After the Auction: She Sleeps

As an avid fan of sales with possible aspirations to become an adviser/bloodstock agent, auctions are one of my favorite topics to write about on Past the Grandstand. This is the sixth edition in a blog series called "After the Auction" that will feature horses I selected in sales that have found success after the sale. *Note: If an "After the Auction" features a two-year-old, it will also be listed as a "Juvenile Spotlight."

Two weeks before Delta Downs’ biggest race day of the year – and on racing’s biggest day of the year – She Sleeps redeemed herself with an easy victory. She received no national acclaim for her win, but put a smile upon my face by finding the winner’s circle. With her maiden victory, She Sleeps had become my sixth juvenile sales selection of 2012 to garner a win (maiden claiming victories acquired by a pair of my two-year-old auction picks, Blazing Graduate and Mistakingly, were not featured).

She Sleeps
Photo by Terri Cage

A member of Private Vow’s first crop, She Sleeps’ sire is a son of Broken Vow, the sire of such horses as the grade one winners Cotton Blossom, Sassy Image, and Unbridled Belle. By a son of the influential Unbridled and out of a Deputy Minister daughter, Private Vow certainly hails from parentage that insinuates that he will become a successful stallion.

She Sleeps is out of Shy Eda, an Argentinian mare who is a full sister to the stakes-winning Edil Tom and a half-sister to the group one-winning Cruzan Gold and the group stakes-placed Forty Editado. Shy Eda herself is the dam of the multiple group stakes-winning and group one-placed Duvets, the group stakes-winning Shy Legionario, and the group stakes-placed runners Saint George and South Stream.

By Shy Tom, Shy Eda’s grandsire is Blushing Groom, one of the finest sires and broodmare sires of the breed. A winner of several championship honors as both racehorse and sire, Blushing Groom was a tremendous sire and sire of sires, producing horses like Nashwan, Rahy, Rainbow Quest, and Runaway Groom that were successful on the track and in the breeding shed. But perhaps his greatest success came as a broodmare sire, as he is the damsire of such horses as the grade/group one winners Flute, Haafhd, Macho Uno, and Mezzo Soprano. Blushing Groom has also had success in siring productive damsires, such as Mt. Livermore, Rahy, Rainbow Quest, and Runaway Groom.

In her debut, which came at Louisiana Downs, She Sleeps finished a lackluster sixth. But she made amends for her loss next out, adding an extra furlong to the six furlongs she debuted at. Breaking sharply from the eighth gate in the maiden special weight for Louisiana-breds, She Sleeps raced wide just behind the front-running contingent as the horses galloped before the grandstand for the initial time.

Due to being forced wide around the sharp first turn, She Sleeps lost ground, but remained in fourth as the horses entered the backstretch. With urging from jockey Chris Rosier, She Sleeps loomed large on the outside as the field turned for home, accelerating imposingly as the far turn culminated. Displaying an impressive turn of foot, She Sleeps kicked clear from her rivals, galloping to a 4 ¼-length victory.

She Sleeps is likely to not appear on a list of future grade one winners, but she is certainly a filly with potential. It will be interesting to see what the future of this 2012 Fasig-Tipton Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale graduate holds. 

Well Armed and Bill Casner: All Heart

Under the Texas November sun, the bay gelding that stood before me was certainly a long way from Dubai. But, gazing at his kind eye, I could see the dynamic, odds-denying champion within, the one that had galloped to an awe-inspiring win in the richest race in the world. I raised my hand to his face, gently touching the Thoroughbred I so greatly admired and adored. Looking back at me was Well Armed.

With Well Armed
Photo by Terri Cage

This elite Thoroughbred is of course best known for his record-breaking victory in the 2009 Dubai World Cup (GI), a race in which Well Armed annihilated his rivals by an astounding 14 lengths. But there’s more to Well Armed’s story than his brilliant victories. This horse had overcome unbelievable adversity before he achieved his greatest victories, with the help of his loving owner, Bill Casner.

Casner had dealt with his own hardship as well, particularly when his daughter, Karri, was tragically killed in a bombing of Bali, Indonesia in 2002. Just months later, a horse was born on what would have been Karri’s 24^th birthday. That horse was Well Armed.

Well Armed
Photo by Terri Cage

Like Karri, Well Armed was born pigeon-toed. The Thoroughbred was sent to England, where he made his initial eight career starts for Clive Brittain prior to a three-race expedition in Dubai that was cut short by a knee chip. This injury saw Well Armed return to the United States, where the son of Tiznow had successful surgery to remove the chip. But days later, Well Armed broke his hip – an injury that caused the horse so much pain that euthanizing the horse became a serious option.

But Casner wasn’t going to give up on this horse and after recovery, Well Armed did not give up on him. Well Armed returned to racing to capture four graded stakes races, two of which were grade ones – including, of course, the Dubai World Cup. Despite the great adversity they’d faced, Well Armed and Casner had dealt with their troubles together, and together they stood on top of the world.

Bill Casner is one of the kindest persons I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. On November 19, 2012, I made a visit to his ranch in North Texas, where I was able to meet the charming Well Armed. The goodness of Mr. Casner’s heart shone through during the time I spent there, as he showed my mother and me around the ranch, allowing us to see the horses that reside there and to watch several yearlings – including a full sibling to the grade one-winning Colonel John and a half-brother to Well Armed – swim.

But the highlight of my visit certainly was found in the time I spent with Well Armed. After I fed the deserving Thoroughbred a few peppermints (which he ate eagerly), Mr. Casner allowed me to lead the gelding out of his stall before I briefly groomed the tall Thoroughbred. As I led Well Armed outside the barn for my mother to take several photographs, Mr. Casner asked me how much riding experience I had.

“I’ve ridden all my life.” I replied.

Riding Well Armed
Photo by Terri Cage

Minutes later, I sat aboard Well Armed’s back, his thick black mane flowing over his neck as my hands held the reins. Around the expansive arena we rode, Well Armed’s large frame moving beneath me as I sat in the saddle upon his back, my eyes overlooking the view I had from aboard him. His brown neck, covered by his thick black mane – streaked with a few white and gray strands – stretched before me, his ears pricked as he gazed about. 

As the earner of $5,179,803 strode along, I was brought back to a memory. Gazing at his mane, I pictured jockey Aaron Gryder stroking the gelding’s mane and neck as the two soared to victory in Dubai, a scene I watched from the comfort of my living room, beaming with sheer joy as Well Armed – this world conqueror, this underdog, this hero beneath me – galloped across my television screen to a breathtaking triumph.

How could I have imagined that day that I would someday sit aboard that majestic champion? I couldn’t have. Maybe in my wildest dreams I could have pictured myself riding Well Armed, but never would those dreams have come true if it weren’t for the astounding goodness of Bill Casner’s heart.

And that’s exactly the quintessence of the story of Bill Casner and Well Armed: heart. As my own soaring, joyous heart rode along with Well Armed, I overhead Mr. Casner speaking to my mother, telling her Well Armed’s story. Two words that left his mouth as he described his beloved horse will never leave me: all heart. Mr. Casner was speaking of the kind, valiant Thoroughbred I rode, but if it weren’t for Mr. Casner’s heart, I never would have experienced one of the best days of my life and Well Armed never would have been able to show the world just how much heart he has. Together, these two showed me perhaps the greatest amount of true heart I have ever seen.

Mr. Casner, with heartfelt gratitude, thank you, thank you, thank you. I will never be able to thank you enough.

Miss Oops: She's No Mistake

As an auction approaches, those interested in purchasing horses create a “short list,” or a list that records the horses one is considering buying. Usually, these horses earn a position on such a list for having a combination of a notable pedigre and correct conformation. Hip 4309 of the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling Sale did not exactly meet those credentials.

Though a granddaughter of the great A.P. Indy through her sire, hip 4309 was sired by a stallion that has had a rather unremarkable stud career in Olmodavor. Despite being sired by a young, unfashionable stallion, the yearling filly had the benefit of being out of a stakes-winning mare. However, this was eclipsed by hip 4309’s terribly crooked legs.

Hip 4309 was sold for just $3,000 to Bill Dory and the story has it that once he noted which hip number he’d purchased, he winced with realization that he’d bought “the crooked-legged filly.” And thus, the daughter of Olmodavor was named Miss Oops.

Miss Oops with Donna Keen's popular bridleless pony, Wyatt
Photo by Terri Cage

For the first twenty-seven starts of her career, Miss Oops did not contest outside of the claiming ranks, but captured eleven victories during the near-three years that spanned her initial twenty-seven races. Before her streak of claiming races culminated, Miss Oops landed in the barn of Dallas Keen, and in her first start for the trainer, the mare annihilated a six-furlong claiming race at Santa Anita. With her victory, Miss Oops had granted new owner Raymond Marchand his first win, blazing the path for more success.

The biggest race of Miss Oops’ career to date came on one of the biggest stages in racing. For the first time, the mare would be contesting at the allowance level, but not just at any track on any day: her twenty-eighth start would occur at Santa Anita Park on Breeders’ Cup Friday.

At the barn prior to the race, Miss Oops stood in her stall – denoted as a detention stall by a yellow sign hanging on the door. She had her game face on. She knew it was race day.

“She’s won more races in her career than all of the other horses in this race combined,” Dallas Keen said. “She’ll try harder than any of them.”

With Miss Oops in the paddock
Photo by Terri Cage

Thanks to Dallas and his wife, Donna Keen, I had the great privilege of walking on Miss Oops’ off side as she was led to the saddling paddock. As Breeders’ Cup horses like California Flag, Musical Romance, Nonios, and Obviously schooled among the group, I held onto the lead as I walked alongside Miss Oops into the Santa Anita paddock. The large crowd gathered for the Breeders’ Cup looked on, but my focus was on the Thoroughbred next to me. In just minutes, this grand equine athlete at the end of the lead I grasped would battle on the track on which, later that day, some of the greatest racehorses in the world would contest.

As minutes elapsed, Miss Oops grew more anxious, her eyes alert as she gazed about. The small mare – no taller than 15 hands high – danced around, eager to go to the track. Brice Blanc was soon given a leg up onto the mare and before I knew it, I was standing alongside my mother and Donna and Dallas as we stood, overlooking the track as the horses for the second race on Breeders’ Cup Friday warmed up.

My eyes focused upon the small mare as she traveled down the track, the same mare that minutes earlier, I had placed my hand on her neck soothingly as I held the lead attached to her right side. The board in the infield counted down the minutes to the biggest race of her life.

“There’s not a harder-trying horse in this race,” Donna noted as the Thoroughbreds made their way to the starting gate on the far side of the track for the six and one-half-furlong race. “She wants to win.”

Breaking from the outside post in field of ten, Miss Oops left the gate sharply, settling just off the front-running contingent as she raced widest of all. Brice Blanc urged her to keep up with her competitors and Miss Oops did as asked as the field raced down the backstretch. Less than three lengths separated her from the pacesetters as the Thoroughbreds approached the turn.

Gradually, Miss Oops began to gain ground on the leaders, advancing to third around the curve. She inched closer to the frontrunners, her crooked little legs carrying her closer to the horses ahead of her. Suddenly, I was struck with a sinking feeling when Miss Oops was forced to go wide and appeared to “hang” and make no progress at the top of the stretch.

But displaying her heart and determination, Miss Oops kicked into another gear, bearing down on the heavy favorite, Big Tiz. With each stride, she grew closer, but she simply ran out of time and ground, finishing second by ¾ of a length to Big Tiz. The disappointment of losing only lasted for a split second, only to be replaced by pride for the mare.

“It would have been nice to win, but she tried so hard,” Donna said. “I’m not disappointed. She ran great.”

I was filled with pride for the little mare I had earlier walked next to. She had exceeded the expectations anyone had had for her in her younger days. Despite taking a step up in class, Miss Oops had performed in a superb manner, showing the qualities I most admire in a racehorse: heart and determination.

Three thousand dollars. That’s all this crooked-legged Thoroughbred was once believed to be worth. But you can’t put a price tag on the heart Miss Oops has and if you did, it’d certainly be more than three thousand dollars.

Miss Oops with Donna and Dallas Keen
Photo by Terri Cage

Eblouissante: Zenyatta's Dazzling Half-Sister

With some paragraphs drawn from "Recent Remarkable Broodmares"

Zenyatta
Photo by Terri Cage

The dark, large horse loped along the backside of Hollywood Park on Thanksgiving Day, several lengths separating the debuting three-year-old filly from the pacesetter. It was just another maiden race, featuring a field of Thoroughbreds that, as three-year-olds or older, weren’t nearly as exciting as a group of maiden juveniles. But that dark, large horse swept past her rivals in the stretch with a stunning turn of foot that left witnesses in awe of her triumph. Little did the world know, this filly would become America’s sweetheart, garnering over $7 million in earnings, winning thirteen grade one events, and capturing the hearts of racing fans across the world. The filly was none other than Zenyatta.

Almost exactly five years later, Zenyatta’s half-sister, Eblouissante, debuted at Hollywood Park, becoming one of the most hyped maidens of all-time. Prior to her initial race, the huge, dark-colored three-year-old filly had recorded forty-five works under trainer John Shirreffs, acquiring a large fan club before she even went to post for the first time. As the considerably sized filly sauntered before fans in the post parade for her first start, the racing world was abuzz regarding whether or not Eblouissante could live up to the hype.

She did. Breaking from the third gate among a field of eight as the only first-time starter in the group, Eblouissante emerged from the starting gate cleanly, settling amid the closers with Corey Nakatani aboard. With just one horse behind her, Eblouissante galloped easily into the backstretch, racing along the rail. Her long, dark tail flowed behind her, her powerful stride covering ground as she ran near the rear of the field. It was impossible not to see shades of Zenyatta as one gazed upon the debuting filly.

Eblouissante appeared comfortable down the backside and began to inch forward as the far turn approached. With minimal urging from Nakatani, Eblouissante gradually commenced her rally as the track began to curve, passing the forerunning group with easy strides in just a short amount of time. By the time the field reached the quarter pole, Eblouissante was just a length behind the leader, looming large on the outside as the fillies prepared to enter the homestretch.

Despite not being the carrier of the Moss’ silks, it was like watching Zenyatta as the Thoroughbreds came into the final stretch. To Nakatani’s asking, Eblouissante accelerated, overtaking the leader mid-stretch while displaying an impressive turn of foot, galloping effortlessly to a 4 ¼-length victory with an authoritative stride that resembled that of her older sister.

It’s no secret that this maiden winner has a royal pedigree. Just her title of “Zenyatta’s half-sister” is intimidating enough. However, there is more to her ancestry than that.

Interestingly, Eblouissante is sired by Bernardini, who is also the sire of Zenyatta’s first foal. Bernardini, victor of three grade ones, has proven to be a quality sire in his young stud career, producing five grade one winners. The choice for many top-class racemares, Bernardini is a son of the great A.P. Indy, who has produced nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Eblouissante descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of such productive studs as Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, Pulpit, and Stephen Got Even.

The dam of Eblouissante is of course the incredibly successful Vertigineux, who quickly became a useful broodmare when her first foal, Where’s Bailey, became a black-type winner in the South. But she really made impressions when her second foal, Balance, had a terrific two-year-old campaign in southern California, winning a stakes race while placing in not only a non-graded stakes, but also the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (GI). Balance furthered Vertigineux’s value when she later triumphed in the Las Virgenes Stakes (GI), the Santa Anita Oaks (GI), the La Canada Stakes (GII), and the Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (GI). Shortly after Balance’s career ended came the debut of not only Vertigineux’s best offspring, but one of the best racehorses the world has ever seen: Zenyatta. The great mare went nineteen-for-twenty, winning thirteen grade ones, including the Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic (GI) and the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI), the latter in which she became the only female racehorse to ever win the race. Zenyatta captured four Eclipse Award titles throughout her career– including Horse of the Year. Vertigineux has also produced Souper Spectacular, an earner of over $100,000 who has twice finished fourth in grade three events.

Vertigineux had the support of Kris S as her sire when she entered her career as a broodmare, as the son of the influential Roberto has recently proven to be among the best broodmare sires. Vertigineux herself is out of a successful broodmare, being a daughter of the dam of the multiple stakes-winning and group stakes-placed Restrained and the group stakes-placed On the Staff. Her damsire, the Argentinian Horse of the Year Forli, was also the broodmare sire of such horses as the champions Nureyev, Precisionist, and Swale. As a member of female family four, Vertigineux is among an elite group that descends from the Layton Barb mare. Other descendants of this female family include the dams of the Triple Crown winners Assault and Gallant Fox, as well as the champions Afleet Alex, Bowl of Flowers, Hail to Reason, Real Quiet, and Sunny’s Halo. Vertigineux was recently named not only 2008 Broodmare of the Year, but also a Reine De Course mare, and rightfully so.

One cannot expect for Eblouissante to become another Zenyatta, as the racing world will never see another Zenyatta. However, we do seem to have another superstar on our hands. Regal bloodlines and famous sister aside, Eblouissante’s debut truly lived up to her name, which means “dazzling” in French. A Thoroughbred simply cannot have much more remarkable parentage than this filly and it is impossible to deny that Eblouissante’s maiden victory was brilliant.

Super Ninety Nine: Something to Look Forward To

He tossed his head, flashing his radiant white blaze as his red mane flowed, his neck arched as his rich chestnut coat gleamed in the morning sun. My eyes focused upon the Bob Baffert trainee's Breeders' Cup saddle towel, reading his name: Super Ninety Nine. Prior to seeing him in person, I had not been incredibly impressed by the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint contender. However, as soon as the colt graced my vision, he became my top selection.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Super Ninety Nine displayed great muscularity for his age, possessing the powerful build of a Quarter Horse. It was impossible to deny that the colt reminded me of a former grade one-winning Baffert trainee, Euroears. Sharing the same chestnut coloring and similar markings, Super Ninety Nine was also powerfully built just as Euroears had been and also galloped in the same robust manner.

Unfortunately, after being cast in his stall, Super Ninety Nine was withdrawn from the Juvenile Sprint and thus was unable to reveal what he was capable of on Breeders' Cup weekend. But Super Ninety Nine had impressed me enough in the mornings to land a position on my radar.

The colt's debut was clearly exciting enough for his connections to enter him in the Breeders' Cup. His first start came in a seven-furlong maiden special weight over Santa Anita's main track, in which the chestnut was sent off as the third choice in a field of twelve. Super Ninety Nine did not briskly leave the starting gate, but with slight urging from jockey Martin Garcia, the chestnut colt rocketed to the lead as the field commenced its run down the backstretch.

However, the Tanma Corporation-owned colt was soon overtaken by the favorite, Quietasacat, off of whom Super Ninety Nine raced just to the outside. Just a half-length separated the two as an initial quarter-mile split of 23.05 was set, but Super Ninety Nine gradually began to decrease Quietasacat's lead as the pair led the field into the turn.

Super Ninety Nine matched strides with his nemesis midway through the curve, gaining a slight advantage as they reached the quarter pole. With asking from Garcia, Super Ninety Nine began to kick clear, lengthening his lead at the top of the stretch, holding off the charges of his rivals. In the final yards, the colt seemed to find his best stride despite changing leads, crossing the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Bred by Northwest Farms LLC, this rising star brings to life bloodlines that are like a web of speed and stamina. Bred on a cross of two of the most powerful sire lines of the breed, Super Ninety Nine possesses a pedigree that is not lacking in strength on either side.

Sired by Pulpit, Super Ninety Nine shares the same sire as such grade one winners as Corinthian, Ice Box, Purge, Pyro, Rutherienne, Sky Mesa, Stroll, and Tapit. Pulpit is of course a son of the great A.P. Indy, the sire of nearly thirty grade one winners, including Bernardini, Flashing, Mineshaft, Little Belle, Music Note, and Rags to Riches. The A.P. Indy sire line from which Super Ninety Nine descends has been highly successful, as A.P. Indy is also the sire of such productive studs as Bernardini, Congrats, Malibu Moon, Mineshaft, and Stephen Got Even. 

Super Ninety Nine's dam, Exogenetic, is a three-quarters sister to Exogenous, an ill-fated multiple grade one winner, and is also the dam of the multiple black-type-winning Elusive Horizon. A daughter of Unbridled's Song, Exogenetic provides Super Ninety Nine with the same broodmare sire as the group one winner Better Than Ever, as well as the graded stakes winners Etched, Hold Me Back, and Out of Bounds.

War Exchange, Super Ninety Nine's fourth dam, was a stakes-winning mare who produced two graded stakes winners, one of which was Barbarika, two-time Horse of the Year Curlin's granddam, thus making War Exchange the multiple classic winner's third dam. War Exchange is also the third dam of the grade one-winning champion Countess Diana.

Misfortune kept Super Ninety Nine out of the Breeders' Cup, but I will not soon forget this striking colt, who I will be keeping a close eye on. Bringing to the table eye-catching conformation and movement, as well as a beautiful pedigree, Super Ninety appears to have bright future ahead of him. Perhaps many are thinking of what could have been had he been able to compete in the Breeders' Cup. However, I am simply looking forward to what this colt's future holds.

Super Ninety Nine
Photo by Terri Cage

Groupie Doll: All She Does is Win

March 17, 2012 marks the last time Groupie Doll did not visit the winner's circle. Since then, the filly has been unbeatable, forming a winning streak that has prevented her from losing for the rest of 2012.

Groupie Doll
Photo by Terri Cage

Despite being sidlelined for a minor injury, Groupie Doll dominated the female sprint division this year, capturing four graded stakes races - including two grade ones - prior to the Breeders' Cup by a total of 20 1/2 lengths. As the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (GI) approached, Groupie Doll appeared to be as close to a lock as any horse competing in a 2012 Breeders' Cup event.

Breaking from the ninth post in a field of ten, Groupie Doll was asked for speed in the early stages, racing on the far outside alongside the front-running contingent, though she was galloping along in sixth. As Teddy's Promise lengthened her lead, setting brisk fractions, Groupie Doll remained widest of all as the field began to gallop into the turn. 

In spite of her wide trip, Groupie Doll gained ground on the leaders as the Thoroughbreds rounded the curve, looming large on the outside as the field turned for home. In impressive fashion, the chestnut filly kicked clear, passing Dust and Diamonds as soon as the fillies and mares reached the top of the stretch. With absolute ease, the brilliant filly coasted to a 4 1/2-length triumph (the greatest winning margin of this year's Breeders' Cup), posting a final time for seven furlongs that was just one second more than the track record.

Bred, co-owned, and trained by Buff Bradley, Groupie Doll may not have the most breathtaking of bloodlines at first glance, but after a more efficient study, there is a piece of the cause for her success found in her ancestry.

Groupie Doll is sired by Bowman's Band, a grade one-winning son of Dixieland Band responsible for producing such stakes winners as Baltimore Belle, Roadhog, Ruby's Big Band, Seychelles, and Son of a Bear. Though Bowman's Band's stud career has been rather undistinguished, the success he has found is likely due in large part to his sire, Dixieland Band.  A son of the influential Northern Dancer, Dixieland Band sired more than 100 stakes winners.

Groupie Doll's dam, Deputy Doll, didn't have much success outside of Groupie Doll, but her own dam, Slick Turn, produced two black-type horses, including the black-type-winning Russellthemussell. Interestingly, Groupie Doll's fifth dam is the Reine de Course mare Flower Bed, the dam of multiple stakes-winning Flower Bowl who went on to become a powerful Reine de Course mare. 

Groupie Doll's broodmare sire is Silver Deputy, who won a graded stakes race in his brief, undefeated career before siring several millionaires, including the grade one winners Pool Play, Silverbulletday, and Spring At Last. As a broodmare sire, Silver Deputy has produced the dams of the likes of the multiple graded stakes winners Miraculous Miss, Preachinatthebar, Quiet Temper, and Roman Ruler. Silver Deputy is a son of champion Deputy Minister, a highly successful broodmare sire who sired the dams of such champions as Curlin, Halfbridled, and Rags to Riches.

Without a doubt, Groupie Doll was one of the true superstars of 2012 and certainly offered one of the best performances of this year's rendition of the Breeders' Cup. Her victory in the Filly & Mare Sprint will likely be looked upon fondly for years to come, as in her win, this filly - from the same family as Flower Bowl - showed her true class, putting on a show for racing fans as the blood of a regal Thoroughbred, descended from a line of quality horses of the breed, ran through her veins.

Groupie Doll winning the Filly & Mare Sprint
Photo by Terri Cage

Animal Kingdom: The Comeback Kid

Animal Kingdom
Photo by Terri Cage

Hopes soared, dreams grew, expectations ascended, and nerves climbed. Animal Kingdom was loading into the starting gate for the 2011 Preakness Stakes (GI). Just two weeks prior, the majestic chestnut had captured the Kentucky Derby (GI) at 20-1. But despite his long odds in the Run for the Roses, the easy manner with which he had conquered eighteen rivals gave racing enthusiasts hope that he could be the one: the horse that could put an end to the Triple Crown drought.

But when the audacious Shackleford held off Animal Kingdom in a stirring stretch run in the second leg of the prestigious series, those dreams came to a crashing halt. Despite his loss, Animal Kingdom continued on to the Belmont Stakes (GI), the twelve-furlong test that serves as the final jewel of the Triple Crown. Little did everyone know, this race would change Animal Kingdom’s racing career.

Animal Kingdom was sent off as the favorite in the field of twelve that would contest over the sloppy track. Just strides out of the gate, Animal Kingdom was squeezed by horses, nearly tumbling to the ground while almost catapulting jockey John Velazquez out of the saddle. In spite of the near-disaster, the Derby victor went on to finish a valiant sixth and was soon discovered to have an injury that required two screws in his left hind leg. This injury prevented Animal Kingdom from competing again in 2011.

The colt returned in February 2012, winning an allowance race at Gulfstream Park in preparation for the richest race in the world, the Dubai World Cup (GI). However, Animal Kingdom was yet again sidelined with a left hind leg injury, inhibiting him from being seen at the races until the end of the season.

Most would have expected for Animal Kingdom to return in an easy spot, but rather, the colt was prepared for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (GI), which shaped up to be one of the most competitive races of the 2012 Breeders’ Cup. Among the talented horses entered in the Mile was the brilliant multiple grade one winner Wise Dan, the multiple group one-winning horses Excelebration – who had been running in the great Frankel’s shadow – and Moonlight Cloud, and the blossoming graded stakes winner Obviously.

With Rafael Bejarano aboard for the first time, Animal Kingdom burst from the starting gate on Breeders' Cup Saturday, settling near the rear of the field as the star-studded group of Thoroughbreds thundered past the stands for the initial time. The large chestnut appeared comfortable along the rail as the horses raced around the first turn, rating about six lengths off the pacesetter.

Down the backstretch, Bejarano angled Animal Kingdom outwards slightly as the distance to the finish line grew shorter. While Obviously set brisk fractions on the front end, Animal Kingdom inched closer to the front-running contingent, Bejarano searching for room aboard him. However, a wall of horses obstructed the Derby winner as the field rounded the far turn.

Animal Kingdom remained stuck behind the trap formed by horses as Wise Dan began to close on Obviously, continuing to pursue a clean space to run down the straightaway. Finally, midstretch, a hole opened and Animal Kingdom galloped through, setting his sights on Wise Dan as he kicked into gear. The Graham Motion trainee dug deep, accelerating in imposing fashion in the final strides, only to run out of ground as he finished second in an amazing effort.

Having only raced twice since injury first plagued him, Animal Kingdom has proven to be a highly courageous, talented Thoroughbred. Should he remain sound, great things should be expected of him, as not only has he proven so on the track, but it is implied in his pedigree as well. 

Animal Kingdom
Photo by Terri Cage

Though Kentucky-bred, Animal Kingdom has a tremendously international pedigree. In fact, of the sixty-two horses in the first five generations of his pedigree, only fourteen were bred in the United States. Animal Kingdom's bloodlines are greatly influenced by British, German, and French Thoroughbreds, though prominent traces of Irish and Italian ancestry are also found within his parentage.

Animal Kingdom is sired by the Brazilian-bred Leroidesanimaux, a multiple grade one-winning son of Candy Stripes who excelled on grass, earning the 2005 Eclipse Award for Champion Turf Male. Interestingly, Leroidesanimaux also finished second in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Having earned more than $2.7 million, Animal Kingdom owns the title of Leroidesanimaux's leading money earner. Other notable horses sired by Leroidesanimaux include the graded stakes winners Always a Princess, Leroy's Dynameaux, and Sarah's Secret. Leroidesanimaux is a son of Candy Stripes, a two-time leading sire in Argentina responsible for such champions as Invasor and Different.

Candy Stripes is a son of Blushing Groom, recipient of multiple champion honors as both racehorse and sire. A stallion who has had great success as a broodmare sire, Blushing Groom was also a tremendous sire and sire of sires, producing horses like Nashwan, Rahy, Rainbow Quest, and Runaway Groom that were successful on the track and in the breeding shed.

Strength cannot only be found in the top side of Animal Kingdom's pedigree; his dam side is quite strong as well. His dam, the German-bred Dalicia, was a group stakes-winning mare. Out of Dynamis, Dalicia's second dam is Diasprina, a German champion responsible for producing the group stakes-winning horses Desidera and Diacada, as well as the multiple stakes-winning runners Dania and Diable.

Dalicia is sired by Acatenango, one of the most well-known German racehorses of all-time. A multiple group one winner, Acatenango was not only a three-time Horse of the Year, but a multiple-year leading sire. Among his best offspring were the champions Borgia and Lando. He is also the sire of the dams of such group one winners as Querari and Waldpark.

No matter which surface Animal Kingdom focuses upon - he is a winner on dirt, turf, and synthetic - he will find success. The international flair of his bloodlines is reflected in his appearance and running style, as well as the versatility he has displayed. Animal Kingdom is a true superstar and the racing world could be in for a treat should he remain sound and continue his excellence.

Animal Kingdom
Photo by Terri Cage