Storm Song, the Oldest Living Breeders’ Cup Winner

Celebrating 40 Years of the Breeders' Cup with Living Legends

Some moments last a lifetime. Breeders' Cup wins are like that. They affect everyone associated with the horse, from owners whose silks the horse sports in the race to breeders to consignors to grooms to farriers and so many others. They even touch those many years down the road, such as those who care for the winner more than a quarter century removed from that magical winner's circle and those signature purple and gold flowers. It is, without a doubt, a privilege to have any association at all with a Breeders' Cup winner.

Dr. Naoya Yoshida of Winchester Farm embraces that honor. He has charge of 1996 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Storm Song, believed to be the Breeders' Cup's oldest living winner. The 29-year-old mare has been at his Winchester Farm near Lexington since Dr. Aaron Sones purchased her in 2009.

“We were quite excited to welcome her to our farm,” said Yoshida.” Of course we feel pretty privileged to have these kind of mares.”

Yoshida is a veterinarian and fourth-generation horseman whose family ties to the Thoroughbred industry date back 125 years to his great-grandfather, who bred horses in the U.S. and Europe.

“It's amazing when we work in the Thoroughbred industry, we have this history. I remembered this mare when she was sold at Keeneland November as broodmare prospect [in 1997]. I was training at Hagyard and saw her and never thought I would take care of her in the future. After that I saw her name with a breeding to Dubai Millennium (GB). I used to work for Sheikh Mohammed and saw him try to buy those mares. And the next time I saw her name, she came here [to Winchester Farm]. I feel like it was destiny.”

Winchester's Dr. Naoya Yoshida with Storm Song | Sarah Andrew

Now pensioned after producing six foals during her tenure at Winchester, Storm Song was campaigned by pioneering racing syndicate Dogwood Stable. Dogwood's Cot Campbell, who was a master at finding horses that might have slipped just a little bit through the cracks, bought Storm Song from Lane's End's Book 1 consignment at Keeneland September for $100,000 in 1995. She turned out to be one of the brightest stars to carry the distinctive Dogwood Stable colors, behind her own sire, Dogwood's GI Preakness S. winner Summer Squall. Dogwood had Storm Song for just over two years, selling her as a broodmare prospect at the 1997 Keeneland November sale for $1.4 million to J. S. Carrion. Sandwiched between those two times the filly went through the ring were umpteen thrills for Dogwood partners.

“It was the greatest thrill you can imagine when she won that race [the Breeders' Cup],” said Anne Campbell, co-owner of Storm Song with her late husband, Dogwood founder Cot. “We were particularly thrilled because she was by our wonderful racehorse, Summer Squall, who of course won the Preakness in 1990, so it was just one of the thrills of our lifetime.

“Ironically, Cot woke up about three in the morning [of the race] with vertigo, just sick as a dog. I don't think he felt very well at all during the day, but he forgot about that [when she won]. I remember thinking the paddock in Toronto at Woodbine was so incredibly lovely and classy. The people, the demeanor, just the atmosphere of the whole place. It was a wonderful experience and we were overjoyed that she was clearly going to win before she got to the finish line.”

The year that Storm Song got her Breeders' Cup title was, perhaps, a simpler time. The Breeders' Cup was in only its 13th year in 1996, was being held at Woodbine–the first and only time it was hosted outside of U.S. borders–and was still in its original seven-race, one-day format. The Juvenile Fillies was the first Breeders' Cup race on the card that October day with the looming presence of Cigar's final career start in the Classic just under four hours away.

Yoshida with Storm Song | Sarah Andrew

The 8-5 Juvenile Fillies favorite off a four-length romp in the GI Frizette S. just 20 days prior, Storm Song waited midpack in the Juvenile Fillies, tipped out on the turn, and mowed down her Nick Zito stablemate Love That Jazz (Dixieland Band) to glide clear by 4 1/2 lengths with her ears pricked. Even the Equibase chart called it a “perfect trip.” Storm Song was a no-brainer to be named that year's Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly off the merits of her two Grade I wins, with an extra score in the GII Adirondack S. for good measure. Despite placings at three in both the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Ashland S., Storm Song never won again and retired after finishing unplaced in the GI Acorn S. at the end of May in 1997. Less than six months later, she was purchased by Carrion.

“We were practical about selling horses when the time came for us to sell them because we weren't in the breeding business,” said Campbell. “It wasn't our thing. We never looked back, we were always glad and so grateful for those horses for what they did. It's a business, so you can't be too sentimental, but you can still love them.”

Storm Song's first foal, Another Storm (Gone West), fetched $1 million as a Keeneland September yearling and would go on to produce European champion Order of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), as well as GSWs Angel Terrace (Ghostzapper) and Asperity (War Chant). As one of the mares selected for what would be the single and abbreviated book of the brilliant Dubai Millennium, Storm Song was eventually purchased privately by Darley and traveled a good deal during her broodmare career, making three separate trips to Great Britain and even a sojourn to Japan, where she produced her Dubai Millennium daughter before being sent back to Kentucky with a Sunday Silence filly in utero.

She sold again in 2009 to Sones at Keeneland November for $100,000, which is where Yoshida enters her story. Storm Song produced six foals for Sones, including 2016 GI Wood Memorial S. runner-up Trojan Nation (Street Cry {Ire}). Her last foal is the now-5-year-old My Favorite Uncle (Uncle Mo), whose most recent race was a second-place finish at Belterra Park Sept. 20 for Joshua Galindo and trainer Climaco Galindo-Torres. Yoshida raised each of those six.

“She produced good-looking foals,” said Yoshida. “She was a good teacher to me and the farm crew, to see what a good-quality horse is. She's also proven as a broodmare herself.

“She is easy to handle, however, she has kind of a strong personality. She has the dignity of a Grade I-level mare. She's not difficult, but uses her strong personality to show us what she wants to do.”

Storm Song flanked by My Trusty Cat to her left and Plaisir des Yeux to her right | Sarah Andrew

Yoshida keeps Storm Song turned out with 2005 GI Humana Distaff H. winner My Trusty Cat (Tale of the Cat) and 1997 G1 Prix Marcel Boussac-placed Plaisir des Yeux (Fr) (Funambule). The trio are enjoying pensioned life together.

“We keep them in a big field by a creek and forest to keep them calmed down. They gallop so hard, considering their age. We pay very good attention to their feet and change their feeding program if necessary because of cold or hot weather, but these mares are in very good shape. They really don't need special care.”

Yoshida was asked about the first words that come to his mind when he thinks of his Breeder's Cup-winning charge.

“Sophistication. She has a very beautiful eye and face and good conformation. Balance. Dr. Sones still keeps a few daughters of Storm Song, so the story of Storm Song is still going. Hopefully we can give more exciting news from this family.”

The post Storm Song, the Oldest Living Breeders’ Cup Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Golden Sixty Half-Sister Booked To Medaglia d’Oro

Golden Sister (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), a 3-year-old half-sister to dual Hong Kong Horse of the Year, seven-time Group 1 winner and $16-million earner Golden Sixty (Aus), will be bred to the latter's Darley America-based stallion Medaglia d'Oro to Northern Hemisphere time in 2023. The news was confirmed by Denys Chan, agent for All Winners Thoroughbreds, who purchased the filly for A$425,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2021, and Darley's Darren Fox.

Like Golden Sixty, Golden Sister was bred by the Hutchins family's Asco International Pty Ltd. and was offered by Element Hill at the Gold Coast sale a matter of weeks after Golden Sixty knocked out his first top-level victory in the Longines Hong Kong Mile. Element Hill's Josh Hutchins always held the Capitalist filly in high regard, telling TDNAusNZ, “She's probably one of the best types on our farm. She is up there with one of the best-looking foals we have had,” following Golden Sixty's win in the 2020 Hong Kong Classic Mile, four months after Golden Sister was foaled.

According to the Australian Stud Book, the bay filly was exported to the U.S. July 27, 2022–a trip that included stops in Doha, Amsterdam and Chicago–and took up residence at Dr. Naoya and Marie Yoshida's Winchester Farm in Lexington a short time later. Marie Yoshida often represents Asian interests at Australian bloodstock sales and hip 336 was very much on her radar at the Gold Coast.

“I always try to inspect many yearlings by new, young stallions and the Capitalist filly was very attractive and made my short list,” Marie Yoshida said. “I gave her an A+ for conformation and walk.”

Ironically, Marie Yoshida maintains a close relationship with the Liang family, owners of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who denied Golden Sixty a third straight victory in the Hong Kong Mile last December.

Capitalist, a son of Written Tycoon (Aus), was named a 'TDN Rising Star' after winning in listed company on debut in October 2015 and added the G1 Longines Golden Slipper S. the following March. From just three crops of racing age, he is the sire of 10 black-type winners, four at the group level, including juvenile Group 1 winner Captivant (Aus).

Yoshida said that it took Golden Sister a few weeks to acclimatize to her new surroundings and 'make new friends', but has now settled into life in the Bluegrass as she awaits her date at Darley.

“She is average size and Medaglia d'Oro will complement her very well,” Yoshida said. “It is nice that we have plenty of experience with Southern Hemisphere fillies.”

Chan confirmed that Golden Sister will remain in the Northern Hemisphere for the immediate future.

Andrew Hawkins contributed to this story

The post Golden Sixty Half-Sister Booked To Medaglia d’Oro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Point Me By Gets First Graded Stakes Win In Bruce D At Arlington

With only two starts in his short career, Point Me By made his third outing a Grade 1 winning one, taking the Grade 1 Bruce D Stakes (formerly run as the Secretariat Stakes) at Arlington Park on what may be its final Arlington Million card. Facing a field of nine that included a variety of horses from stakes winner Tango Tango Tango to the maiden New Year Surprise, Point Me By bided his time midpack and closed with a rush to win the one-mile Bruce D by 2 3/4 lengths.

Breaking from the six post, Point Me By settled in behind Like a Saltshaker as the 3-year-old gelding grabbed an early lead, with Tango Tango Tango in second on the rail. Luis Saez kept Point Me By off the rail, running in fifth on the backside as Like a Saltshaker set fractions of :25.03 for the first quarter and :50.04 for the first half. On the far turn. Saez took his mount to the outside of horses, as Tango Tango Tango moved to the lead entering the stretch.

With Tango Tango Tango on the lead, Point Me By found running room down the center of the track, closing fast to win. Tango Tango Tango and Ginsburned needed a photo to determine second and third, with Tango Tango Tango notching second by a nose. King of Miami was fourth, with Like a Saltshaker, Therideofalifetime, Mr. Universe, New Year Surprise, and Shadizaar rounding out the field.

The final time was 1:37.70. Find this race's chart here.

Point Me By paid $5.40, $2.80, and $2.40. Tango Tango Tango paid $3.00 and $2.40. Ginsburned paid $3.80.

Bred in Kentucky by Winchester Farm, Point Me By is by Point of Entry out of Viva Allegiance, a Proud Citizen mare. He is owned by Homewrecker Racing Stable and trained by Eddie Kenneally. This was Point Me By's second win in three lifetime starts, for career winnings of $238,268.

The post Point Me By Gets First Graded Stakes Win In Bruce D At Arlington appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Point Me By Rolls in Bruce D

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL–The joint least-experienced of the nine entrants for Saturday's GI Bruce D. S. (formerly Secretariat S.), being contested at a mile for the second time, Homewrecker Racing's Point Me By (Point of Entry) made a decisive move to split rivals a when push came to shove and pulled clear late to score by 2 3/4 lengths over chief market rival and American Derby hero Tango Tango Tango (Tourist). Ginsburned (Noble Mission {GB}) kept on gamely to be third.

Settled in mid-field as Like A Saltshaker (Peace and Justice) crossed and cleared his rivals from gate nine, Point Me By traveled on the bridle beneath Luis Saez and remained within easy striking distance through a half that was negotiated in a modest :50.02. Guided down to the fence for the run around the turn, Point Me By pinched ground to be just behind the leading trio nearing the stretch, was angled out and around pace-pressing Tango Tango Tango and just to the inside of Ginsburned with about an eighth of a mile to travel and kicked home a conclusive winner.

Point Me By was the veteran of just two previous racetrack appearances prior to Saturday's stakes debut, a debut success at 14-1 in a Churchill turf sprint June 20 ahead of a sound fourth-place effort in a first-level Saratoga allowance in which he rallied from the back of the pack to complete the superfecta.

Pedigree Notes:

Point Me By is the 13th stakes winner, fourth graded winner and first Grade I winner for Canadian-based Point of Entry. Bred by one one of the sire's most fervent supporters in Winchester Farm, Point Me By is out of half-sister to Life In Shambles (Broken Vow), a stakes winner and twice placed at Grade III level and perhaps better known as the old workmate of GI Belmont S. winner Tonalist (Tapit); and to the dam of GSP No Mo Lady (Uncle Mo). Winchester Farm has bred several winners by Point of Entry, a handful of which have raced successfully in Japan. That number includes the 4-year-old filly Lotus Land, a listed stakes winner this year who is entered for Sunday's G3 Sekiya Kinen (1600mT) at Niigata. Viva Allegiance's final listed produce is the 2-year-old colt Uno Najd (Macho Uno).

Saturday, Arlington
BRUCE D. S.-GI, $300,000, Arlington, 8-14, 3yo, 1mT, 1:37.70, gd.
1–POINT ME BY, 119, c, 3, by Point of Entry
                1st Dam: Viva Allegiance, by Proud Citizen
                2nd Dam: Life (Fr), by Anabaa
                3rd Dam: Igma, by Grey Dawn II
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I
WIN. ($30,000 Ylg '19 KEEJAN). O-Homewrecker Racing LLC;
B-Winchester Farm (KY); T-Eddie Kenneally; J-Luis Saez.
$174,600. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $238,268. Werk Nick
Rating: C+. Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tango Tango Tango, 119, c, 3, Tourist–First Consul, by
Deputy Commander. ($35,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Calumet
Farm; B-Frederick Wieting (KY); T-Jack Sisterson. $58,200.
3–Ginsburned, 119, g, 3, Noble Mission (GB)–Court Appeal, by
Candy Ride (Arg). ($110,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $47,000 RNA 2yo
'20 OBSAPR). O-Ashbrook Farm; B-W. S. Farish & Lazy F Ranch
(KY); T-George R. Arnold, II. $29,100.
Margins: 2 3/4, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.70, 1.90, 6.50.
Also Ran: King of Miami, Like a Saltshaker, Therideofalifetime, Mr. Universe, New Year Surprise, Shadizaar.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Point Me By Rolls in Bruce D appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights