Darley America | Horse Racing Free Tips

Travers Hero Alpha Comes To Old Friends

Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky welcomed Godolphin's GI Travers S. hero Alpha (Bernardini) on Friday, Dec. 8, the retirement farm said in a release Saturday.

Bred by Darley in America, Alpha was trained by Kiaran P. McLaughlin and owned by Godolphin his entire career. He finished with a record of six wins and $1,815,667 in earnings over 22 starts, which included the first dead heat in the Travers since 1874.

Alpha began his stud career in 2015 at Sequel Stallions in New York, before moving to Haras Bagé do Sul in Brazil in 2019. He returned stateside and arrived in Florida Nov. 29, where he completed quarantine. Shipping to Kentucky, the recent retiree was inspected to ensure he was in good condition and then sent to Old Friends.

“While Alpha was small in stature, he was big in heart,” said Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA. “He was a Saratoga specialist, winning multiple graded races there during his career. He became the second Travers winner for our stable, with his sire, Bernardini, being the first. But it's also special being able to facilitate his return to Kentucky and Old Friends.”

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Cody’s Wish To Stand For $75,000, Proxy For $25,000 Says Darley America

MGISW Cody's Wish (Curlin), who just won yesterday's GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile for the second year in a row, will stand at Darley America's Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky next season for $75,000, along with fellow new stallion GISW Proxy (Tapit) whose fee will be set at $25,000, the breeding operation said in a release early Sunday morning.

“You couldn't have written a better script on how Cody's Wish would end his sensational career,” said Darley Sales Manager Darren Fox. “He always, always, left all he had on the track. And the human component of this story makes it all that more special. And with the addition of the ever-consistent, GI-winning Proxy to our roster, we once again have two more excellent homebreds joining us for the 2024 breeding season.”

The son of Curlin, who captured hearts through his relationship with Cody Dorman, won 11 of 16 starts and was never off of the board. His three other GI wins were in the Met Mile, Forego S. and Churchill Downs S. and the 5-year-old will retire with earnings in excess of $3 million. Cody's Wish is out of GI Frizette S. winner Dance Card, who was third in the GI Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint.

As for Proxy, he won six times over 20 starts, including victories in the GI Clark S. at Churchill Downs and a runner-up finish in the GI Santa Anita H. Yesterday in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the 5-year-old son of Tapit rallied to secure third place.

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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.

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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.

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