwood Cup. With this victory, the Brazilian colt preserves a flawless U.S. record and opens a wide range of possibilities for winter and spring 2026. His trainer mentioned the Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs in late November as the next target, with the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March, prize pool worth $12 million, as the long-term goal. Lobo suggested to Felizzola that the horse thrives over a mile and a quarter or more, making such challenges well within reach. Felizzola’s operation, under the yellow and blue silks of Duplo Ouro, has been consolidating globally. Besides No Bien Ni Mal, his paternal brother Obstacle (Hofburg) recently broke a long-standing record at Maroñas and could ship to Lexington after the José Pedro Ramírez (G1) on January 6. Another of his horses, Sparco (Verrazano), just finished second in a Latino qualifier at Gávea in Rio de Janeiro and is contesting Brazil’s G1 races. Felizzola invests in top genetics and raises them at Haras Fronteira, where resident veterinarian Dr. Alex Menezes plays a key role. Trainer Paulo Lobo has also enhanced the stock under his care. The Uruguayan Triple Crown winner Suablenanav TH (T. H. Approval), the champion Devassa (Alcorano), and G1 winner Dale Flojita (Sloane Avenue) were all exported and are now under his supervision. This highlights the ambition of owners willing to risk and invest to elevate South American racing—particularly Uruguay and Brazil—onto the world stage, with the goal of contesting America’s top classics. In a landscape where exporting South American runners to the U.S. has paid dividends, the rise of No Bien Ni Mal bolsters the region’s bloodstock reputation. If his progression continues, his campaign could mirror past South American stars in North America, while adding yet another glorious chapter to the legacy of Griffe de Paris, whose family continues to produce champions capable of winning prestigious races across both hemispheres.

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale presents itself every year as the great barometer of the health of the Thoroughbred industry in the United States. The auction is organized by Keeneland Association, a consortium made up of breeders and consignors that also operates the racecourse and sales complex in Lexington, Kentucky; the sale is the largest yearling market in the world and, across twelve sessions, ranges from elite stock destined for the Kentucky Derby to yearlings for regional circuits. The 2025 edition not only confirmed the vitality of the industry, it also left a trail of records and trends within the genetic sector that sketch the map of the future of the sport in the United States and beyond. Keeneland Association, founded in 1935 by Hal Price Headley and a group of Fayette County breeders, is a nonprofit entity that aims to promote Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Its racecourse stages Grade 1 races every spring and fall, and its sales pavilion holds three annual auctions: January (horses of racing age, broodmares and late yearlings), September (yearlings of roughly a year and a half), and November (broodmares and weanlings). This current sale, which lasts almost two weeks, concentrates around 40% of North America’s yearling sales volume. For breeders and buyers, Keeneland is to genetics and bloodstock what Wall Street is to capital: the place where sporting dreams are priced and the quality of pedigrees is valued. The sale runs from September 8–19, 2025 (no sales on the 13th), divided into 12 sessions grouped into 6 books. The first two Books correspond to the top 20% in pedigree, conformation, and commercial appeal; the following Books group, year after year, stock with graduated quality. The official figures are eloquent: at the end of the first week, four consecutive days of selling, $307,639,000 had changed hands for 671 horses, with 53 yearlings at $1 million or more, an increase of 31 over 2024. By the close of the sixth session (Book 3), the tally reached 1,216 yearlings sold for $417,622,000, 24 more than in the same period of 2024; the average stood at $343,439 (+19%) and the median at $250,000. The RNA rate hovered around 30%, indicative of a selective but not speculative market. The 2025 figures are interpreted in a context of post-pandemic economic recovery and an industry with purses on the rise. Several factors contributed to the optimism: the strength of summer racing at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs, the limited supply of elite yearlings (around 4,000 fewer foals than the previous decade), and the appeal of U.S. tax rules allowing accelerated depreciation (bonus depreciation). Keeneland President & CEO Shannon Arvin described the atmosphere of the opening session as “exciting and electrifying,” with a packed pavilion and many new faces. Tony Lacy, Vice President of Sales, spoke of a market “logical and not overheated”; the fact that 15 Book 1 yearlings surpassed $1 million, the highest number since 2006, proves the point. Cormac Breathnach, Director of Sales Development, highlighted that the 15 top-priced lots went to 13 different buyers, by 12 sires and 11 consignors, a sign of depth and diversification. Book 1 was held over two sessions, Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th of September, and gathered the most exclusive pedigrees. Here 106 yearlings sold on day one and 101 on day two. Opening day totaled $69,240,000 with a record average of $653,208 and a $537,500 median, with an RNA of 20.90%. In total, 15 yearlings made over $1 million. The top lot of the entire sale appeared on opening day, Hip 177 a colt by Gun Runner (Candy Ride) and the second foal out of the mare Thoughtfully (Tapit). He brought $3,300,000 and was purchased by M. V. Magnier (Coolmore), Peter Brant (White Birch Farm), a partner of Magnier’s operation, and Winchell, co-owner of the sire. The dam, Thoughtfully, won Saratoga’s Adirondack Stakes (G2) and earned $168,000 on the track. She brings the influence of Tapit and the family of G1 winner Furlough (Easy Goer). Buyers underlined his “stallion-prospect physical and pedigree,” which helps explain the price. Something similar happened in 2022, when Magnier bought a Gun Runner for $2,300,000, $1 million less than now, and that colt was named Sierra Leone, today one of the candidates to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Hip 177, highest of the sale, purchased by Magnier and Brant. / Keeneland Sales The same duo, Magnier & Brant, paid $1,500,000 for a colt by the sensational Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday) from the female line of Heavenly Cat (Tabasco Cat); his dam is a G2 winner with multiple G1 placings and $740,000 in earnings. Another Gun Runner colt brought $2,200,000 and was purchased by trainer Wesley Ward. He is a full brother to Early Voting, and the dam of Hip 243 is Amour d’Ete (Tiznow), already a G1 producer and a half sister to G1 winner and sire Speightstown (Gone West). A colt by Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) bred by Hinkle Farms sold for $2,000,000 to David Lanigan for Mrs. Cindy Heider. Another Not This Time colt was secured by Saudi-based KAS Stables, through agent Pedro Lanz, for $1,700,000. Not This Time was the breakout sire of the sale, achieving an average above Curlin (Smart Strike), Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday), Justify (Scat Daddy) and Tapit (Pulpit). A filly by Flightline, from his first crop, sold for $2,200,000 to LSU Stables. She is the first foal out of a Majesticperfection (Harlan’s Holiday) mare who was a multiple G3 winner in Kentucky and earned $495,000. Another Flightline made $1,700,000 to Japanese buyer Naohiro Sakaguchi. The presence of international buyers from Japan, Ireland and the Middle East reflects the market’s global reputation. Tony Lacy, Keeneland’s VP of Sales, spoke of a “fun” atmosphere with buyers enjoying the competition. Book 1 prices confirmed the trend observed since 2021: polarization of demand. The leading buyers did not hesitate to pay premiums for individuals that combine classic pedigrees with current sire-line success on the track; at the same time, pressure on mid-priced lots remained contained. The $537,500 median is a good sign: the lower half of Book 1 still easily clears the half-million mark and provides value for investment or pin-hooking operations, where yearlings are bought to resell as two-year-olds in training. In Book 2, 221 yearlings sold in its first session for $85,702,000 with a $387,792 average and a $325,000 median, a 22% increase over last year’s Book 2. The second session added another $77,752,000. Thus, Book 2 totaled $163,454,000 for 438 head, with a $372,599 average and a $300,000 median, both above 2024. Most notable was the number of millionaires: 13 yearlings topped $1 million in Book 2’s opening session, lifting the sale’s running total to 48 at that point. Gun Runner colts shone again: Spendthrift Farm paid $1,900,000 for a son of the sire, closely related to Japanese champion Danon Decile. A Curlin colt cost $1,400,000 to Mike Ryan, who remarked there is “a genuine fever for quality,” adding that the filly to be sold in 2026 out of this family “should already be worth that price.” St. Elias, Albaugh Stables, West Point and Railbirds teamed up to purchase a Not This Time colt for $1,350,000, underscoring the growing respect for this young sire. Tony Lacy described the Book 2 market as “strong but realistic,” with a 30% RNA, sign buyers would pay premiums when quality warranted and pass on lots without added value. Book 3 took place on Saturday and Sunday and set a historical revenue record for that segment. During the sixth session (Sunday), 267 yearlings sold for $48,184,000 with a $180,464 average and $150,000 median, up 26.9% and 36.36% respectively over 2024. The stars here were the Not This Time offspring: a colt bred by Summer Wind Equine out of Sweetened (Candy Ride) brought $875,000 to Repole Stable & St. Elias. This colt hails from the family of the great Zenyatta (Street Cry); his third dam is Vertigineux (Kris S.), the champion’s dam. These prices indicate buyers were still willing to pay premiums for emerging-genetics colts even outside Book 2. Other notable Book 3 prices: a Tiz the Law colt at $675,000 to Donato Lanni, and several $600,000 yearlings by Bolt d’Oro (Medaglia d’Oro), Nyquist (Uncle Mo), Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song) and Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway). Books 4 and 5 (Monday to Wednesday of week two) held slightly lower averages and medians, suggesting the market normalizes as it moves away from the elite. However, demand stayed lively thanks to buyers active on regional circuits, state-bred incentive programs (New York-breds, Ontario-breds) and international groups seeking opportunities at reasonable prices. Total revenue at the sale’s close surpassed $450 million, according to Keeneland press notes (not time-stamped in this timeline, but verified by cumulative sums). With around 2,850 yearlings offered and a global clearance rate of ~74%, the auction solidified its reputation as a barometer for breeders. The sale made clear which sires are viewed as the engine of the industry. A yearling’s valuation depends largely on the reputation and results of its sire. Below we analyze the stallions that generated the highest bids and the relationship between their stud fees and the prices of their yearlings. Gun Runner, by Candy Ride and Quiet Giant by Giant’s Causeway, continued his hegemony. His offspring had earned over $13,500,000 in 2025 and he was sitting second on the sires’ list—until the Not This Time runners wreaked havoc at the Kentucky Downs meet in Franklin, Kentucky, winning million-dollar stakes plus multiple high-priced maidens and allowances, nudging Gun Runner back to third. During week one of the sale, 12 of his yearlings reached the million-dollar mark, averaging $887,436. In addition to the $3,300,000 top lot, Gun Runner featured atop Book 2 with the $1,900,000 colt bought by Spendthrift Farm (from the family of Japanese champion Danon Decile), another at $1,550,000 purchased by M. V. Magnier and White Birch Farm, and $1,250,000 colts knocked down to buyers such as AMO Racing, Spendthrift, Three Chimneys, Mike Repole, among other elite operations. Across the first three books, Gun Runner was the sire with the highest average. Gun Runner’s appeal is data-driven. His first crop, foaled in 2019, produced graded winners such as Gunite, Taiba, Early Voting, Echo Zulu, Cyberknife and Society, early developers successful from sprint to middle distances. Genetically, Gun Runner blends Candy Ride, a speed/middle-distance line potent at the mile, with the Quiet Giant family, a sister to Roman Ruler, bringing stamina via Fappiano. Gun Runner also embodies the highly effective Candy Ride–Storm Cat nick, with Giant’s Causeway as maternal grandsire at his best. Buyers value that his yearlings have powerful builds and professional mindsets. Economically, with a $250,000 fee in 2024 and yearlings selling at averages nearly ten times that, the breeder margin is extraordinary, fueling confidence and competition for his stock. Into Mischief, by Harlan’s Holiday and Leslie’s Lady by Tricky Creek, continues to lead the North American sires’ list by progeny earnings, just as he did in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and, barring a surprise, will again in 2025, with $22,850,000 banked at the time of writing, over $7,000,000 ahead of second, with a marquee representative in Sovereignty pointing to add more on November 1 after the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). In Book 1, his progeny sold consistently above $1 million, highlighted by a $2,000,000 colt to Justin Casse, Magnier and White Birch, Hip 1197, from the same female line as millionaire Tapit Trice (Tapit). His 2025 stud fee stood at $250,000, the highest in the Western Hemisphere, and his yearling median reflected a conservative 4–5x multiple of the fee, a sign buyers still see value. Into Mischief (a son of Harlan’s Holiday) contributes early speed and precocity; his progeny excel at two and are notably consistent. While the “depth” of the 7–9 furlong niche can limit his impact at classic distances, his ability to produce elite sprinters and milers keeps his commercial appeal high. And with Sovereignty, he’s shown he can get the occasional stayer when matched with the right mare. The revelation of the sale was Not This Time, by Giant’s Causeway and Miss Macy Sue by Trippi. With only four crops of racing age, the sale caught his stock at the perfect moment. In 2025, his runners lifted him to second on the general U.S. sires’ list by earnings, edging past Gun Runner by mid-September. The effect was felt at Keeneland, where his yearlings reached up to $2,000,000 and 14 hit the million mark. Likewise, Not This Time led all sires by gross in the first three books, with 56 yearlings selling for $38,855,000. The reasons for this “boom” are several. A half brother to Liam’s Map and direct son of Giant’s Causeway, the stallion throws a notably athletic physique. His runners Epicenter, Up to the Mark and Cogburn became G1 winners at three, showing versatility on dirt and turf, over various distances, in California, New York, Kentucky, Florida and Dubai. All those G1 winners are out of different mares and broodmare sires, signaling tremendous versatility; with more seasons, an especially effective nick will likely crystallize. The September sale coincided with a streak of his runners’ victories at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs, whetting buyers’ appetites.  The Keeneland Sales Pavilion is a spectacular stage. Significantly, Not This Time offers a pedigree with an interesting second dam. Yada Yada (Great Above) carries a duplication to the mare Ta Wee (Intentionally) in 2Sx3D. Yada Yada also produced a stakes-winning mare—the dam of Not This Time—who not only produced this sensational stallion but also foaled the following black-type winners: her second foal, champion Liam’s Map (Unbridled’s Song), Taylor S (Medaglia d’Oro), a G2 winner, and the millionaire Matera (Tapit), sold for $1,400,000 at this same sale in 2018. His stud fee rose to $175,000 for 2025, but the return—measured by his Keeneland yearling average—comfortably exceeds that value, roughly a 5x multiple. For many breeders, Not This Time represents the continuation of Giant’s Causeway’s (Storm Cat) influence adapted to the modern era. Without doubt, Not This Time will sire many more graded winners—and, crucially, he profiles as a strong broodmare sire in time. Flightline, by Tapit out of Feathered by Indian Charlie, retired unbeaten after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic by 8 lengths with a staggering 126 Beyer. With an initial $200,000 fee in 2023, his first yearlings were eagerly awaited at Keeneland. Prices were high: the priciest was the top-priced filly across the first three books—$2,200,000 to LSU Stables—mentioned earlier. Another colt brought $1,700,000 to Naohiro Sakaguchi and another $1,400,000 to Mayberry Farm for CRK Stable. These results showed confidence but also prudence: buyers value his athletic upside but haven’t yet seen his offspring race. Genetically, Flightline brings the Tapit line and the family of G1 winner Feathered (by Indian Charlie), with duplications of Mr. Prospector and Seattle Slew in intermediate positions. The cost of his yearlings will only prove profitable if his runners replicate the sire’s talent; nevertheless, competition for the first offerings created headlines and kept the brand front-of-mind. Curlin, a two-time Horse of the Year, maintained his position as a “reliable classic” influence: a colt sold for $1,400,000 to Mike Ryan and his Book 1 presence generated robust averages. Tapit, patriarch of the A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) line, saw yearlings top $1 million, per Gainesway Farm reports. Nyquist, Justify, Practical Joke, Good Magic and Nyquist also sold well, reflecting buyer confidence in relatively young but proven sires. Yaupon, whose first two-year-olds earned over $1 million in summer racing in New York and California, had solid sales across Books 3–4. Vekoma (Candy Ride) sold a filly for $850,000 to Resolute Bloodstock (John Stewart), confirming his rise with his second crop. Vekoma’s average was $219,720; his 25 sold for a total of $5,493,000. Collectively, the figures show buyers are willing to pay premiums for sires with racetrack performance and young stallions with upside. The dispersion of prices suggests the “middle class” of sires (fees $25,000–$50,000) also found liquidity, though their yearlings rarely surpassed $300,000. The correlation between stud fee and average price holds, but with variance: Not This Time and Gun Runner multiply fee values by 5–7, while others roughly double the cover cost. The 2025 edition showed a market balanced between traditional major players and new investors. Among the leading buyers are; Coolmore & White Birch Farm (M. V. Magnier and Peter Brant): beyond the $3,300,000 colt, they bought an Into Mischief for $1,500,000 and a Gun Runner colt for $1,550,000. Coolmore continues to strengthen its North American base with colts aimed at the Triple Crown. Repole Stable, sometimes in partnership with St. Elias Stables, led week 1 buyers, investing $14,085,000 in 32 yearlings. Their focus includes Not This Time, Gun Runner and Flightline yearlings. Purchasing advisor Jacob West emphasized they seek horses that can compete on the NYRA circuit and in America’s classic races. Flying Dutchmen (Hunter Rankin and partners) led Thursday’s session with five purchases totaling $3,745,000, including a Life Is Good colt for $1,250,000 and a Not This Time filly for $1,000,000. Rankin highlighted that proven dams and strong families justify those prices. Spendthrift Farm, a traditional consignor, acted as a strategic buyer: they acquired the $1.9 million Gun Runner colt and other Not This Time lots. One of the highest average tickets among buyers: 8 purchases for $8,700,000, an average of $1,087,500 for Tamara Hughes and Eric Gustavson’s operation leaded by Ned Toffey. Donato Lanni worked as agent for major owners trained by the Bob Baffert team in California. SF Racing, Starlight and Madaket acquired 20 lots across the first three books. Present as advisor, Bob Baffert called the sale a “frenzy” for quality, sign buyers don’t want to miss out. St. Elias, Albaugh, West Point and Railbirds joined forces to buy a Not This Time colt for $1.35 million, an example of owner alliances to spread risk and increase bidding power. International buyers: Japan’s Naohiro Sakaguchi purchased two Flightline colts for $1.7m and $1.5m. Beyond Europe, buyers from the Middle East and UAE were active on Into Mischief and Nyquist lots, reflecting market globalization. Geographically, Keeneland reported buyers from 25 countries participated, with strong presence from Japan, Ireland, Canada and Gulf nations. This diversity helps mitigate U.S. market volatility and confirms the American Thoroughbred’s export appeal. Also, in the remaining three books, prices will ease, allowing many other clients to access yearlings. On the supply side, consignors play a key role. Week 1’s leading consignor was Taylor Made Sales Agency, with $46,815,000 in sales for 108 yearlings. Taylor Made, founded by the Taylor family, is known for a diverse portfolio and ability to attract global buyers. Next came Hill ’n’ Dale at Xalapa, consignor of the $3,300,000 colt. Four Star Sales consigned the $1.55 million Gun Runner colt out of Twenty Carat, from the family of Shared Account (Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner). Dixiana Farm sold a Flightline colt for $1.4 million and a Not This Time for $775,000.. Taylor Made’s show string ahead of sale days. / Keeneland Sales Among breeders, standouts included Summer Wind Equine, responsible for the $875,000 Not This Time colt; Spendthrift Farm, which, beyond buying, also sold million-dollar yearlings; Gainesway Farm, which told media that Tapit’s yearlings hit record figures; and several Canadian breeders who, according to Canadian Thoroughbred, placed Ontario-bred yearlings at unprecedented prices. The success of Ontario-breds (Ontario’s incentive program) shows the importance of state bonuses in commercial values, as with New York-breds. The distribution of the top lots, Gun Runner, Not This Time, Flightline and Into Mischief, across various consignors reflects that quality isn’t concentrated in a single farm. Even so, farms with global partnerships, like Hill ’n’ Dale (John Sikura), Taylor Made or Three Chimneys Farm (owners and home of Gun Runner), tend to attract top buyers thanks to confidence in their selection and horsemanship. A fundamental part of yearling valuation is pedigree interpretation—analyzing not just sire achievements but the mare’s lines, duplications of key ancestors, and the interaction of sire and dam lines. Science and art meet at Keeneland, and the 2025 edition left clear genetic signals. The Argentine Candy Ride, by Ride the Rails out of Candy Girl (Candy Stripes), is the patriarch of family {13-c}. Unbeaten in 6 starts and Pacific Classic winner in record time at Del Mar, he became one of the most influential sires of the last decade in the U.S. His chief heir, Gun Runner, dominates lists and sales; Twirling Candy sits fourth on the 2025 earnings list; Vekoma, Metropolitan Mile winner, debuted as a sire with ~2% stakes winners to runners and sold $850,000 yearlings; Rock Your World, with his first crop on the track, ranks fifth among freshman sires with 11% black-type runners and is now a G3 sire thanks to Taken By The Wind at Churchill Downs. This “Candy Ride economy” is based on the patriarch’s ability to transmit speed, intermediate stamina and miler capability without saturating the pedigree with close duplications of Northern Dancer (Nearctic) or Mr. Prospector (Raise A Native). His line crosses well with mares from Storm Cat and A.P. Indy sire lines. At Keeneland, buyers pay premiums for Candy Ride and his descendants because the pedigree demonstrates versatility and high efficacy. Not This Time represents the refreshed Giant’s Causeway line. His runners Epicenter (second in the 2022 Kentucky Derby and Travers winner) and Up to the Mark (triple G1 winner on turf) showed he can sire top performers on dirt and turf from a mile to 12 furlongs. Very recently he added two new G1 winners—Troubleshooting at Kentucky Downs and Sacred Wish in Del Mar’s Matriarch Stakes (G1). This versatility translates to the market: buyers see Not This Time as a play for the Triple Crown but also for turf, opening the door to European or Japanese clients. Tapit, by Pulpit out of Tap Your Heels (Unbridled), has long dominated as a sire of long-distance classic horses, Essential Quality, Tonalist, Cupid and Frosted among them. His stock can take time to mature, but top buyers invest because Tapit’s colts often turn into quality runners and stallion prospects. Duplications to A.P. Indy and Seattle Slew, adding cardiovascular “engine”, are sought for mares with speed lines. He also brings a Nijinsky (Northern Dancer) component that provides substantial stamina. At Keeneland 2025, Tapit maintained a high profile with Book 1 yearlings selling well above $1 million. His son Flightline looms as a successor, though his produce has yet to race and will need on-track validation. Buyers follow “nicks”, historically effective crosses. The Gun Runner–Tapit cross produced the $3,300,000 colt; the Not This Time, Tapit combination yielded the $1,700,000 colt, showing Tapit is announcing himself as an excellent broodmare sire. The Into Mischief blend with mares by Bernardini has already produced the crack, dual classic winner Sovereignty, and in this sale returned a $1.5 million yearling. In general, buyers seek combinations that balance speed and stamina. By the close of the sixth session (mid-sale), total receipts were $417,622,000 for 1,216 yearlings with a $343,439 average and $250,000 median, more than 24% above last year’s figure. With more sessions ahead, projections pointed to a final around $450 million. The RNA rate (yearlings not reaching reserve and bought back by their breeders) hovered near 30%, an acceptable level signaling both selectivity and commercial strength. For breeders, profitability depends on multiplying the stud fee by a factor (often 2–5) to cover breeding, upkeep and consignment costs. Gun Runner and Not This Time returned bteween 5 to 7 times their fees, providing generous margins. In the middle tier (Yaupon, Good Magic, Practical Joke), multiples were 2–3, enough to cover costs but without huge profits. Sires below $15,000 saw yearlings trade $40,000–$80,000, allowing regional breeders to recoup if placed in Books 4–6. From the buyers’ perspective, the key question is break-even: how much must the horse earn in purses to justify its price? With a $1 million Kentucky Derby and rising purses in New York and California, a $400,000 yearling needs to win a stake or multiple allowances to break even. However, the industry offers other paths to recover investment through resale (pin-hooking) and through stallion or broodmare residual value if the horse succeeds on the track. Participation from Asia and the Middle East stabilizes the market. Japan, for instance, has adopted a selective import model geared to staying and turf racing; Naohiro Sakaguchi’s purchase of a Flightline colt points to prolonging Tapit’s influence in Japan’s program. UAE and Qatar target milers and sprinters for their winter seasons; they bought Into Mischief and Not This Time yearlings. Canada and South America were present with modest operations, leveraging incentive programs to favor purchases of home-bred yearlings. This diversity helps buffer reliance on the U.S. market. In 2008–2009, the financial crisis dragged prices lower due to a collapse in local demand; today, global balance reduces volatility. Keeneland reported buyers from 25 countries bid on yearlings in Books 1 and 2. If one region trims investment, others can compensate, lending the market resilience. The 2025 edition offers several lessons for breeders and consignors. Taylor Made and other leading consignors underline the importance of raising correct yearlings with deep pedigrees. Book 1’s tight curation at just 207 yearlings shows the elite is increasingly selective. Mid-sized breeders should aim to place a product in Books 2–3 to achieve positive returns. Disparity in fee multiples shows not all sires offer the same ROI. Gun Runner and Not This Time are near-term “safe bets”; patience and investment in a rising stallion such as Yaupon, Vekoma, or Rock Your World can generate outsized returns if their first runners deliver. On the mare side, buyers pay premiums for producers of stakes horses or well-recognized families. Investing in quality mares and maintaining impeccable veterinary records is essential. Seven-figure yearling purchases are often done in partnership, Magnier, Tabor and Smith partnering with Peter Brant and White Birch, or St. Elias partnering with Albaugh and Railbirds and, elsewhere, with Mike Repole. This diversifies risk and enables bidding on individuals no single party could secure alone. Economically, the sale shows a healthy market. Total receipts north of $450 million mark the highest ever for the September sale. The record 56 million-dollar yearlings across the first three books clearly evidences that capital for elite stock is available. Nonetheless, an RNA near 30% and the gap between average and median, an average inflated by top prices, indicate the breeding “middle class” needs solid product to find higher prices. Market globalization, with buyers from 25 countries, offers breeders outlets to new clients and entry into other markets. Looking to 2026 and beyond, the success of the yearlings bought this year on the track will determine whether the bubble expands or stabilizes. If Flightline’s first runners confirm the sire’s talent, we could see a jump for his yearlings in the 2026–2027 sales. Should Not This Time continue producing graded winners, his fee and yearling prices will adjust accordingly. The quality of mares and breeders’ capacity to invest in top-tier genetics will remain decisive. In an increasingly sophisticated, demanding market, where genetic information, biomechanical and phenotypic evaluation, and data science play growing roles, Keeneland September will remain the showcase where the future of the North American Thoroughbred industry is projected.

The Criadores Nacionales Stakes (G3) at Maroñas is usually the first major barometer for Uruguay’s classic crop, where colts who did not contest the Polla de Potrillos face off for a possible berth in the Jockey Club (G3), the second jewel of the Uruguayan Triple Crown. However, the 2025 edition became more than that, it was the stage for a dazzling arrival. Obastacle (Hofburg), a Brazilian-bred colt from Santa María de Araras, Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, trained by Ivo Valter “Coco” Pereira for the colors of Mr. Ricardo Felizzola’s Stud Duplo Ouro, stepped onto the Montevideo dirt without a prior route race and smashed the clock. Obstacle (Hofburg) cruising swiftly in the final yards. He had debuted third, with some trouble caused by immaturity and inexperience, in February in the ABCPCC Copa Precocidad y Velocidad trial over 1,000 meters, and in March finished sixth in the final while closing late, which was his last start. After a six-month break, he reappeared in a select group to make the extraordinary leap from 1,000 to 1,800 meters. Far from showing inexperience, the son of Hofburg (Tapit) broke sharply, absorbed a bump when the gates opened, and set off after the favorite Namaguederaz (Algorithms). Down the backstretch he took command and began to open up around the turn. Three hundred meters from home his lead was seven and a half lengths and, despite the trip, he never stopped running. He stopped the clock in 1:46.18, pulverizing the record of 1:46.50 held by Potri Flash since 2006, improving the previous mark by 32 hundredths. He put 7 ½ lengths on runner-up Ultimate Best (Synchrony), completing a 1–2 for Tapit sons, and left the heavy favorite Namaguederaz third, tired after attempting to follow the winner. Beyond the final time, his fractions put the magnitude of the feat into context. After being bumped at the start, Felizzola’s chestnut, prepared by Ivo Pereira’s team, settled and went 400 meters in a blistering 21.96, then 800 in 44.42, and covered 1,200 in 1:07.84, ten hundredths faster than Gran Taffeta’s (Gran Normand) record for that distance, with 600 meters still to run. At 1,600, his split was 1:33.30, just three hundredths off the record of Brujo de Olleros (Wild Event), set by the same Brazilian trainer–jockey duo. The key was his finish: he ran the last furlong in 12.88, making it clear he still had something left at the wire. For his jockey Everton Rodrigues it was a perfect ride; for his foreman Pablo Duarte, a dream debut. With only three lifetime starts, Obastacle has already become one of the fastest horses in Maroñas history. Obastacle’s genetic profile helps explain why his rapid rise should not be considered a fluke. He is by Hofburg, a chestnut son of multiple U.S. champion Tapit (Pulpit) out of Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold (Deputy Minister). Hofburg was a notable performer in the United States—second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and third in the Florida Derby (G1). He also belongs to the {2-d} family of Coup de Folie (Halo), which includes figures like Machiavellian and Coup de Genie, all descending from the matriarch Natalma (Native Dancer), dam of Northern Dancer (Nearctic). This female branch, famous for its racing ability, brings stamina and consistency. The decision by Julio Bozano, owner of Haras Santa María de Araras, to bring Hofburg to his stallion roster in Brazil is proving right: from his first crop he has sired Vitruvian, a G1 winner at Gávea; G3 winner and Dubai export Nam Phrik; multiple G1-placed Niver Ball; stakes winner New Future; and the talented No Bien Ni Mal, who turned in two good races at Maroñas before winning at Saratoga. The trend indicates Hofburg’s progeny perform especially well on dirt, as proven by No Bien Ni Mal, Nam Phrik, New Future, the current-crop colt Óbvio, and now Obastacle. That said, they remain competitive on turf, as shown by Vitruvian, Niver Ball, Navy Of War, Osten, and Non Costa Caro at Maroñas. Obstacle’s pedigree shows a Genetic Strength Value (GSV) of 70.29, a quantitative indicator developed by French researcher François Bouquet to measure genetic power based on the density of chefs-de-race within the first five generations. A GSV around 70 implies above-average stamina. The genetic key lies in his third dam, Ex Facto by Known Fact (In Reality) and Premier Princess by Exclusive Native (Raise A Native). This U.S. mare, purchased for U$S 37,000 at the 1991 Keeneland Sales, won 2 of 13 starts and earned U$S 42,600 on the track, but her true value emerged in production. Ex Facto belongs to the {8-h} family and is by Known Fact, a Juddmonte-owned European champion miler, her dam Premier Princess is by champion Exclusive Native, sire of Triple Crown winner Affirmed. Come And See, Obstacle’s dam, is by Elusive Quality (Gone West), a Darley/Godolphin stallion who shuttled to Brazil in 2009 and 2010, one of those investments that enriched Brazilian breeding. This mare has an interesting Rasmussen Factor of 4Sx4D to the reine-de-course Tamerett (Tim Tam). Descending from her are Tentam (Intentionally), Gone West (Mr. Prospector), Shackleford (Forestry), Clarity Sky (Kurofune), Lady Joanne (Orientate), and Tappiano (Fappiano). Ex Facto’s influence has multiplied in South America. She is the third dam of the newly crowned champion Ethereum (Courtier), owned by Mr. Carlos Dos Santos and trained by Cosminho Morgado Neto, who shone at three, was named Brazil’s 2024/25 “Horse of the Year,” and is being aimed at the upcoming Gran Premio Latinoamericano as one of the favorites. She is also the third dam of Nudini (Drosselmeyer), winner of the Rio de Janeiro Derby, the final leg of the 2024/25 Carioca Triple Crown. Her presence in pedigrees is significant beyond Latin America as well: Redifined (More Than Ready), purchased for U$S 450,000 at Fasig-Tipton in July 2023, is multiple stakes-placed in the U.S. Looking at her produce as a second dam, you find champion juveniles in Brazil and Uruguay: Parfum Parfait (Clackson), Cruiseliner (Wild Event), Alto Voltage (Ecclesiastic), the sprinter Aspiración (Wild Event), and many other stakes winners. The constant is her ability to produce not only precocity but also horses who progress at three and four years, something remarkable. In Obastacle, Ex Facto connects to Hofburg through complementary crossing patterns: Tapit’s line, with its inbreeding to A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew), contributes high aerobic capacity, while the Known Fact line, descending from In Reality, adds the speed of a champion miler. The result is Obstacle, a colt with a perfect balance of early speed and finishing power. Obastacle’s Maroñas debut over 1,800 meters not only earned him a record that had stood nearly 20 years; it also confirmed he is ready for bigger challenges. Owner Ricardo Felizzola, together with trainer Ivo Pereira, his son Leandro, and Pablo Duarte, plan to target the remaining two legs of the Uruguayan Triple Crown for three-year-olds, then aim for the Gran Premio José Pedro Ramírez (G1) on January 6, and, if he continues to respond, ship him to the United States to follow in the footsteps of No Bien Ni Mal, another Hofburg son who recently won an allowance on his North American debut during the Saratoga (SPA) meeting. The progression is logical: the Uruguayan Triple Crown tends to forge tough, versatile colts, and the Ramírez, at 2,400 meters, offers an especially attractive purse. His performance in the Criadores Nacionales (G3) shows the transition is feasible; unlike many stayers who post moderate splits, he forced a fast pace and still finished his final 200 meters in 12.88, a sign he retains energy. It suggests the extra 200 meters of the Jockey Club (G3), to be run on October 5, should not pose a problem. The “Toro” Rodrigues–Ivo Pereira duo once again found success. / Fotografías Santiago Success cannot be understood without looking at the surrounding team. Trainer Ivo Valter “Coco” Pereira was the undisputed leader of the Maroñas standings for several years. After a dip in stock, he is now in excellent form in a very competitive environment at Maroñas, reasserting himself as one of the best trainers. Ivo has handled outstanding horses; among his pupils is the record-setter Brujo de Olleros (Wild Event), whose 1,600-meter mark Obastacle nearly matched in passing. The choice of jockey Everton Rodrigues, a rider experienced on deep sands with a fine touch at the finish, was also decisive: he controlled the colt’s eagerness, didn’t panic after the break’s bump, and let him flow at his rhythm. Foreman Pablo Duarte handled the fine-tuning and, according to post-race comments, the colt had worked very well in private, yet the manner of victory still surprised him. Haras Santa María de Araras, which breeds over 100 foals annually in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, provides the genetics and veterinary support that allow the stable to dream of an export project. From a commercial genetics perspective, the Duplo Ouro runner’s victory reinforces the value of Hofburg’s service in the South American market. As with all Santa María de Araras stallions, fees are not among the cheapest in South America, but paying between U$S 7,000 and 8,000 for the service is worthwhile—the effectiveness justifies the investment. His pedigree shows how fertile that combination can be when paired with a powerful female line like Ex Facto’s. Obastacle not only broke a nearly two-decade-old record at Maroñas; he opened an exciting chapter in Uruguay’s classic season and continues to build the bridge between Montevideo’s dirt and U.S. tracks—already crossed by No Bien Ni Mal and pursued by Suablenanv T. H. (T. H. Approval), Devassa (Alcorano), and Dale Flojita (Sloane Avenue), with Touch Of Destiny (Midshipman) aiming for the Breeders’ Cup. Obstacle’s triumph shows what happens when an emerging stallion like Hofburg, a powerful female family like Ex Facto’s, and a team of professionals who know how to prepare horses come together. Looking ahead, Obastacle will have to prove his record was no isolated flash; the Uruguayan Triple Crown and the Ramírez will be his stamina exams. But in light of what he showed, blistering fractions, a strong finish, and unusual consistency for a horse making just his second start, it’s reasonable to think the Duplo Ouro colt is more than a passing phenomenon. Managed patiently, he could become the new “running machine” Uruguay has been waiting for and, by extension, another ambassador of Brazilian breeding in the North.

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 13 at Churchill Downs, two unmistakable signs were left for breeding programs: the road to the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks began under the long shadow of Candy Ride  (Ride The Rails). His paternal grandsons, Spice Runner  (Gun Runner) in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) and Taken by the Wind  (Rock Your World) in the Pocahontas Stakes (G3), won with different arguments but with a common denominator: a genetic framework showing unmatched biomechanical efficiency, once again validating the Argentine stallion’s dynasty in the United States, the most competitive industry in the sport. Far from being a coincidence, the double reconnects a thread that binds generations: Candy Ride , his sons, and now his sons’ sons, who today define much of the excellence standard for producing milers with great speed and just enough stamina to sustain a strong pace, the ideal profile to win these types of two-year-old races. Moreover, it confirmed the effectiveness of the Candy Ride – Storm Cat  nick. Spice Runner (Gun Runner) winning in the last stride in the Iroquois (G3). The Iroquois Stakes (G3), the first link in the Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying calendar, set up an early tactical clock battle. With fractions of 22.69 and 46.06 for the opening quarter and half-mile, Comport  (Collected), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, tried to wire the field and looked dangerous passing six furlongs in 1:10.83. But the Churchill Downs mile rarely forgives poor energy management. Breaking from post five, Spice Runner , ridden by Jose Ortiz Jr. and trained by Steven Asmussen for Ron Winchell, already made famous by his sire, Gun Runner  (Candy Ride), sat relaxed off the pace, switched leads at the top of the stretch on Ortiz’s cue, and with a devastating turn of foot, ground down the frontrunner to get up in the final stride. The final time of 1:36.59 for the mile earned him the first 10 qualifying points toward the Derby, and more importantly, confirmed his image as a “work in progress” colt with genuine upside. Even with some self-inflicted greenness in the stretch, once straightened he showed a long stride and the impression of a serious colt who knows what’s being asked of him. His team admitted as much afterward: still mentally immature, but with an engine that responds the more it’s pressed. The Iroquois Stakes (G3), the first link in the Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying calendar, set up an early tactical clock battle. With fractions of 22.69 and 46.06 for the opening quarter and half-mile, Comport  (Collected), ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, tried to wire the field and looked dangerous passing six furlongs in 1:10.83. But the Churchill Downs mile rarely forgives poor energy management. Breaking from post five, Spice Runner , ridden by Jose Ortiz Jr. and trained by Steven Asmussen for Ron Winchell, already made famous by his sire, Gun Runner  (Candy Ride), sat relaxed off the pace, switched leads at the top of the stretch on Ortiz’s cue, and with a devastating turn of foot, ground down the frontrunner to get up in the final stride. The final time of 1:36.59 for the mile earned him the first 10 qualifying points toward the Derby, and more importantly, confirmed his image as a “work in progress” colt with genuine upside. Even with some self-inflicted greenness in the stretch, once straightened he showed a long stride and the impression of a serious colt who knows what’s being asked of him. His team admitted as much afterward: still mentally immature, but with an engine that responds the more it’s pressed. Taken by the Wind  (Rock Your World) finished more than five lengths clear of the runner-up. The reasons behind these victories run deep: pedigrees. Spice Runner  is by Gun Runner  and out of a mare by Cowboy Cal  (Giant’s Causeway). That combination creates a 3Sx3D duplication of Giant’s Causeway , since Gun Runner’s dam, Quiet Giant , and Cowboy Cal  both descend from him. Notably, he’s a full brother to Gunite , a Grade 1 winner at seven furlongs as a juvenile who stretched out successfully with age. His female family is also strong: beyond MG1W Gunite , his second dam is a stakes winner, and the family includes the Listed winner Home Bred  (Street Sense) and his G2-winning brother Air Strike  (Street Sense). Taken by the Wind , meanwhile, carries the stamp of Rock Your World , a Candy Ride  who won the Santa Anita Derby (G1). He also adds the genetic mark of Giant’s Causeway  (Storm Cat), though in a different pattern: a 4Sx3D cross, with Rock Your World  bringing him in via the third generation on top, and the filly’s dam, Up for Grabs , introducing him again through First Samurai  (Giant’s Causeway). She also doubles up Fappiano  and Herbager  in the fifth generation. Add in the influence of Empire Maker  (Unbridled) atop Rock Your World , and you get the ingredient needed not just for September wins, but for surviving winter and showing up in May for the Kentucky Oaks. Taken by the Wind  (Rock Your World) in the paddock before the Pocahontas (G3). None of this happens in a vacuum. The double at Churchill comes in a year when Candy Ride’s mark is everywhere. His son Hit Show  won the Dubai World Cup (G1) in March. Gun Runner  keeps producing graded winners. Twirling Candy  maintains elite statistics. Vekoma , from his first crop, advanced strongly among new sires. Rock Your World , with this first stakes winner, steps onto the freshman stage. At Keeneland September, Gun Runner  yearlings lit up buyers with multiple seven-figure prices, including a $3,300,000 topper. Against that backdrop, Saturday at Churchill means more than it seems. Spice Runner , with his 1:36.59 mile and furious late kick, showed the Gun Runner – Cowboy Cal  formula not only repeats but does so with quality. Taken by the Wind , with 1:36.50 and a 5 ¼-length margin, profiled herself as a filly ready for a class hike. Expect to see Spice Runner  in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) and Taken by the Wind in the Alcibiades (G1). There’s also a subtler but equally decisive point, the “grandfather’s party” isn’t just a catchy label—it describes intergenerational transmission. Candy Ride  crosses beautifully with A.P. Indy  (Seattle Slew) or Storm Cat  (Storm Bird) lines, especially when reinforced with Giant’s Causeway  at 3x4 or 4x4. That’s why his grandsons with Storm Cat  via Giant’s Causeway  excel. Spice Runner and  Taken by the Wind  are two fresh, visible examples. Candy Ride (Ride The Rails) galloping in his stallion paddock at Lane’s End. As twilight fell at Churchill, beyond two checks and the first 10 points beside each winner’s name, the feeling was that we witnessed the foundations of something bigger. Spice Runner  earned the right to look toward fall with ambition and spring with hope, while Taken by the Wind  obliterated the line between promise and reality with an authoritative performance. For geneticists, the takeaway is clear: duplications to Giant’s Causeway  at middle distances remain gold when planted in Candy Ride’s fertile soil. For breeders and buyers, the message is equally clear, the dynasty of Candy Ride , now in its third generation, continues producing horses who win important races and sustain a strong marketplace.

The simultaneous kickoff of the Triple Crowns in São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo offered a vivid portrait of South American racing, across three racetracks, two surfaces, six races, and each region’s most talented horses. On Saturday, September 6, Palermo and Cidade Jardim opened their first jewels, while Sunday the 7th was Maroñas’ turn. Success on the track is rarely a standalone occurrence; it’s always the visible result of a sequence of decisions materialized through the daily management of breeding, breaking, pretraining, and training that judges the clock, the winner’s circle photo, and some metal cups. At Lineage Bloodstock , we focus on the main protagonist, the horse. However, here we’ll briefly review other equally essential factors that directly impact the quality of the equine athletes: infrastructure, teams, breeders, and how the human factor should operate to achieve what everyone desires: winning the Polla de Potrillos, Polla de Potrancas, Ipiranga, Barão de Piracicaba, or any Group 1, representing the highest glory for every owner, breeder, or professional. We begin with Argentina, Buenos Aires, where the Polla de Potrillos (G1) took place, one of the most storied races in Latin American racing. It delivered a defining finish for a generation: after long years in the sport, the owner and breeder saw Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) meet a brave Drive Joy (Fortify), who competed while injured, which was later detected post-race. The two duked it out in a relentless head-to-head from the final 2 furlongs to the wire. The difference was a neck, the leader had run the first 4 furlongs in 46.72, a lively pace for Palermo’s mile, and the winner finished in 1:34.46 for the mile. That combination of a fast early pace and a solid final time shows it was a true test of character. When the initial fractions are that quick, the late stage isn’t won with raw speed but with the ability to convert it into extension and sustain action when mental and physiological demands wear most others down. Gardel Pass’s merit lies in enduring that mile-specific test, a distance that punishes sprinters who don’t stretch and stayers who get caught out in early speed. Meanwhile, Drive Joy’s merit lies in showing grit while limited, putting in context the competitive level of the generation. For Gardel Pass , the win opens two sporting paths and one symbolic path. The symbolic one is immediate, the first Polla de Potrillos for his team, the duo of Wálter Suárez and María Fernanda Álvarez, a milestone that strengthens confidence and project in this trainer pair based at Palermo, Buenos Aires, with about 60 horses in the city at present. The sporting alternatives entail strategic choices with different costs and benefits. One option is going directly to the Jockey Club (G1) over 10 furlongs on turf at San Isidro, requiring adaptation to another surface and another distance with that same stamina shown on the dirt mile. The other is consolidating his mile dominance, capitalizing on proven superiority and turning high performance into a streak, which adds sport and commercial value to a colt in development. The right choice depends on his type, his way of winning, and the maturation plan the team wants to execute. Argentina continues to be a showcase for the world, collectively, the eyes of the industry are on this son of Distinctiv Passion (With Distinction). Gardel Pass (Distinctiv Passion) defining alongside Drive Joy (Fortify). Gardel Pass’s case becomes especially compelling when the gaze shifts from the wire to the stud. He is by Distinctiv Passion (With Distinction), a stallion imported in 2018, not a phenomenon with enormous books, but a “value sire” operated under a boutique logic. He was supported almost exclusively by mares from Haras El Alfalfar, with limited books, continuity, and selectivity. In five generations there have been 87 foals, 59 runners, and 41 winners, that’s a 69.5% winners-to-runners ratio. There are eight stakes winners, six of them group winners, and this one is his first G1 progeny. This is not luck, but consolidation of a model where internal mares sustain the stallion’s project until the individual that stamps the highest mark appears. The birth sequence per season outlines a carefully managed growth that mirrors confidence supported by data: 13 foals in 2018; 17 in 2019; 26 in 2020; 31 in 2021; 37 in 2022; 45 in 2023; and 9 so far in 2024. There’s no trend-driven inflation, just a curve built patiently. His dam, La Cumparsita Key (Key Deputy), provides the other pillar. She won one race and placed third in the Carlos Casares (G3), but as a broodmare has delivered remarkable efficiency: five runners, five winners, two black-type, one of which is G1. A year before Gardel Pass was born she produced Papusa Pass (Distinctiv Passion), a full-sister to the winner and G3/G2 winner over 5&6 furlongs at Palermo. The maternal line is all from the Haras of Mr. Alfredo Camogli, showing again high productivity in speed with enough stretch to handle a mile. The {4‑p} family also includes Todo Tango Key (Key Deputy), Villero Cat (Easing Along), Compasivo Cat (Easing Along), Llorón Cat (Easing Along), and the talented Tristeza Cat (Easing Along). In the Polla de Potrancas (G1), Palermo posed a question. The unbeaten Moon Frank (Gidu) had to validate her figure against the prior benchmark, Charm (Strategos), winner of the Estrellas Juveniles Fillies G1 at the same racetrack and distance. The answer was affirmative and emphatic: Moon Frank maintained her unbeaten record with a one-length victory—the kind of win that doesn’t diminish her runner-up but firmly establishes the hierarchy on the day when the calendar demands it. Sportingly, it’s the kind of race that shows that being unbeaten isn’t a fragile statistic but a result of consistently correct tactical decisions under pressure. Moon Frank (Gidu) giving Gidu his first G1 as a freshman sire. Trained by internationally experienced trainer Diego Peña, the winner added a crucial breeding component—giving freshman sire Gidu (Frankel) his first G1 winner as a stallion. That metric is double-fold: a first classic by a freshman sire not only lights up stats but validates the haras’s choice and feeds future production value. Gidu’s 2022 crop totals 52 foals, and next season there will be only 16 two-year-olds, all owned by Haras Gran Muñeca. Haras Gran Muñeca’s effectiveness, years with Full Mast (Mizzen Mast), now with Gidu (Frankel), and their pastures await the offspring of Made You Look (More Than Ready), the operation led by Hernán Gasibe with collaboration from Dr. Juan Garat. Podium for Moon Frank (Gidu). From left to right: Dr. Juan P. Garat, Mr. Hernán Gasibe, Moon Frank, her team, and Diego Peña with relatives. Moon Sale (Not For Sale), the dam of the filly, is a multiple classic winner in Argentina. Since 2016 she has produced five named foals; all ran, four won, and Moon Frank is the first G1. The family, from Haras Las Ortigas (Ignacio Correas II and III), and for the past three dams from the now-defunct Haras San Lorenzo de Areco, offers valuable quality for those considering the filly as a future broodmare. Not just a single race record, but a line with fertility, soundness, and ability to convert phenotype into performance. Practically, she not only leads her generation, but also raises her residual value for a second chapter at stud through both results and dam line consistency. In São Paulo, Cidade Jardim distributed their jewels in a Haras Río Iguassú double showing their precision in big races. In the Ipiranga (G1) for colts, Star Do Iguassú (Outstrip) met favoritism with an authoritative win under João Moreira. Coming off a second behind Oderich (Drosselmeyer) in the Taça de Prata (G1), and with the absence of both Oderich and Tá Legal (Can The Man), he still solved a demanding mile racing equation. The best colt from Paraná covered the 8-furlong on São Paulo’s turf in 1:33.74—a time that highlights his performance; he knew how to take control, assume favorite responsibilities, and win with ease. Star Do Iguassú (Outstrip) winning comfortably by 11/4 lengths. Star Do Iguassú is out of Energia Halo (Gloria de Campeão), bred by Haras Estrella Energía. In her seven starts, she won four races, one at G2 level, and another G2 second-place, she never finished off the board. Energia Halo already produced Pearl Do Iguassú (Forestry), a talented winner of five races (including a listed), with two classic placings in G2 and G1. Her third product, Quico Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten), won 2 of his 3 starts. The fourth product is this precocious colt. It would be good to see him at Jockey Club Paulista, São Paulo’s second Triple Crown jewel, though this year it will be run on October 18 at Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, because that Saturday is reserved for the Grand Premio Latinoamericano (G1), the highest-rated race in South American turf. Genetically, Star Do Iguassú may excel at distance. Not only is he by Outstrip (Exceed And Excel), but his maternal line suggests he can sustain his class. He carries a 5x5x5x5 inbreeding to Northern Dancer (Nearctic). His second dam, Super Electric (Choctaw Ridge), won 3 and placed in listed, G3, and G2 races. She produced Energia Halo and the globetrotting Energia Fox (Agnes Gold), who raced at Gávea, was second in the 2013 G.P. Latinoamericano in Santiago, and later ran in Europe and Dubai. She competed across three continents: South America, Europe, and the Middle East. This maternal line, {9‑h}, was imported by Haras Calunga via Sassy Miss (Sassafras) in the 1980s. She produced two classic winners and her daughters produced multiple black-type winners such as Sushi-Bar (Jato Dagua), a sprinter classic winner in 2003/04, and listed winners Super-Forte (Choctaw Ridge) and Super Hina (Choctaw Ridge). The structure behind these results adds clarity to the Pelanda family double and their turf dominance over recent seasons. This product, bred and owned by Haras Río Iguassú, is trained by Antonio Oldoni and ridden by Moreira. Their team executes an integrated program combining home breeding that prioritizes a specific type, producing year after year incredible, talented runners. Their sports operation maximizes their horses’ potential, especially with one of the world’s top jocks, “The Magic Man” João Moreira, significantly reducing the narrow margin for error. When a homebred wins the series’ first G1, it’s not mere fortune, it’s evidence the program works. And when it repeats with another homebred mare that afternoon, it becomes a trend. Summer Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten) on the outside, Veil (Can The Man) held on inside. The Barão de Piracicaba (G1) was highlighted as the peak of the São Paulo card, not only for the result but for the time. The fillies ran 1:32.89, a time 0.85 seconds faster than the colts. The race featured Veil (Can The Man), bred at Haras Santa Julieta in Aceguá for Dante Luiz Franceschi, now owner of Haras Belmont, setting the pace from the start. She was overtaken in the final strides by Summer Do Iguassú (Camelot Kitten) in a finish pitting bravery against the charging Rio Iguassú filly. The time comparison with the Ipiranga (G1) speaks volumes the female generation in Brazil is strong and fast. For the Pelanda operation, the win has added meaning. Their invincible Special Do Iguassú (Forestry) didn’t run, being not quite fit for this race, but the Haras chose to showcase another top-tier option and the plan paid off. The dam of Summer Do Iguassú is a daughter of Wild Event (Wild Again), her fourth foal and first stakes winner. All progeny by Camelot Kitten out of Wild Event mares show a 3x4 duplication to the dam North Of Eden (Northfields), dam of the late Wild Event and third dam of Haras Río Iguassú’s sire, located at Paraná. This cross also creates a 5x5 inbreeding to Northern Dancer (Nearctic). In Montevideo, Maroñas mirrored São Paulo’s pattern: hot early fractions, bold leaders, and characterful finishes, evidence that a breeding project, fueled by method and accumulation, became dominant over the weekend. The Polla de Potrancas (G3) went to Tantan Royal (Midshipman) over favorite Grandinata (Trinniberg), who had run the opening 4 furlongs in 45.49, paying for that early effort late. The filly, under Antonio Luiz Cintra’s team and ridden by Héctor F. Lazo of Haras Phillipson, managed the effort precisely, tracking in the second flight and producing a strong stretch run. She is now the generation’s leader. In a month, the GP Selección (G3) over 10 furlongs will be run, Tantan Royal could be the standout. Tantan Royal (Midshipman) passing from the outside. The genetic blueprint explains the outcome’s predictability. Tantan Royal is by Leca Princess (T. H. Approval), an unraced mare but perfect as a dam. Her first product, Sandrin Royal (Will Take Charge), is a three-time winner including a maiden, special handicap, and a G3 stakes. Her second is Tantan Royal , also a G3 winner. Looking ahead, she has a 2023 colt by Creative Cause (Giant’s Causeway), another shuttle stallion used by Haras Phillipson. The colt is named Timbrothers . However, the mare now resides at Haras Don Juca in Caraguatá, owned by Jorge and Santiago Jacobo of Stud El Caverna. In her pedigree appears a deliberate Caro duplication, 4x4 in her last 9 generations. It’s no accident but a choice by Benjamín Steinbruch, a passionate advocate of Caro . The second dam, Risk Adjusted (Ski Champ), won a race at Cidade Jardim and ran in listed and group races, adding toughness and speed. Add to this that Phillipson took Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) on shuttle in 2021 from Darley, and you see a precise formula: sire choice, maternal genetic definition with breed-leading duplication, heavy breeding investment, all delivering on track. The Polla de Potrillos (G3) followed the logic of efficiency outperforming flash-in-the-pan brilliance, Phillipson won the first leg of Uruguay’s Triple Crown for the third consecutive year. Rock Walk (2023) and the triple crown winner Suablenanav TH (2024), now Tadow Star (Midshipman), ridden by Luis Alberto Cáceres and trained by Brazilian Raimundo Soares, exclusive trainer for the operation. This colt had repeatedly followed stablemate Touch Of Destiny (Midshipman), now training in California for Michael McCarthy readying for the Nov. 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. Tadow Star (Midshipman) arriving to the winner’s circle. This time consistency became a title, he took the first jewel emphatically, by comfortable 3 lengths. His dam, Jada (T. H. Approval), continues the pattern. The Midshipman - T. H. Approval nick cross confirms the 4×4 Caro , while the dam adds a third line via Punk (Ringaro), a paternal grandson of the Irish breed leader, resulting in Caro 4x4x5. Second dam Redundancia (Punk) won twice at Cidade Jardim. Third dam Jalea (Two Harbors), bred in Argentina by Haras La Doma, is foundational to Phillipson’s mares under Benjamín. When these three selective duplication elements, proven maternal lines, and significant shuttle investment align, the chances of producing classic-caliber and uniform foals increase. Benjamín Steinbruch receiving the G3 Polla de Potranca’s trophy. The Steinbruch operation is at its peak, with homebreds, a triple crown winner in Kentucky, a 2-year-old ready for international mile competition, aiming for a second triple crown. A feat never seen in Uruguayan horse racing industry: back-to-back Triple Crown winners bred on the same farm. Phillipson’s success isn’t luck, it’s methodical. Years after entering Uruguay, they structured staff and processes, reformed prep training, and recently invested in an all-weather breaking track, a change directly impacting athlete quality entering training. That decision standardizes stimuli, reduces early unpredictability, and, above all, harmonizes communication between breeders and trainers. We recall their 2015 generation when mostly Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr. Prospector) offspring were produced via shuttle, the big investment ended in poorly favored, problematic juveniles underperforming on track. In Uruguay’s environment, that should’ve sparked concern; instead, they used it as healthy competitive tension and improved. In racing, no one is required to copy methods, but anyone contesting major classics is compelled to reassess their processes. Several common threads ran through Latin American tracks: the mile, whether at Palermo, Cidade Jardim, or Maroñas, remains the supreme athletic lab, testing a blend of speed and stamina. The 46.72 opening for 4 furlongs in the Buenos Aires Polla, the 1:32.89 by the fillies in São Paulo, and the 45.49 initial fraction by Grandinata in Montevideo, three distinct figures telling the same story: demanding distance punishes those who can’t convert speed into extension across a full trip. Those six winners came from four different owner-breeders. Is breeding ownership the most effective stable model? Should owners buy land, build facilities, and breed to win a G1? Integrated structures, breeding, training, and racing as a whole, best translate blueprints into winner’s circle photos and stakes trophies. Río Iguassú in Paraná, Brazil, and Phillipson in Lavalleja, Uruguay, apply consistent programs that, though different in style, share coherent methodology. Retaining their best foals is inevitable. Haras Gran Muñeca has produced three G1 winners in Argentina, Tan Gritona (Full Mast) , Full Keid  (Full Mast) , and now Moon Frank (Gidu), all for their turquoise and black silks; meanwhile, Full Serrano  (Full Mast) ran for them until sold to the U.S. and captured the latest Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Río Iguassú retains most of their annual production; Phillipson sells none of theirs, a tradition since founding in Brazil, continuing via operations in São Paulo, Argentina, and now Uruguay. A few American-market yearlings from Brownwood Farm have been sold, but they’re the exception because this market it’s worth it. Haras Río Iguassú’s facilities in Paraná, Brazil. And that’s not bad. It’s the rules of the game. Breeders possess racing’s most valuable asset, the maternal lines. Not just background, they’re the energy behind sustainable projects. Moon Sale at Gran Muñeca, Leca Princess at Phillipson, and Energia Halo at Río Iguassú, three mares with diverse profiles aligned in what matters: multiplicity. And breeding models that function sensibly in context: boutique sires with small books like Distinctiv Passion convert limited resources into high efficiency. Freshman sires like Gidu landing their first G1 sustain value with controlled supply. Shuttle sires aligned with a defined female genetic pattern like Midshipman with replicated 4x4 Caro create consistent crops and repeated success. Pedigree economics, like biomechanics, explain why some races are won. El Alfalfar invested in its own stallion and sustained him with internal mares; Gran Muñeca backed a freshman, controlled supply, and capitalized on the first G1; Río Iguassú built internal selection logic, aligned teams, and executed it precisely. Phillipson imported a shuttle sire, defined genetic matrices with Caro duplication, built a sandbox, and professionalized systems. None guarantee a G1, but they boost the odds that when a good colt or filly appears, the structure is ready. A closed recipe doesn’t exist; this weekend gave a candid answer: there is no recipe, there is method. A method that starts with a multiplying broodmare, goes through a sire that amplifies what she already offers, is trained by a team who believe, and validated by a clock that, when it says yes, arrives with the naturalness of good planning from the start. When that circle closes, six races like these happen. Even amid economies where purses aren’t strong, remember, the path remains the same: wise genetics, rigorous breeding, and courage to invest even when temptation says “wait.” In Buenos Aires, São Paulo, and Montevideo it was shown: when bets are made in the right order, results appear on time.

On Saturday, August 2nd, in the 98th running of the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, Sierra Leone  (Gun Runner) once again showcased the power of his sustained late run. Last after the first 5 furlongs of the race, Sierra Leone  traveled comfortably while Contrary Thinking  (Into Mischief) fulfilled his role as “pace-maker”, setting testing splits of 23.82 for the first 2 furlongs and 47.07 for the first 4. As the leaders collapsed after completing 6 furlongs in 1:11.59, the favorite Fierceness  (City of Light), forced to move too early, lost momentum 1½ furlongs from the wire. Sierra Leone  swung out to the six path, covered the final 3 furlongs in 34.40 and stopped the clock in 1:48.92 for the 9-furlong distance over a fast track, defeating Highland Falls  (Curlin) by one length. The card posted a record handle of U$S 49,651,341 and gave Chad C. Brown his first Whitney victory, along with a new “Win & You’re In” ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Classic via the Challenge Series. Bred in Lexington, Kentucky by Debby and John Oxley, Sierra Leone  was consigned by Gainesway at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. His flawless conformation and a pedigree blending the rising line of Gun Runner  (Candy Ride) with the precocious G1-winning mare Heavenly Love  (Malibu Moon) triggered aggressive bidding, ultimately selling for U$S 2,300,000 — a record price for that year’s sale. The winning bid came from the partnership of White Birch Farm (Peter Brant) and Michael Vincent Magnier, son of Coolmore principal John Magnier. “He’s a magnificent colt, by an emerging sire and out of a G1-winning filly at 2; everything added up to make the perfect horse,” said Brian Graves (Gainesway) after the auction, anticipating massive future value if the colt succeeded in stakes company. Indeed, Sierra Leone  has since fulfilled that promise, and the strategic planning from his connections has been clear: build classic prestige to set him up as the heir to his sire at Ashford Stud in Lexington, Kentucky. Sierra Leone  (Gun Runner) winning his third G1 at Saratoga, Saratoga Springs, New York. Two weeks prior to the race, Sierra Leone  breezed 4 furlongs in 48.80 on Saratoga’s main track. Chad C. Brown, multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer, noted that Sierra Leone  is perhaps “the best horse I’ve ever trained.” Even though the colt had gone winless in three previous Saratoga starts, Brown never doubted his affinity for the surface: “Looking at his numbers, I was never convinced he didn’t like this track; he just hadn’t won here yet. He’s been running against the best, in the Travers and Belmont Stakes, and posted some of his best speed figures at Saratoga.” Confident, Brown came into the Whitney with high hopes. The performance validated his expectations: biomechanically, Sierra Leone  recorded his best stride length of the year, showing his late kick is lethal when he hits top form. Video of Sierra Leone 's (Gun Runner) victory in the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. From the outset, Sierra Leone  has had an outstanding campaign, defined by his consistency at the top level. At 2, he made only two starts: a comfortable debut win and a runner-up effort behind Dornoch  (Good Magic) in the Remsen Stakes (G2) in December 2023, hinting at early class. At 3, he never finished off the board in seven starts, always facing elite company. His standout victories include the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds, Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, and the season finale triumph in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) against older rivals. He was second in the Kentucky Derby (G1), narrowly defeated by Mystik Dan  (Goldencents), and runner-up again in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga, behind Fierceness  (City Of Light) and ahead of Preakness winner Seize The Grey  (Arrogate). He also placed third in two marquee races: the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers Stakes (G1), both at Saratoga. This remarkable record earned him the 2024 Champion 3-Year-Old Male title in the United States, reflecting his generational dominance. In 2025, now a 4-year-old, Sierra Leone  remained competitive though expectations were even higher: he ran third in the New Orleans Classic (G2) and second in the Stephen Foster (G1) before snapping his winless streak in the Whitney. After that, his lifetime record stood at 12: 5 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, and $6,806,200 in earnings. Notably, he has never finished worse than third, a testament to his top-level consistency. With this latest win, he became the leading money earner among the offspring of Gun Runner  ( Candy Ride ), surpassing even his siblings: Taiba , Gun Pilot , Echo Zulu , Gunite , Early Voting , Il Miracolo , Disarm (who was 3rd in this Whitney), Society , Vahva , Cyberknife , among others. Beyond his flawless physique, Sierra Leone  possesses a blue-blood pedigree explaining both his hefty yearling price and elite racetrack performance. On the sire’s side, he is by Gun Runner  (Candy Ride), a young stallion from the Fappiano sire line, descending through Cryptoclearance  → Ride The Rails  → Candy Ride , who has quickly risen to the top of American breeding. Gun Runner  was a brilliant racehorse, winner of six G1s (including the 2017 Whitney Stakes and 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic), and was crowned 2017 "Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards". Since retirement, Gun Runner  has passed on his excellence to his progeny: in his early crops, he has already sired more than ten G1 winners. Known for speed but not limited to sprints, his average winning distance is around 7½ furlongs, and he excels at producing two-turn performers. Sierra Leone  is, to date, Gun Runner ’s most accomplished son. On the dam’s side, the genetics are equally elite. His dam, Heavenly Love , is by Malibu Moon  (A. P. Indy) and descends from a classic family. She won twice at 2, including the Alcibiades Stakes (G1) at Keeneland, demonstrating both precocity and stamina over 8½ furlongs. She hails from Darling My Darling  (Deputy Minister), a G1-placed mare and dam of G2 winner Forever Darling  (Congrats), who in turn produced multiple G1 winner Forever Young  (Real Steel) — the same colt involved in the controversial 2024 Kentucky Derby finish. These names reinforce the strength of this female line. This successful {2-b} family traces to Roamin Rachel  ( Mining ), a G1 winner bred in Kentucky and later exported to Japan after being sold for $750,000 to Shiraoi Farm by Nobuo Tsunoda. There, she produced champion Zenno Rob Roy  (Sunday Silence), a multiple G1 winner and Japan’s Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare in 2004. Heavenly Love  (Malibu Moon), dam of Sierra Leone  (Gun Runner), in the field. Sierra Leone  is the second foal from G1 winner Heavenly Love , who in 2024 produced a filly by Gun Runner , a full sister to this Coolmore sensation. The Gun Runner  - Heavenly Love  mating blends some of the most influential modern bloodlines: from Gun Runner  come the powerful lines of paternal grandsire Candy Ride  and maternal grandsire Giant’s Causeway ; from Heavenly Love  come the classic strength of A. P. Indy  (Seattle Slew) and Deputy Minister  (Vice Regent). In other words, Sierra Leone  carries the prized Candy Ride – A. P. Indy  nick, which has produced numerous blacktype winners in recent years: Game Winner , Taiba , Candivo , Ollie’s Candy , and Mastery , to name a few. Moreover, Gun Runner  already has successful crosses involving Candy Ride – Storm Cat , and Locked  is also by Gun Runner  out of a Malibu Moon  mare (A. P. Indy). It’s no coincidence that this cross contains duplications of Mr. Prospector  (Raise A Native) in Sierra Leone ’s pedigree. Gun Runner  carries a 4x4 inbreeding to Fappiano  (Mr. Prospector), while Heavenly Love  brings in her own 3x4 inbreeding to Mr. Prospector  via her damline ( Malibu Moon ’s dam and Mining ). This mating doesn’t create duplications between sire and dam, but features distinct “sireside only” and “damside only” inbreedings offset by one generation — namely Fappiano  at 5Sx5S and Mr. Prospector  at 4Dx5D. This yields an excellent genetic background with a low inbreeding coefficient. As Michael V. Magnier said after seeing him win: “He’s a very special horse; what he did last year was amazing, and he reaffirmed it today. We’re blessed to have him.” Genetically, Sierra Leone  had greatness in his blood. With a top sire, a G1-winning 2-year-old dam, and a regal pedigree, it’s no surprise he commanded $2.3 million as a yearling, and later earned several million more on the track. After the Whitney, plans for Sierra Leone  now turn toward sealing his legacy on the track before transitioning to stallion duty. Trainer Chad Brown indicated a possible run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on August 31 at Saratoga — another “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup — “since the horse hasn’t raced much this year and is in great shape.” Brown is confident: “I’m not afraid to run him back; if he comes out of this well, we have enough time before the Breeders’,” he said, hinting at another potential G1 win this summer. The ultimate target is, without doubt, the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Saturday, November 1 at Del Mar, where Sierra Leone  will attempt a historic feat: winning the Classic two years in a row. Only one horse in history has done that — the legendary Tiznow  ( Cees Tizzy ), who won the 2000 and 2001 editions. Pulling off that “double-event” would elevate Sierra Leone  to the pantheon of modern greats. Beyond the track, Coolmore acquired Sierra Leone  as a yearling with the clear intention of turning him into a stallion at their Ashford base in Lexington, Kentucky. Every campaign decision has been made to boost his stallion value: running in the brightest spotlights, proving durability at ages 2, 3, and 4, and winning prestigious stakes across distances and venues. So far, mission accomplished. With wins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and now the Whitney, a race his sire Gun Runner  won eight years earlier on his path to Horse of the Year, Sierra Leone  has built an ideal résumé for a future stud. His pedigree blends fresh and desirable blood, Candy Ride's, with proven classic lines, making him highly attractive to breeders worldwide. It is expected that following this year’s Breeders’ Cup, Sierra Leone  will retire and begin his new career in the Ashford stallion barn under Coolmore. With powerful genetics and the support of a global racing empire, he stands as one of the most promising young stallion prospects on the horizon of international breeding.

Special Do Iguassú  (Forestry) extended her unbeaten record to 5-for-5 in the Margarida Polak Lara – Taça de Prata  (G1), during a special day organized by the Brazilian Association of Breeders and Owners of Racehorses (ABCPCC) at the Cidade Jardim Racecourse in São Paulo. The Copa dos Criadores  day hosted by ABCPCC was a festival of Paraná-bred talent. João Moreira won five races, while Río Iguassú —the silks of Paulo and Luis Felipe Pelanda—won with Special Do Iguassú  (G1). Obataye  (Courtier) qualified for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano by winning the Mathias Machline  (G1), the fillies’ classic went to Q’luz Do Iguassú  (Forestry), and Tyrion  (Salto) captured a Listed Stakes. Moreira also won with Rick The Great  (Going Somewhere), completing a 1–2 for Haras Phillipson in a two-mile G3. João Moreira celebrating the G1 victory aboard Special Do Iguassú (Forestry). Boasting over 5,700 international wins, four-time champion in Hong Kong and twice in Japan, Moreira was raised near the eucalyptus groves of Curitiba. Whenever he returns to Brazil, he reconnects with the São Paulo fans—at Cidade Jardim the announcer nicknamed him “The Ghost of Cidade Jardim” because, back in early 2010, he seemed to win with any horse that wasn’t expected to. At the end of the day, still at Cidade Jardim, the Troféu Mossoró  ceremony honored him as the best jockey of Brazil’s 2024–2025 season. As soon as the gates opened, João Moreira took the lead with Special Do Iguassú , letting her settle comfortably off the pace while maintaining close contact with firm fractions. In the stretch, “The Magic Man” decisively challenged the leader, daily took over with ease—but Perfect Plastic  (Goldikovic), ridden by Dylan Machado on the inside, launched a sharp late run, adding drama to the final meters. Not to be denied, the Forestry filly dug in, showing the bravery and class that define her—holding off the challenge by a neck. She covered the mile in a superb time of 1:33.03, a new race record—even faster than the male winners posted just 30 minutes later. The record of Special Do Iguassú  (Forestry) is flawless: a win on debut in a conditional over 1,000m at Tarumã; a Listed Stakes at the same track; victory in the João Cecilio Ferraz  (G1) at São Paulo; and most recently the Pegasus Fillies  at Tarumã against quality fillies. Once again, she proved superior to all competitors. She is the undefeated standout of her generation and only needs to face Odalisca  (Sangarius), another unbeaten filly who won the Paula Machado  (G2) in Gávea during the international week of the Grande Prêmio Brasil—the highlights of Brazilian racing. Special Do Iguassú  also earned the "Troféu Mossoró" for “Best 2-Year-Old Filly” during Saturday night’s ceremony. Video of Margarida Polak Lara - Taca de Prata (G1) won by Special Do Iguassú (Forestry). Special Do Iguassú  was bred and is owned by Haras Río Iguassú, though her maternal line was developed at Haras Santa Maria de Araras. Back in 1977, Julio Bozano purchased Perusa  (Pardallo)—the fourth dam of our filly—for his Argentine operations. Her first foal, Sport Lady  (Banner Sport), won five races in Argentina, including the Gilberto Lerena  (G1). At the same Mar del Plata farms where she was born, Sport Lady  entered the broodmare band and produced Special Lady  (Lode), winner of two local conditional races. Exported to Brazil, she went on to G1 glory at Gávea, nearly achieving a triple crown: winning the Grande Prêmio Henrique Possolo  (G1), placing third in the Grande Prêmio Diana  (G1), and then capturing the Marciano de Aguiar Moreira  (G1). After retiring, Special Lady  was moved to Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul, as a broodmare where she produced black-type winners by sires like Wild Event  (Wild Again), Royal Academy  (Nijinsky), Ghadeer  (Lyphard), and Put It Back  (Honour and Glory). From Special Lady  and Wild Event  came Variety Lady , dam of our undefeated champion. Family {3‑b} is an iconic Argentine matriarchal line that traces back to Whirlwind  (Thormanby), imported in foal to Galliard  (Galopin) from England in 1884 by Santiago Luro. Whirlwind  was granddaughter of the prolific English producer Midia  (Scutari). In short, Whirlwind’s  pedigree embodied genetic excellence typical of elite breeders. Whirlwind  produced Asteria  (Gay Hermit), founder dam of Haras Ojo de Agua. She also produced Casiopea  (Kendal), winner of the Jockey Club  (G1) against males on grass at San Isidro, and shortly before had won on dirt against top fillies. Her daughter Dogaresa  (Your Majesty) produced Veneta  (Foxglove), whose descendants paired powerfully with the stallion Advocate  (Fair Trial), producing La Dogana , Venise  and Trevisa , all influential Argentine broodmares. In terms of broodmare value, being from such a prolific female family is a major asset—it often correlates with fertility and the ability to transmit class. Genetically, Special Do Iguassú  blends influential and complementary lineages. On the sire side, she is by Forestry  (Storm Cat), an American speed stallion who came to Latin America via shuttle: Argentina in 2010–2011, Peru in 2013, and then imported to Haras São José da Serra in Paraná in 2014. He stood until 2021 and died in December 2023 of old age. Forestry  delivers the speed and precocity of Storm Cat  (Storm Bird), known for muscular power and competitive spirit. He also carries through Pleasant Colony (His Majesty) on the dam side, adding size and stamina. This Storm Cat–Pleasant Colony blend gives Special Do Iguassú  a strong genetic frame: speed with middle-distance stamina. Given her quality female line, she should be capable of stretching out in distance. Dam-side, Variety Lady  is a daughter of champion Wild Event  (Wild Again), a multiple-time leading sire in Brazil and top broodmare sire. Wild Event , winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, is out of North of Eden  (Northfields), a prolific producer of middle-distance winners (about 10 furlongs), imparting stamina. He is half‑brother to U.S. grass champions Paradise Creek  and Forbidden Apple , combining Nearctic/Man o’ War via Wild Again and Northern Dancer via Northfields. Lode  (Mr. Prospector) adds stamina through the dam line plus the genetic influence of Raise a Native . In Special Do Iguassú’s  pedigree, Raise a Native  appears twice (5D × 5D) through Lode  and Banner Sport  (sire of Sport Lady ), creating a mild inbreeding on the dam’s side— Raise a Native  being recognized as a sire-of-sires for his speed. Special Lady  (G1 winner) earlier carried a stronger inbreeding (3S × 3D). There are also distant duplications of Northern Dancer , Storm Bird , and Northfields , which reinforce valuable genes while avoiding excessive inbreeding—a line-breeding strategy that yields consistency without loss of variety. Meanwhile, Storm Cat  and Wild Again  lines remain outcrossed to Mr. Prospector , adding genetic diversity. This mix of moderate line-breeding and outcross produces uniform offspring. Beyond racing success, Special Do Iguassú  would be a highly desirable broodmare. Considering her pedigree and known successful nicking patterns in the region, several Brazilian stallions could ideal complement her genetics—like Pim­per’s Paradise , Game Winner , or Courtier . Pimper’s Paradise  (Put It Back) brings strong stamina into a pedigree that lacks it. He is free of Storm Cat  and Mr. Prospector , creating low inbreeding (F≈2%). His dam, Bye Bye Caroline , adds the Nijinsky line via Royal Academy , known in South America for reinforcing stamina and turf adaptation—exactly what Special Do Iguassú  needs. This match combines Forestry’s  early acceleration with Pimper’s Paradise’s  proven stamina (winner of Brazil’s G1 Grande Prêmio and G1 Matias Machline), producing potentially versatile G1 foals. His family descends from Court Lady  (Locris), founder of the Stud TNT and the base dam of Doce Vale. Hypothetical mating between Pimper’s Paradise (Put It Back) and Special Do Iguassú (Forestry). Genetically, this cross generates a 5x5 duplication of Northern Dancer  and a Rasmussen Factor 4x5 involving the Reine-de-Course Crimson Saint  (Crimson Satan) of family {8‑c}. The duplication emerges through two distinct maternal lines, one via Royal Academy  (Nijinsky), the other via Terlingua  (Secretariat), mother of Storm Cat . Since the repeat occurs through both male and female lines, it balances chromosomal contribution without excessive homozygosity on the X chromosome, making Pimper’s Paradise  an excellent match for Special Do Iguassú . If the goal is to reinforce the Mr. Prospector /Raise a Native sire line, Game Winner  (Candy Ride) is a very attractive option—his first breeding season in Brazil is set for 2026. Plans include possible participation in the São Paulo Triple Crown, the equivalent Rio juvenile series early next year, and final retirement during Grande Prêmio Brasil  week. Crossing Special Do Iguassú  with Game Winner , the first son of Candy Ride  entering Brazilian breeding, would result in inbreeding 5x5 to Secretariat  (Bold Ruler). As discussed in the article about Game Winner’s  arrival in Brazilian bloodstock, the Candy Ride  × Storm Cat  cross is highly effective for classic winners, such as Gun Runner , Shared Belief , Sidney’s Candy , and Evita Argentina . On dam lines by Forestry , which are rare, Candy Ride’s  sire line has produced top foals like Ag Bullet  (G1 winner, U$S 1.6 million earnings), Chewing Gum  (G2 winner and G1 placed), and Candy Man Rocket  (G3 winner). Also notable is Courtier  (Pioneer of the Nile), a stallion well-known to the Pelanda family and sire of their standout Obataye . Courtier  comes from a maternal line featuring Coup de Génie  (Mr. Prospector), a French champion daughter of Coup de Folie  (Halo), central to family {2‑d}. A Courtier  × Special Do Iguassú  mating would repeat Mr. Prospector  only as a 5x5 inbreeding. Courtier’s  stud profile reinforces his appeal: his progeny include Dashing Court , São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul champion at two; Ethereum , named Brazil’s Horse of the Year and best 3-year-old filly in 2024–2025 (out of a dam by Wild Event , same maternal grandsire as Special Do Iguassú ); and Obataye , newly qualified for the Gran Premio Latinoamericano  (G1) at Gávea. Indeed, Courtier  over mares by Forestry  has already produced promising runners like Rihanna Do Iguassú , Grand Diamond  (two wins, U$S 9,200), and Crak Court  (one win and three placings at two). Luiz Felipe Pelanda, owner of Special Do Iguassú (Forestry) after winning the G1. On September 6 at Cidade Jardim, the Barão de Piracicaba  (G1)—the first leg of the São Paulo Triple Crown for fillies—will be run, and Special Do Iguassú  is firmly in the frame as a leading contender. With a springtime campaign approaching, the countdown is on. Race after race, rival quality rises—but none have beaten her yet. In the São Paulo Triple Crown, the ultimate truth awaits. Special Do Iguassú  is truly special, because "she doesn’t just run, she parades."