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 Detain at Del Mar.
Detain Prevails At Del Mar
Juddmonte's Detain, third in the 2025 G1 Prix du Jockey Club, got off the mark in his second American start at Del Mar on Friday evening (video). Bred by Swordlestown Little, the four-year-old colt is now trained by Michael McCarthy.
Offered by his breeder at the 2022 Goffs November Foal Sale, the son of Nisriyna (Intikhab) was picked up by Juddmonte for €340,000. Trained by John and Thady Gosden in the U.K., the son of Wootton Bassett won his first two starts at two from three appearances and added a third win in his three-year-old bow. Before switching Stateside, he ran third in the G2 Joel Stakes. Detain is a half-brother to a trio of stakes horses led by dual Group 3 winner Arrest (Frankel), who was second in the G1 St Leger, and Dinozzo, successful in the G3 Centenary Vase in Hong Kong, as well as third in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. His dam is a half-sister to multiple group winner Narniyn (Dubawi), second in the G1 Nassau Stakes and third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Coolmore's late Wootton Bassett continues to burnish his sire record posthumously. Detain is his 29th winner from 60 runners (48%) in the U.S. His octet of stakes winners there include a trio of Grade I winners. All scored in Breeders' Cup Turf races, with Audarya winning the Filly & Mare Turf, and Unquestionable and Henri Matisse both striking in the GI Juvenile Turf.
Repeat Winners
Victorious Dream (Ghaiyyath) won for the second time in her career when taking a Del Mar contest on Friday afternoon (video). The Michael McCarthy trainee is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Sabby Racing and Michael House.
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