Spendthrift Farms have added four new stallions to their expanded roster for 2023. Among them, two carry the important distinction of winning second-odds. Both precocious horses achieved success on the track following juvenile campaigns.
Mo Donegal (Uncle Mo – Callingmissbrown, of Pulpit) took home a tough win at GII Remsen S. 2021 and went on to win this year’s Classic. his new classmate Jackie’s Warrior (Music by Maclean — Unicorn Girl, of AP Five Hundred) came close to an undefeated season in second place, but overtook her game in third to be named Champion Sprinter Eclipse in 2021.
Jackie’s Warrior’s remarkable career is marked by five Grade I points beginning with him dominating New York’s underage division in 2020. Spendthrift’s Mark Toothaker admits that before he did. ponies debuted in the GII Saratoga Special S., their stallion nominee team had their eye on a race candidate difference. But after phoning Steve Asmussen’s assistant Scott Blasi, who told them Jackie’s Warrior was the one they needed to look out for, they turned their attention to his flying son. Music by Maclean.
“Next thing you know, the horse did exactly what Scott said he was going to do and I was on the plane heading there trying to make a deal,” Toothaker recalls with a laugh. “We were very lucky to be able to join him early.”
After a three-match win in the Saratoga Special, Jackie’s Warrior set a new bet record in Hopeful and then won the 100 Beyer Speed Figure in his 5 1/2 long Champagne win.
“It took a special 2-year-old to do what he did,” explains Toothaker. “The amazing thing is how big and strong he is. He is a muscular horse with a lot of bones. When you first saw him at 2 years old, you thought he was the biggest kid on the playground.”
In his Eclipse-worthy second season, Jackie’s Warriors racked up four graded bet wins highlighted by GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S., where he went head-to-head with MGISW Life Is Good (Into Mischief). His four graded bet wins in four include his fifth straight win at Saratoga in GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H., where he became the first horse in 159-year history. of the track won first place for three consecutive seasons.
Toothaker recalls visiting Jackie’s Warrior one morning during Derby week before the sprinter won the GI Churchill Downs S. The back was busy and the Asmussen team had a number of prominent contenders on board. that weekend, but the calm Steve Asmussen spent more than half an hour talking about his superstar intern.
“He was so proud he bought the horse for $95,000 at the Keeneland Sale,” Toothaker said. “He said, ‘Teeth, where are all the experts? Did they all go to lunch when he was selling?’ He is very proud that he has chosen a horse for the Robison family, they are wonderful people. It has been amazing to meet Kirk and Judy Robison and develop a friendship with them and their descendants over the past three years.”
Jackie’s warrior, the highest earning son of Music by Macleanwill cost $50,000 in 2023. The Champion has been in high demand with breeders and has amassed a high-quality book to start his breeding career.
“I’ve had a lot of people come to the farm and say he’s possibly the best they’ve ever seen of all the new varieties. [stallions], ” said the dentist. “Almost every mares he has is a bet winner or a bet maker, so he will take every opportunity with the mares he gets.”
Mo Donegal’s spending has been received by breeders with similar enthusiasm. New boss Uncle Mo has had two sons joining the Kentucky stallion in the past two years.
“We would love to have a son of Uncle Mo because that is what our breeders want,” explains Toothaker. “Last year [Spendthrift sire] The Yaupon is the second most popular horse in North America. Mo Donegal is a large, supple horse. What I love about him is that although he is 16’2 and a half tall, he has a nice body and a very nice hip.
Going two for three as a teenager, Mo Donegal won an interesting version of GII Remsen S. when he pitted future Class I winner Zandon (start) down the long haul and survive the manager’s investigation to win the gap. Todd Pletcher’s student placed third in this year’s GIII Holy Bull S. before taking another win in the GII Wood Memorial S. over the eventual winner of the GI Preakness S. Early voting (gunman). In the GI Kentucky Derby, he drew the track and raced 10 wide in the ramp for fifth place.
Mike Repole won a minority interest in Mo Donegal just before his Kentucky Derby bid and was rewarded in the foal’s next start at GI Belmont S., where he finished first. third place runner-up, fellow Ashview Farm/Colts Neck Stables- Nest, who is also co-owned by Repole Stables.
“I know it’s a very special day for Mike and his family, the Lyster family and for Todd,” Toothaker said. “With Mo Donegal, one of the biggest factors for us is that Mike Repole is our partner. Mike brings a lot of energy and when you have a guy buy 71 chicks at Keeneland Sale it’s been a great thing for us to know that we got his support just like we do. available at Vino Rosso.”
One of Uncle Motop three earners along with a Classic winner Nyquista top third-season boar this year, as well as champion Golden Pal who is also set to begin his breeding career, Mo Donegal will cost $20,000 in 2023. His daughter Callingmissbrown , daughter of GI Acorn S. Victress and Kentucky Oaks Island Sand runner-up GI (Tabasco Cats), created two other winners including 2-year-old daughter Prank (Into Mischief), who was named the ‘TDN’s Rising Star’ after her first 9 3/4 win at Saratoga this summer.
“For Mo Donegal, having won a graded two in Remsen, a tough, grueling one-mile and one-eighth race, but still able to do what he did. done as a 3-year-old in Wood Memorial and at the top in Belmont, it takes a very good horse to do that,” noted Toothaker. “Mo Donegal is one of the best in his class. There is a lot to offer breeders, especially for $20,000.”
