Just weeks out from America’s flagship Keeneland September Yearling Sale, CHC’s American breeding program enjoyed another banner day with a brace of impressive victories by sales graduates.
Agate Road and Talk of the Nation stamped themselves as exciting prospects to add to an honour roll that already includes graduates of the standing of Kimari (G1) and Valiance (G1) with eye-catching wins at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs respectively.
First up, during closing weekend at the prestigious Saratoga Race Course, Agate Road, a 2-year-old son of CHC’s Grade I-winning mare Yellow Agate, rocketed to an improbable victory in a maiden special weight going long on the grass. He earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status for his performance. Agate Road ran too good to lose when a very close second in his off-turf debut at the Spa a month earlier.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, he was purchased by leading owners Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable for $650,000 at Keeneland September. His yearling full-sister brought the same price from Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Stud at last month’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale. Agate Road’s year-older full-sister Plentitude is a winner on both dirt and turf and is pointing for a stake at Aqueduct later this month.
Agate Road was the second ‘Rising Star’ from CHC’s 2021 crop purchased at Keeneland September, following Heartland, who debuted with a sensational performance at Del Mar in July.
CHC will send eight yearlings through this year’s Keeneland September Yearling Sale led by a stunning daughter of Constitution out of GISW Last Full Measure. The draft also includes yearlings from the first crop of champion Improbable, a colt by top sire Not This Time, a filly by red-hot young sire Audible and another well-bred filly by Constitution.
Talk of the Nation
About three hours after Agate Road’s victory, CHC homebred Talk of the Nation, owned in partnership with Joe Allen, scored a determined win in the $1-million Gun Runner S. at Kentucky Downs. Sitting the perfect stalking trip under Jose Ortiz on America’s most unique turf course, the 3-year-old colt collared his target in the lane and kept on finding for a gutsy half-length score.
“Talk of the Nation is tough as nails,” Christie DeBernardis, CHC’s Regional Manager of the Americas, said.
“He always gives it his all and never backs down from a fight. Jose is really getting to know him, so he knows the colt will always try hard for him, which gives a rider a lot of confidence. That was evident in the great ride Jose gave him.
“Talk of the Nation had some bad luck this spring, but we are thrilled to see him finally get another stakes win Saturday and look forward to his fall campaign.”
Talk of the Nation is out of the MGSW She’s Not Here, who hails from the family of Hall of Famer Zenyatta. His yearling half-brother by Improbable is being pointed for the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale.
If you would like to learn more about the China Horse Club exclusive membership offer, please email your inquiry to horses@chinahorseclub.com.