The last 20 years of the $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint produced five editions decided by a neck or less and eight winners who paid $24.60 or higher for a $2 win bet. The most important sprint race in North America typically is a very exciting horse race.
Author: News
Chaldean Joins his Sire Frankel at Banstead Manor Stud
Frankel (GB) is being joined on the Juddmonte roster at Banstead Manor Stud by his Classic-winning son Chaldean (GB) for the 2024 season.
Bred by Whitsbury Manor Stud, Chaldean was a 550,000gns foal purchase by Juddmonte and one of five black-type horses out of the Dutch Art (GB) mare Suelita (GB). The winner of four of his five starts at two, the Andrew Balding-trained colt landed the G3 Acomb S. and G2 Champagne S. before emulating his sire by signing off last year with victory in the G1 Dewhurst S.
His intended first start at two in the G3 Greenham S. ended in ignominious fashion when Frankie Dettori was unseated on exiting the stalls, but the duo quickly made amends when landing the 2,000 Guineas. Chaldean became the 18th horse since 1874 to complete the Dewhurst-Guineas double, joining a list of great names such as Nijinsky, El Gran Senor, Zafonic, Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire), and of course Frankel, making this a unique father-son double.
“Chaldean is just a dream horse; the most professional, uncomplicated, and beautifully balanced horse we have had during his time at Kingsclere,” said Balding.
“He showed unusual improvement through his unique sequence of prestigious wins in the Acomb Stakes, Champagne Stakes and the Dewhurst Stakes at two years old only to improve again to win the 2000 Guineas before his turning three.”
Simon Mockridge, general manager of Juddmonte UK, added, “We would like to extend special thanks to Andrew Balding and the teams at Kingsclere and Juddmonte for guiding and skilfully developing the racing career of Chaldean.
“We look forward to welcoming our Classic winner Chaldean as the first son of Frankel to stand at Banstead Manor Stud, further strengthening Juddmonte's European stallion roster.”
The post Chaldean Joins his Sire Frankel at Banstead Manor Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Catching Up with 2006 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Round Pond
John Ferguson acquired Round Pond on behalf of Darley for $5.75 million at Fasig-Tipton's fall sale in 2007. The elegant bay produced two stakes winners for the Darley/Godolphin banner–MSW & GISP Long River (A.P. Indy) and SW & GSP Lake Lucerne (Dubawi {Ire})–while an unraced daughter produced 2022 GI Carter H. winner Speaker's Corner. The latter, a Godolphin homebred by home stallion Street Sense, stood his first season in the Darley stud barn alongside his sire this year.
“Round Pond is a sweet girl,” said Darley's Gainsborough division farm manager Danny Mulvihill, “but is pretty low on the totem pole. She will come for food but likes to play hard to catch! I am sure I have heard her 'laughing' as she runs away from you. She tends to be happy with her own company and doesn't need a whole lot of attention. She is another fan favorite when the tours come through.”
Round Pond (2002 bay mare, Awesome Again–Gift of Dance, by Trempolino)
Lifetime record: MGISW, 13-7-2-3, $1,998,700
Breeders' Cup connections: B-Trudy McCaffery & John Toffan (KY); O-Fox Hill Farms, Inc.; T-Michael Matz; J-Edgar Prado.
Current location: Darley America, Lexington, Ky.
The post Catching Up with 2006 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Round Pond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Catching Up with 2004 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Ashado
Ashado's Breeders' Cup win in 2004 was sandwiched by placings both the year prior and the year after. The grand mare's 11 black-type wins included seven Grade Is, ranging from the Spinaway at two to the Kentucky Oaks at three and the Ogden Phipps at four. No wonder John Ferguson went to $9 million–then a world record–for her at the 2005 Keeneland November sale on behalf of Darley. Her final foal, a Bernardini yearling, is a full-brother to her stakes winner Westwood.
“She is the dominant mare in her retired group,” said Danny Mulvihill, farm manager at Darley's Gainsborough division. “No matter who is added to the group, she remains 'Top Dog'. With that being said, she is very easy to deal with and is a sweetheart but will let you know when she is not happy about something. She loves attention and is extremely food driven! She is definitely an easy keeper. She was a great mom to all of her babies and is now enjoying a happy retirement. She is, of course, one of the fan favorites when the tours come through.”
Ashado (2001 dark bay or brown mare, Saint Ballado–Goulash, by Mari's Book)
Lifetime record: Ch. 3yo filly, Ch. older mare, MGISW, 21-12-4-3, $3,931,440
Breeders' Cup connections: B-Aaron U. Jones & Marie D. Jones (KY); O-Starlight Stable LLC, Paul Saylor, and Johns Martin; T-Todd Pletcher; J-John Velazquez.
Current location: Darley America, Lexington, Ky.
The post Catching Up with 2004 Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Ashado appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
