Ashford Stud's American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) is the likely champion freshman sire after a productive Breeders' Cup (see the latest Taking Stock by Sid Fernando), and the winners just keep coming for the 2015 American Triple Crown hero. Nile River and Danon Pharaoh (Jpn), who both struck going a mile over the Tokyo dirt Nov. 9 and 10th, respectively, became the 21st and 22nd winners for the former Zayat colorbearer. He later picked up his 23rd winner in Sunday's nightcap at Del Mar.
Bred by Rosedown Racing Stable, LLC in Kentucky, Nile River stalked the pace in third while saving ground against the fence for much of Saturday's contest. Tipped out at the head of the lane by Christophe Soumillon, he took dead aim on the frontrunner and forged clear to win by a half-length (video) in his first start. The son of Jeweliana (Smart Strike) races for owner Yukio Baba and trainer Hideaki Fujiwara.
Originally purchased for $235,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling by Carlo Vaccarezza, the dark bay matured into a $775,000 FTFMAR 2-year-old after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 flat from the Top Line Sales consignment, where he was snapped up by Katsumi Yoshida. He is the second foal and second winner for his dam after the sophomore Slippy (Malibu Moon) and is followed by a yearling full-sister. Jeweliana, who is a daughter of three-time graded winner Roshani (Fantastic Light), was covered by American Pharoah's barnmate Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) this spring.
Second in the slop when unveiled at Tokyo Oct. 26, Danon Pharaoh led from pillar-to-post to win by 1 1/4 lengths for Danox Co. Ltd. and trainer Yoshito Yahagi Sunday. A $350,000 in utero purchase by Katsumi Yoshida during the 2016 Keeneland November Sale, Danon Pharaoh is out of GI Santa Anita Oaks and GIII Santa Ysabel S. heroine Crisp (El Corredor). He sold for ¥180,000,000 ($1,621,622) to Danox Co. when consigned by breeder Northern Farm during the JRHA Select Yearling Sale in 2018 (video). Crisp, a half-sister to SW Deer Valley (Speightstown), is from the extended family of GI Futurity S. hero and sire Whywhywhy (Mr. Greeley), as well as MGSW Spellbinder (Tale of the Cat).
Both Nile River and Danon Pharaoh were featured in Alan Carasso's Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan column for Nov. 9-10.
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