Cover image courtesy of The Kentucky Derby
United States of America
McPeek claims Derby and Oaks
The 150th running of the G1 Kentucky Derby didn’t disappoint with a thrilling nose win by Mystik Dan (USA) (Goldencents {USA}) on Saturday.
After winning his first G1 Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna (USA) (Fast Anna {USA}) on Friday, Mystik Dan gave trainer Ken McPeek his first G1 Kentucky Derby. Ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jnr, the 3-year-old colt led down the straight and clung on by a nose from the fast-finishing pair of Sierra Leone (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}).
“Brian (Hernandez Jnr) just did an amazing job. I mean, just a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant ride,” McPeek said. “Brian’s amazing. Probably one of the most underrated riders in racing. But not anymore.”
Mystik Dan took his record to three wins from seven starts with earnings over US$3.7million (AU$5.6million) and had run third in the G1 Arkansas Derby last start.
A very close finish by Mystik Dan | Image courtesy of the Kentucky Derby
The win was also the first Kentucky Derby for Hernandez. “This is unbelievable,” Hernandez said. “That was the longest few minutes of my life, waiting for them to post that photo. This is a lifetime achievement, this goes to our whole family... To be able to live that dream that I had when I was a 6-year-old kid, riding my bike around my grandparents farm and telling them I was going to win the Kentucky Derby one day, well, here we are.”
Hernandez is the first rider since Calvin Borel completed the Oaks-Derby double on Rachel Alexandra (USA) (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}) and Mine That Bird (USA) (Birdstone {USA}) in 2009.
A homebred for Lance Gasaway and the 4G Racing team of Brent Gasaway (Lance’s cousin) and Brent’s wife Sharilyn, along with Daniel Hamby III and his brother, Scott Hamby of Valley View Farm, Mystik Dan is by Goldencents, a son of Into Mischief (USA) who stands at Spendthrift Farm. Mystik Dan is his second Group 1 winner and he now has 29 stakes winners from seven crops to race.
“Brian’s amazing. Probably one of the most underrated riders in racing. But not anymore.” - Ken McPeek
Mystik Dan is the only foal of four-time winning mare Ma’am (USA) (Colonel John {USA}) who is a half-sister to Hong Kong Listed placed winner Renaissance Art (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}), and Ma’am’s dam is a 2-year-old winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Siphonic (USA) (Siphon {Brz}) and Listed winner Mountain Girl (USA) (Mountain Cat {USA}).
Of note for pedigree enthusiasts, Sierra Leone and Forever Young share the same second dam, Listed winner Darling My Darling (USA) (Deputy Minister {Can}). Not only is Darling My Darling a half-sister to G1 Japan Cup winner Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn) (Sunday Silence {USA}), but her two Derby-placed grand-progeny are both out of her stakes-winning daughters.
Sierra Leone is out of her Group 1 winner daughter Heavenly Love (USA) (Malibu Moon {USA}), while Forever Young is out of Darling My Darling's Group 2 winner Forever Darling (USA) (Congrats {USA}). Darling My Darling left seven winners from as many to race with the two afore-mentioned fillies being her only stakes winners.
The running of the G1 Kentucky Derby didn’t disappoint with a thrilling nose win by Mystik Dan (USA) | Image courtesy of the Kentucky Derby
Just Steel (USA) (Justify {USA}) out of Australian Group 1 winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock), who had been second in the G1 Arkansas Derby, finished eighth.
Vahva downs rival to sprint clear in G1 Distaff S.
Second in the G1 Madison S. at her 4-year-old season debut last start, Vahva (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) went one better on Derby Day to win the G1 Distaff S. over 1400 metres on a sloppy dirt track at Churchill Downs on Saturday. Second, 2l behind, was 4-year-old mare Alva Starr (USA) (Lord Nelson {USA}) who had won the Madison the start prior, while third place went to Flying Connection (USA) (Nyquist {USA}).
Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr, who won three of the first six races on the card, Vahva sat behind the leader Alva Starr until the home straight where she headed off her main rival and pushed through to win.
“That was an unbelievable performance," trainer Cherie DeVaux said. "To win a Group 1 on this type of stage is so special. It’s really hard to describe. I’m just so happy with everyone involved with this horse and our team.” This was her second career Group 1 win as a trainer and first in America.
From Gun Runner’s second crop, Vahva was previously a Group 2 winner before Saturday’s Group 1 win and becomes Gun Runner’s 9th Group 1 winner. He has 28 stakes winners in total.
Vahva is the sixth foal and fifth winner for Listed winner and Group 1-placed mare Holiday Soiree (USA) (Harlan’s Holiday {USA}), who has also produced Listed placed winner Signal From Noise (USA) (Arrogate {USA}). Holiday Soiree is a half-sister to Listed winner Marquee Prince (USA) (Cairo Prince {USA}).
Vahva (USA) | Image courtesy of Churchill Downs
She was sold by Woodford Thoroughbreds (as agent) at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for US$280,000 (AU$424,000) to BDR IV & West Point. Winning the G1 Distaff S. took her record to five wins from 12 starts for earnings of US$1.5 million (AU$2.27million).
Gun Pilot gives Gun Runner a Group 1 double on Derby Day
Trainer Steve Asmussen set 4-year-old colt Gun Pilot (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}) an ambitious target with the G1 Churchill Downs S. on Saturday at Churchill Downs, as the colt had never won a stakes race previously and had only run in two Listed races with second placings in both. The colt delivered on the ambitions with an emphatic 2.5l victory, cruising past front running pair Here Mi Song (USA) (Cross Traffic {USA}) and Zozos (USA) (Munnings {USA}).
“This is so special. It is very special for Mr. (Goncalo) Torrealba (of Three Chimneys Farm). This is a special horse. I really believe in him,” said Asmussen. The homebred for Three Chimneys Farm ran the 1400 metres in 1:21.95 on a fast track and gave his sire a second Group 1 win for the day.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m really excited, I’ve been looking for this Group One for a long time,” said jockey Cristian Torres. The win was his first at Group 1 level.
“I just come to ride. I study my races, I do my homework. I just come out here to do the best job that I can. I’m very happy that I finally got one. Gun Pilot is a great horse. The Asmussen team spotted him very well. He’s an easy horse to ride.”
“I don’t know what to say. I’m really excited, I’ve been looking for this Group One for a long time.” - Cristian Torres
Gun Pilot took his record to fifth wins from 11 starts with earnings over US$975,000 (AU$1.47million).
Three Chimneys Farm purchased Gun Pilot’s unraced dam Bush Pilot (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}) for US$425,000 (AU$643,000) at the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. A half-sister to Group 2 winner Global View (USA) (Galileo {Ire}), Bush Pilot’s third dam Call Me Fleet (USA) (Afleet {USA}) is the second dam of Australian Listed winners Born To Rock (Fastnet Rock) and Prettyhappyaboutit (Magnus).
Program Trading wins a tight battle for G1 Turf Classic
Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables and trainer Chad Brown enjoyed a fourth winner of the 1800 metre G1 Turf Classic S. in the last six years when Program Trading (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) edged out Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) by a short head at Churchill Downs on Saturday. The two went head-to-head all the way down the straight in a tightly fought battle with Webslinger (USA) (Constitution {USA}) in third.
The win took Program Trading’s record to five wins from six starts with earnings over US$1.28million (AU$1.94million). This was his first run in 2024, and he won both the G1 Hollywood Derby and G1 Saratoga Derby at three last year.
“We had a great trip and were able to save ground as much as we could,” said jockey Flavien Prat. “I didn’t want to go too wide. He’s a very handy horse, so that makes my job easier.”
One of 127 stakes winners for Lope De Vega, Program Trading was purchased by Mike Ryan (agent) from Fittocks Stud at the 2021 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 250,000 guineas (AU$522,000).
Program Trading is the fourth foal of 2-year-old winning mare Dreamlike (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), whose first foal He’s Our Bonneval (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a city winner in Australia this season. Dreamlike is a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Silk Sari (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and to the unraced dam of G1 VRC Oaks winner Zardosi (Kingman {GB}).
Other black type winners on Derby Day
On the supporting card, the G2 Twin Spires S. was won by Cogburn (USA) (Not This Time {USA}), the G2 Distaff Turf Mile was won by Chili Flag (Fr) (Cityscape {GB}), the G2 Pat Day Mile S was won by Seize The Grey (USA) (Arrogate {USA}), the G2 American Turf S was won by Trikari (USA) (Oscar Performance {USA}), and the Listed Knicks Go S was won by Strong Quality (USA) (Quality Road {USA}).
Europe
Unbeaten Notable Speech wins the G1 2000 Guineas
It was an unbeaten horse who won the G1 2000 Guineas in England overnight, but not the one that punters had favoured. Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) conquered the Newmarket Classic by 1.5l, while hot-favourite City Of Troy (USA) (Justify {USA}) was disappointing in fading up in the final furlong to be beaten by 5l.
Last year's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) was second with Rosallion's stablemate Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) 1.75l away in third.
“I hadn't known him for that long–I only rode him in February but I haven't believed in a horse as much as this guy,” jockey William Buick said. “I kept going home thinking 'have I lost the plot altogether?' as he has an incredible change of gear and does things so easily. The race couldn't have worked out any better and I've gone close a couple of times in this, so it's nice to win it. He's an out-and-out miler and all about speed–he has a great mindset and is going to keep on improving as well.”
Notable Speech became the first horse since 1938 to win this Classic without having raced at two and took his record to four wins from four starts, and this was his first run in stakes class.
“You don't see too many come off an all-weather success to a Guineas success and we've given him all the time he needed, thinking he was a good horse,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “He was still far too weak to do anything with last summer, but as always I'm in the very privileged position to be allowed to give the horses the time that they need with no pressure.”
There will be no Guineas-Derby double in 2024, with Appleby looking at Royal Ascot now. “I'd be surprised if we went beyond a mile and I'd imagine it will be the St James's Palace next, but as always we'll let the dust settle and let everyone enjoy themselves and speak to all connections,” Appleby said.
Notable Speech wins the G1 2000 Guineas | Image courtesy of Magnolia Bloodstock
Dubawi now has four G1 2000 Guineas winners as a sire, and this gives hope to those who love City Of Troy, as Dubawi himself was a Group 1 winning Champion 2-Year-Old who failed in the G1 2000 Guineas. Notable Speech becomes his 272nd stakes winner and his 58th individual Group 1 winner. His other G1 2000 Guineas winners are Makfi (GB), Night Of Thunder (Ire), and Coroebus (Ire).
Notable Speech is the first foal of Swift Rose (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who was a winner and placed in the G3 UAE Oaks. She has a yearling filly by Pinatubo (Ire) and a filly foal by Dubawi. Swift Rose is out of Listed winner Tulips (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), making her a half-sister to Group 1 winner Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Group 3 winner Desert Wisdom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})
The two supporting stakes races on the card were the G3 Palace House S. won by 3-year-old gelding Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and the Listed Ellen Chaloner Kilvington S. won by 4-year-old mare Unequal Love (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}).
Japan
Roughly run G1 NHK Mile Cup won by last year’s Champion 2-year-old
Several 3-year-olds had their chances upset in the G1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo on Sunday with plenty of pushing and shoving in the home straight, but it was last year’s Champion 2-year-old Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice {USA}) who prevailed by 2.5l to win his second career Group 1. 3-year-old filly Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) was second with 3-year-old colt Logi Leon (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) a neck away in third.
Unbeaten in three starts at two, Jantar Mantar had placed in both his first two starts at three, and Sunday’s win was his first win as a 3-year-old. Previously, his trainer Tomokazu Takano had stated that the drop back a mile would likely suit him, and he was proven correct.
Jantar Mantar is the first foal of G3 Red Carpet H. winner India Mantuana (USA) (Wilburn {USA}) who was purchased by Shadai Farm at the 2020 Keeneland January Breeding Sale for US$100,000 (AU$151,000). Her dam and second dam were both Listed winners, making her purchase incredibly astute.
Palace Malice (USA), a dual Group 1-winning son of Curlin (USA), entered stud in 2016 in Kentucky at Three Chimneys Farm. In December 2023, it was announced Palace Malice had been transferred to Darley Japan. He is the sire of 13 stakes winners, including the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Structor (USA) and the dual Group 1 winner Jantar Mantar (Jpn).
