‘Beyoncé’ Brings Owners, Coaches to First Breeder’s Cup
Coach Nathan Squires knows one thing for sure as he watches a dark charcoal gray Prince Cairo at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale last October — he’ll find a way to bring her back to his barn at Honeysuckle.
Dirty one who will be named Cairo Consort became his top pick at the sale because he had a 3rd place winning male in his barn, the cub looked very athletic, and she was bred by Brendan and Olive Gallagher’s Frankfort Park Farm, which has bred five Breeders ‘Cup World Championship starters in the past eight years — including two-time Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winners Monomoy Girl .
“Honestly, her being raised by Frankfort Park was a major factor, the main reason why I wanted her,” Squires said. “Where these horses are bred and bred makes all the difference, and I had Monomoy Girl in mind.”
The trainer gets sales support from William Thompson Jr., owner of Maple Lane Farm, who initially set a $50,000 budget for the dirty item but then moved on. In the end, they went to $95,000.
“When she passed $50,000, I looked the other way, trying to figure out how to get this crap. Bill was sitting right next to me and I didn’t see him still bidding.” Squires said. “I didn’t realize we had her until the bidder brought us the ticket to sign.”
Squires and Thompson’s instincts about Cairo Consort have proven correct and will now be the kick-off for the Breeders’ first Cup on November 4 when the little girl, whose name in the barn is Beyoncé, competes for the prize. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).
Cairo Consort acquired the name Beyoncé during her initial training at Big Easy Racing & Sales near Dunnellon, Fla., West Ocala.
“She went there with a few horses and I went to check them out in December,” Squires said. “All the horses have nicknames because they haven’t been named yet and I asked Prince Cairo what he was doing. ‘Oh, you mean Beyoncé?” The name was coined because it was appropriate; she’s confident, she’s beautiful and she can be a diva sometimes. “
The trainer said that 90% of the time Cairo Consort is quiet and approachable. And then 10%, when she tells you she’s ready to fight. The gritty side of her personality has served her well on the track.
“I said it every time someone asked me to describe her, she was fearless and she had a great mind,” he said.
Cairo Consort finished third on Woodbine’s Tapeta main track debut but has only competed on grass since.
“Prince Cairo loves the turf, and I always try any horse on the field at least once,” says Squires. “I’m a big believer in grass racing because of my background. I come from Barbados where we take the field seriously, and I went to university in the UK for two years and am a person. die-hard fans of European motorsport. I think grass is more natural for them.”
Cairo Consort became the winner of the second start on the pitch and then became the bet winner in 6 games of Catch a Glimpse 1 round 2, which she won by 2 and a half rounds. Next, she tried the Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes (G1T) rated company and came in second behind Last call after being blocked and continuously stopped in the beginning. Last Call will also compete in the Juvenile Lawn for coach Kevin Attard and owner X-Men Racing and SF Racing, who are also partners (along with Madaket Stables) in the Queen’s winner. Plate Stakes Moira who will compete at Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
Squires said: “In Catch a glimpse all the gaps are opened. In Natalma, the gaps are closed. It was just luck. By the time she had room to run, she had done too much.” Squires said. “Since then, she’s been training forward. She’s gotten bigger, she’s gotten stronger, and she’s training phenomenally. In theory, the race looks pretty open. .”
Joel Rosario has a mount on the Cairo Consort, being one of two Breeders’ Cup participants bred by Frankfort Park. The other is regenerative force the son of Air Force Blue , who is joining Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T). The pony owned by Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel and Fergus Galvin was also sold at Fasig-Tipton in October, for $30,000 for the Magnolia Racing Syndicate.
Reckoning Force will feature an equipment and rider change for the Juvenile Turf, racing for the first time against blitz players and with Tyler Gaffalione on board. In his earlier starts, including victory in the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Stakes and a no-place attempt in the Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes (G2T) at Keenelandhe was ridden by Rosario.
According to Gallagher, Cairo Consort will be offered as a sales/racing prospect at Fasig-Tipton’s The November Sale, a curated sale and her pedigree will appeal to some serious buyers. , according to Gallagher. Street Cry Complete Awesome’s adorable daughter, half-sister to a high school student who won the first prize Wonderful Maria (Maria’s Mon). Cairo Consort’s third dam is winner in Alabama Stakes (G1) Quite discreet 1st grader’s dam Discreet cat and My Discreet , bet winner in grade 1 Pretty wild and Confidential Treasure is deposited level 3.
Gallagher said of Cairo Consort: “She has a huge pedigree, really as good as it gets. “And her dam wasn’t there this year, so we have a big dilemma ahead because she’s now come out a 1st place winner so her value has gone up. “