CHC Chairman, Mr Teo Ah Khing with North Dakota
The world’s greatest stallion left his influence on Chengdu’s CEA National Tour Final when his attractive son North Dakota overcame significant obstacles to win the 3000m Final. The blossoming North Dakota left an indelible impression on onlookers as he stamped himself as a star for the coming seasons at what was only his fifth career start.
North Dakota(No 7) at the 3000m race
North Dakota is a son of the breed shaping Galileo, champion sire in Europe in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and certain to be crowned champion sire again in 2014 thanks to the deeds of champion colt Australia and seven other individual G1 winners. Galileo is also the sire of the immortal and undefeated Frankel, regarded by many as the greatest racehorse of all time, and almost 50 individual G1 winners around the world. His influence has been felt in every racing region of the world except for China, until now.
CHC Jockey, Chen Li and North Dakota
“There is no stallion alive that can measure the success of Galileo and to have three of his sons in China, including North Dakota, is a real privilege,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager of the China Horse Club.
“Each of Galileo’s three sons that are part of the CHC China Racing Team is exceptionally well bred individuals and the best is ahead of them. Each has the capability not only of being a great racehorse in China but of being a stallion influence in their own right once their racing days are done. North Dakota is a wonderful example of just why Galileo is so exceptional. The best of North Dakota is ahead of him, he has a truly world class pedigree and I can see his sons and daughters winning on the CEA circuit in time as well.”
North Dakota is a half-brother to a G2 winner Admiral of the fleet and his dam Rafina is a full-sister to French champion 2YO and quality sire Machiavellian and to the French champion 2YO filly Coup de Genie. It is a family that has rarely left the care of the Magnier family that own the world’s premier stud Coolmore and it is easy to see why with examples such as North Dakota. In his three starts in 2014 the athletic bay has finished second in the CECF Hurun Cup, second in the 2014 Wuhan CEA National Tour Champion and won the 2014 Chengdu CEA National Tour Final where he accounted for China’s premier staying performers.
“It was a very tough win by North Dakota in Chengdu understand some extreme circumstances,” said CHC trainer Quinton Cassidy.
“North Dakota lost a front shoe in an incident at about the 1000m mark that could have been nasty when a gap between the rail and the leading horse nearly closed on him. He was severely bumped and went close to falling.
“A shoe came lose but thankfully he stayed on his feet. [Jockey] Chen Li showed good balance and the initiative of someone who has been riding for 10 years to waited and let North Dakota find his rhythm again before North Dakota fought back to re-join the battle and showed real fight to win.”
North Dakota is one of the emerging talents in the CHC China Racing Team and part of the cornerstone of its 2015 plans.
CHC China Racing Team