With Highclere Thoroughbred Racing targeting the USA, its their 3yo Royal Patronage who’s out to break his ‘classic hoo-doo’ in the New Kent County Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs.
In finishing behind the placegetters in both the Belmont and Saratoga Derby’s Royal Patronage was earlier second to the Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown in the important Dante Stakes.
A leading UK rated juvenile in winning the Royal Lodge Stakes and Acomb Stakes, he is now trained by English expatriate Graham Motion at the May Hill Training Centre in Maryland.
In drawing the rail for Joel Rosario, and wearing the red 1 saddlecloth, he’s by the influential Coolmore Australia shuttle sire Wootton Bassett, who also sired last year’s winner Wootton Asset.
A 62,000 Gns. purchase by Highclere at the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, he’s from the winning Dalakhani mare Shaloushka, and is the family of dual Derby winner Shahrastani.
Already a winner at 1m, and in 1 of 11 runners for this 1 1/8m contest on the Inner Turf Course, Royal Patronage will find the Woodhaven Stakes winner Unanimous Consent as his main danger.
Prepared by master turf trainer Chad Brown, and with Manuel Franco in the saddle, Unanimous Consent has drawn 7, and with three career wins is a son of French Derby winner Almanzor.
Also fancied, and drawing Gate 9, is the Claude McGaughey trained Limited Liability with Jose L Oritz up, and being by US Turf Champion sire Kitten’s Joy has won over 1 1/16m at Keeneland.
Chad Brown is again on cue for the Woodford Reserve sponsored Virginia Oaks with his Mr Speaker filly Oakhurst being fifth in the Saratoga Oaks, and second in the Wild Applause Stakes.
With Oakhurst drawing 13 of 14 starters, and to be ridden by Manuel Franco, the Oaks is also run over 1 1/8 m on the Inner Turf Course, won last year by the Victoria Oliver trained Flippant.
Catholic Boy’s trainer Jonathan Thomas has shipped-in his Arrogate filly Catiche, who finished second in both the Selene Stakes and Bourbonette Oaks, with Jevian Toledo riding from 3.
However, it’s the Kitten’s Joy Stakes being sponsored by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance that has been welcomed by all Virginians alike, and with the presentation of a TAA Rug and Bag.
Open to 2yo’s over 1 1/16m on the Inner Turf, it’s the Kentucky based Kenneth McPeek who has last start winner Rarified Flair highly fancied, with Julien Leparoux jumping from Gate 2.
That man Steve Asmussen cannot be over looked with his Not This Time colt Gigante drawing the rail, and with Feargal Lynch in the irons, having broken his maiden on dirt at Colonial Downs.
With the Virginia Horsemen’s Benevolent Protection Agency being a non-profit organisation, its members are owners and trainers licensed to race by the Virginia Racing Commission.
In being approved to race in Virginia, it negotiates horsemen’s contracts with Colonial Downs and provides benevolent services for individuals working on the backside of the racetrack.
Based in Lexington Kentucky, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a non-profit body that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved thoroughbred aftercare organisations.
In retraining, rehoming and to retire thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding, it obtains funding from its original partners the Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association.
The TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members, with over $24.5m being granted to accredited aftercare organisations.
Since inception in 2012, it has grown to currently 82 aftercare organizations with approximately 180 facilities across North America that have been granted accreditation.
