Al Jafara (GB)

April 12, 2025 - Keeneland, Race 8, USD $89,963, 1 1/16mT, 3yo, f

Dam: Predawn (Ire) , by Fastnet Rock (Aus)

Owner: Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn
Breeder: V. I. Araci (GB)
Trainer: Chad C. Brown

Making the move from France to the States for new connections, Al Jafara (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) rewarded their patience with a 'TDN Rising Star' effort against allowance foes at Keeneland.

Fourth against allowance company on unveiling at Chantilly for owner Mansour Aguel and trainer Hedi Ghabri, she returned nine days later at the venue to take on maidens going 1 1/8-miles. She relished the extra real estate and graduated from that condition by 1 1/4 lengths Sept. 16. Entered into Arqana's Arc sale set for last October, she changed hands to her current owners for €250,000 and was exported to the States. She moved to the barn of Chad Brown and resurfaced on the worktab at Payson in December.

The bettors liked what they saw from the European import and saw fit to make her the 5-2 favorite for her U.S. debut with first-time Lasix. Breaking well but content to play the caboose, Al Jafara watched the field roll along through :23.39, :48.37, and six furlongs in 1:13.76 but had to come as far as seven wide into the lane when the field closed ranks in the far bend. Producing an eye-catching move to surge to the front as she inhaled her competition with a sixteenth left to go, Al Jafara cleared off to win by 1 3/4 lengths over fellow European expat Bessie Abott (Ire) (Kuroshio {Aus}).

The 'Rising Star' is Pinatubo's second U.S. winner from five starters.

The victress is her dam's second winner from three to the races. She has a juvenile half-brother by Too Darn Hot (GB) as well as a yearling half-sister by Oasis Dream (GB). Said dam, Predawn (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), is a placed full-sister to several-time Bahrainian champion Shogun (Ire) and G1 Investec Oaks winner Qualify (Ire). That sister would go on to produce G3 Shadwell Jebel Ali Mile victor Swing Vote (GB) (Shamardal) as well as G3 Prix la Force winner Cualificar (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

Further down, the elite black type in the female family only becomes more concentrated as relatives include the likes of multiple Group 1 winner Brian Boru (GB) (Sadler's Wells); multiple group winner and GI Breeders' Cup Turf-placed Sea Moon (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}); and GI Kentucky Oaks victress MGISW Flute (Seattle Slew).

8th-Keeneland, $89,963, Alw, 4-12, (NW1X), 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:44.23, gd, 1 3/4 lengths.
AL JAFARA (GB), f, 3, by Pinatubo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Predawn (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
                2nd Dam: Perihelion (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Medicosma, by The Minstrel
Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $66,026. O-Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn; B-V. I. Araci (GB); T-Chad C. Brown. *15,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT; €37,000 2yo '24 ARQBRU; €250,000 2yo '24 ARARC.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored FanDuel.