Royal Ship According to Gary Mandella, son of Hall of Famer Richard Mandella, who missed the gelding’s winning ride during the July 30 San Diego Handicap (G2) match in Del Mar due to illness with COVID-19.
“He sounded a lot better when the Royal Ship won than he did this morning without the adrenaline,” Mandella said. “Thanks to things like TVG, he’s been able to watch it all. You’re definitely going to miss a lot less in these situations than you used to.”
Overcome formidable opponents like National Grammar, Stilleto boy and Mandaloun Mandella never doubted that her 6-year-old son Shipman was possible.
“He’s a horse that everyone who’s been around him believes he’s just as good,” Mandella said. “Early after he arrived from Brazil, he had some really bad rides and was trying to run some really big races and had no strategy in the situation to show it off.
“Don’t forget, he traded punches fairly evenly with Country Grammar last year.”
There are currently no future plans for the high-stakes winner as Mandella is waiting for her father’s health to return.
“Dad has a very mild case. He’s fine but he’s at home because that’s what you have to do. He’s fighting it a bit but he’ll be fine.”
