In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Hong Kong Harry at Santa Anita last week.
Hong Kong Harry Returns A Winner In City Of Hope
Prolific graded winner Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) returned to winning ways in Santa Anita's GII City of Hope Mile S. for trainer Phil D'Amato and owners Scott Anastasi, Jimmy Ukegawa and Tony Valazza at the end of September (video). It was his fourth win at the graded level since being transferred to the U.S. in March of 2022.
Bred by Amarath Business Management out of the multiple stakes-placed Vital Body (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), the 6-year-old gelding won multiple handicaps in the UK, and was a £185,000 Goffs London Sale buy-back during his time with owner/trainer Richard Fahey in 2021. When he was reoffered by the trainer later that year at the 2021 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, he made 85,000gns from Craig Rounsefell's Boomer Bloodstock. Vital Body has also thrown the stakes-placed Body Sculpt (Fr) to the cover of Kendargent (Fr) and her latest is a weanling filly by Starman (GB). This is the same clan as G2 Prix du Gros-Chene hero Pradaro (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}) and Australian Group 1 winner Offer (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
One of just 80 foals for his sire who was last reported to be standing in France, Hong Kong Harry is his only graded winner and one of two stakes winners besides listed winner Que Amoro (Ire). Es Que Love has two winners from two runners in the U.S.
Diminutive Hong Kong Harry Rallies For Solid Neck Victory In Grade II, $200,000 City Of Hope Mile pic.twitter.com/uvGt5greUv
— Santa Anita Park (@santaanitapark) October 1, 2023
Gavea Remains Undefeated At Churchill
Bal Mar Equine, LLC's Gavea (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}), a debut winner at Chantilly for Christoph Berglar and trainer Waldemar Hickst in July, marked her U.S. unveiling with another victory, this time at Churchill Downs on Sept. 29 (video).
Now trained by Al Stall, Jr., the 2-year-old filly was bred by Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof and was bought back by her vendor for €36,000 out of the BBAG September Yearling Sale after not meeting her reserve. She is a half-sister to a pair of winners and is the last reported foal of her German listed-winning dam, the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Goiania (GB). Goiania is a half-sister to two stakes winners, the trio all produced by German Group 3 heroine Goathemala (Ger) (Black Sam Bellamy {Ire}).
Gleneagles is quietly accumulating a solid stallion resume with his progeny worldwide, and he is responsible for 13 winners from 19 runners (68%) in the U.S. His American brigade is led by GI Man o'War S. hero Highland Chief (Ire), while Jumbly (GB) was third in the GII Ballston Spa S. and Eylara (Ire) was listed placed in California.
The German-bred #9 Gavea stays perfect in her U.S. debut in R8 at Churchill Downs for trainer Al Stall with @Tyler_Gaff aboard!
#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/v9CYhH7ptK
— TwinSpires Racing
(@TwinSpires) September 29, 2023
Gold To The North East In California
CYBT, Marc Lantzman, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano's North East Star (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) graduated in her fifth start at Santa Anita on Sept. 30 (video). One of two European-sired winners on the card for trainer Phil D'Amato, the filly was bred by McCracken Farms.
A £17,000 Tattersalls Ireland yearling buy by subsequent owner/trainer Kate McGivern, the April foal is out of Northeast Moon (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), herself a half-sister to G1 Dubai World Cup hero Prince Bishop (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Her only European appearance was a fifth at Dundalk over the all-weather before she changed hands. Her dam's 2-year-old filly, Circe (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) has already won this term, while her yearling filly by Ghaiyyath (Ire) caught the eye of Alex Elliott for 140,000gns during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A weanling filly by Sottsass (Fr) is her latest foal.
Group 1 sire Galileo Gold has a 75% strike rate with his four American runners. Among his three winners in that jurisdiction is Listed Baffle S. winner Maglev (Ire).
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