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 Mythical Reel at Santa Anita.
Breeders' Cup Connection At Play In California
Michael House's Mythical Reel (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) stalked and pounced to take a 1 1/8-mile turf affair at Santa Anita on March 29 (video). He is trained by Phil D'Amato.
By a Breeders' Cup winner and out of a mare by 2001 GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Val Royal (Fr) in Mad Existence (Ire), the bay colt was bred by Kildaragh Stud. He was sold by them for €16,000 at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale to trainer Tom Mullins and made two unplaced starts for Mullins and Mrs. Helen Mullins in Ireland, before being purchased by these connections. His dam won twice at three and four, and also has the multiple French listed third Secret Existence (Ire) (Sakee's Secret {GB}) to her credit. Under the stakes-winning second dam Hanzala (Fr) (Akarad {Fr}) is G1 Irish St. Leger winner Flag Of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), as well as the G3 Minstrel Stakes hero and G1 Phoenix Stakes second Air Chief Marshal (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Former Coolmore stallion Highland Reel is now plying his trade in Japan, and, despite delivering a front-running tour-de-force in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in 2016, has not been well-represented on American shores. However, five of his American runners (71%) are winners from seven runners. His best is the GIII Surfer Girl Stakes heroine Comanche Country (Ire).
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