By Heather Anderson
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 Aterradora at the Fair Grounds.
Starspangledbanner Filly Strikes Gold At Fair Grounds
Pura Vida Investments' Aterradora (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), second in her first two starts at Fair Grounds in November and January, got off the mark on the first day of February at that track (video). Bred by The Last Partnership, the filly was purchased for 150,000gns out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Deuce Greathouse and is trained by Michael Maker.
Out of Last Gold (Fr) (Gold Away {Ire}), the bay is a half-sister to G2 Blandford Stakes and G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes heroine Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who was third in the G1 Prix de l'Opera. Last Gold's latest offspring are 2-year-old colt Papa Joe (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and a yearling full-sister to the winner. Both G3 Prix des Chenes hero Akihiro (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and G3 Prix Belle de Nuit heroine Bartaba (Fr) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) are half-siblings to Last Gold.
Coolmore's reverse shuttle stallion Starspangledbanner (Aus) has a 55% strike rate in the U.S., with 16 winners from 29 starters. Four of his seven stakes winners have landed a graded race, led by Grade I winners Rhea Moon (Ire) and State Of Rest (Ire).
Iffraaj Colt Is Third-Time Lucky
Goncora (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), owned by Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William J. Rucker and William Strauss, graduated at Tampa in his third start last weekend for Chad Brown (video).
Bred by ORS Bloodstock, the 20,000gns Book 2 Tattersalls October yearling is a son of Sparkle (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The colt was second in his debut at Dieppe in France for owner/trainer Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez last July, before being acquired by these connections. Since then, he filled the same spot in his Tampa Bay bow this January before Saturday's triumph. A half-brother to a pair of winners, as well as a 2-year-old filly by Time Test (GB), the bay counts listed winner and G3 Park Express Stakes second Gemstone (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as his granddam. She, in turn, is the dam of stakes winner and two-time Group 1-placed Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and listed winner UAE Jewel (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). G1 Irish St. Leger hero Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) is also in the family.
Renowned former Darley shuttle stallion Iffraaj (GB) has had limited representation in North America, with 15 winners from 30 runners (50%). His three stakes winners are GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Chriselliam (Ire), GIII Providencia Stakes victress Hostess (GB), and dual listed winner Sloane Garden (GB).
USA 🇺🇸 Success for GONCORA ! A @Tattersalls1766 Book 2 Purchase for 20.000GNS from New England Stud.
2 start Stateside for this son of Iffraaj, and a win that looks Promising !
Congratulations to all connections pic.twitter.com/gs8u8FBryb— Fernando's Horses (@Fernandolaffon) February 1, 2025
Ribchester Filly Remains Undefeated
Pretty Lavish (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}), a winner of a Gowan maiden race in October for Ben Dalton and trainer Natalia Lupini, made it two-for-two in her American debut, taking a Tampa Bay feature by a neck for new connections Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bobby Flay and trainer Graham Motion (video). The filly was purchased privately after her debut win by Avenue Bloodstock's Mark McStay for her current owners.
Bred by Thomas Hassett, the €6,000 Goffs Orby yearling caught the eye of Dalton in September of 2023. She is a daughter of the placed Oasis Dream (GB) mare Tranquil Storm (Ire), who is related to the group-winning and Group 1-placed duo of Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and Dawn Patrol (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The former is the dam of multiple group winner Ancient Rome (War Front), placed twice at the highest level and G3 Naas Juvenile Fillies Sprint Stakes heroine and stakes producer Etoile (War Front).
Former Darley stallion Ribchester is now permanently based at Haunui Farm in New Zealand, but his U.S. strike rate is a sparkling nine-for-11 (82%) with Pretty Lavish's victory. He has one stakes winner there, the 'TDN Rising Star' and Listed Limestone Stakes heroine Ruthin (GB).
Pretty Lavish remains unbeaten winning on her stateside debut @TampaBayDownsFL for owners @EclipseTBP, trainer @GrahamMotion & rider @iradortiz! Purchased privately in Ireland by @AvenueBstock from trainer Natalia Lupini! Many congratulations to all! 👏🇮🇪🇺🇸🐎🎯 #prettyimpressive pic.twitter.com/hucnOswKgu
— Mark McStay 🇺🇦 (@mcstayagent) February 8, 2025
Repeat Winner
Anybody But You (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) is now two-for-two with a narrow victory at Gulfstream for Brendan Walsh on Jan. 26 (video). The Tally-Ho Stud-bred filly is owned by JDT Racing, and broke her maiden at that track in December.
Anybody But You (IRE) and @Tyler_Gaff split rivals to earn the victory in race 8 at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/Kl0Nkq7g7o
— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 26, 2025
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