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 Higher Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GII Sheepshead Bay S. at Belmont Park on Friday.
Galileo Mare Queen Of The Bay
Team Hanley, Jeff Drown and Mike Ryan's Higher Truth won the Sheepshead Bay for trainer Chad Brown (video). She was third in the 2021 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S.
Bred by Churchtown House Stud, the May foal brought 500,000gns from Mike Ryan as a Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling.
The third foal out of G3 Ballycorus S. heroine Wannabe Better (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Cheveley Park S. victress and 1999 G1 1000 Guineas second Wannabe Grand (Ire) (Danehill), Higher Truth is also a half-sister to dual stakes winner Lady Wannabe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), and a 2-year-old full-sister to that filly.
One of 62 winners from 174 runners in the U.S. (36%) for Galileo, Higher Truth is the late Coolmore great's 27th stakes winner (24 graded) in this locale (15%). Of those 27, 15 are top-tier scorers led by Cape Blanco (Ire).
Godolphin Shipper Pounces In Fort Marcy
Godolphin's Ottoman Fleet (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who won the G3 Earl of Sefton S. earlier this year, captured the GII Fort Marcy S. at Belmont Park on Saturday (video).
Foaled in England for the SCEA Marmion Vauville and Alain Jathiere operation, the son of Innevera (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) sold for €290,000 as an Arqana December foal, and matured into an 425,000gns yearling at Book 1 of Tattersalls October.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the firstborn of his winning dam is a half-sister to Inverlochy (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}). A half-sister to five stakes winners led by G1 Lockinge S. hero Keltos (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}), Innevera produced fillies by Le Havre (Ire) and Pinatubo (Ire) in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
The Aga Khan Studs' Sea The Stars is credited with 15 winners from 36 runners (42%). Ottoman Fleet is his first Grade II winner and one of five U.S. stakes winners (14%), alongside GIII Matchmaker S. heroine Casual Smile (GB) among others.
Here For The Thrills
Andrew Stone's Clitheroe (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}) took a Belmont allowance for Graham Motion on Sunday (video).
Part of the Stratford Place Stud breeding programme, the April foal made £45,000 as a Goffs UK Premier yearling, with Blandford Bloodstock plucking her out of the 2021 Arqana Breeze-Up Sale for €684,400 in May of 2022. From eight starts for St Albans Bloodstock and David Simcock, she earned black type when third in the Listed Queen of Scots S. at Musselburgh.
Out of a winning half-sister to dual Group 3 winner and Group 1 sire Bungle Inthejungle (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Group 1 winner Muarrab (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the chestnut is a half to the listed-placed Expensive Date (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}). Cheap Thrills (Bertolini) delivered a colt by Mohaather (GB) in 2022.
Darley's Ribchester has sired five winners from seven starters (71%) in the U.S. His best runner there is stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Ruthin (GB).
On The Go To Belmont
Cheyenne Stable and Christophe Clement combined with Mondego (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to take a Belmont maiden on Sunday (video). It was the 3-year-old colt's third start after being selected by Mike Ryan for 230,000gns as a yearling out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale.
Bred by Car Colston Hall Stud, the bay is the fifth foal produced by the winning Free Rein (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who also foaled G3 Sweet Solera S. heroine West End Girl (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). Free Rein's latest is a yearling filly by Ghaiyyath (Ire). Mondego is kin to Group 1 winners Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate), Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}).
Frequently mentioned in these pages is Ballylinch Stud's Lope De Vega (Ire), who has sired 50% winners to runners in the U.S. (32/64). His five stakes winners (8%) include GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winners Newspaperofrecord (Ire) and Aunt Pearl (Ire).
🇺🇸 Mondego runs out a comfortable winner at Belmont Park for @clementstable as Mike Ryan's 230,000gns #TattsOctober Book 1 buy from @carcolstonstud sheds his maiden tag. pic.twitter.com/2zU7ZHy1Xp
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) May 7, 2023
Sea The Moon Filly Strikes In Indiana
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Madaket Stables' Selenaia (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) (video) won over the Horseshoe Indianapolis turf on Wednesday. Trained by Jonathan Thomas, it was the 85,000gns Tattersalls October yearling's second win in three starts.
Bred by Derek Iceton of Tara Stud, the bay was previously knocked down for 33,000gns out of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale to Avenue Bloodstock. She is the first foal of her dam, Dettoria (GB) (Declaration Of War), who also has a 2-year-old filly by Golden Horn (GB) and a yearling colt by Earthlight (Ire). This is the family of G1 2000 Guineas hero Roderic O'Connor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Lanwades Stud's Sea The Moon is a perfect four-for-four from his American runners. The 12-year-old has sired 26 stakes winners worldwide (12 group), with G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) and G1 Caulfield Cup hero Durston (GB) his best progeny.
The rail opens up and #4 SELENAIA (IRE) ($7.80) charges to the front under Isaac Castillo for @ThomasStables. Congratulations to owners @EclipseTBP and @MadaketStables. pic.twitter.com/9KEYK1X8uR
— TVG (@TVG) May 10, 2023
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