Buck Pharoah Beats Elders in Australia

It was another Australian winner for American Pharoah overnight when Buck Pharoah (2g American Pharoah x Sequential, by Lion Hunter) put the bridesmaid finishes in his first two starts behind him with a one length victory in his third.

Racing over five furlongs on the dirt, the gelding was taking on older rivals in the affair but that didn’t stop him from visiting the winner’s circle.

Racing in the middle of the field, Buck Pharoah was widest of all as the field turned into the stretch and started his charge. It took most of the ground between the turn and the wire for Buck Pharoah to find the lead, but find it he did as he crossed the line with his ears pricked and everyone but the second place runner more than three lengths behind.

Purchased by trainer Neil Godbolt from the High Grove Stud draft at Magic Millions last June, Buck Pharoah is headed for a break after his victory. Godbolt is looking forward to his return with his true plans for the horse coming when he stretches out in distance.

“He’ll go straight to the paddock now and in six months’ time he’s going to be a really handy horse,” said Godbolt. “He still hasn’t switched on yet, he’s just running on raw ability. I bought him as a mile, [1 ¼ mile] horse so what he’s done so far is a bonus.”

A half-brother to stakes winner Excitable Boy, he is one of five winners out of Sequential. That mare is a half-sister to stakes winners Order of the Sun, Beauty and Get to Work with another half-sister producing Group I winner Summer Passage.

A leading first and second crop sire in North America with his first crop of Australian runners on the track now, American Pharoah has started his third season with runners on the right note. The Triple Crown winner saw Café Pharoah become his third Grade I winner in the different countries two weeks ago.