Family Way Newest Graded Stakes Winner for Uncle Mo
It was a second career stakes victory for Family Way (5m Uncle Mo x Susie’s Baby, by Giant’s Causeway) on Saturday when the gray won the Grade III Orchid Stakes at Gulfstream Park for her first graded stakes victory.
The 1 ½ mile turf race saw Family Way break well before settling a few paths off the rail. The mare was nice and relaxed under Tyler Gaffalione, conserving her energy as she prepared to make a late run for the win.
That run came around the turn as the field entered the final quarter mile with that wide run paying off down the stretch. Racing in the middle of the track, she easily passed everyone in front of her to win by 1 ¾ lengths for her fifth career victory.
Trained by Brendan Walsh for Hunter Valley Farm, Debra O’Connor, and Marc Detampel, Family Way was a $775,000 purchase by Godolphin at the 2018 Keeneland September Sale. Starting her career with wins in France, Fergus Galvin purchased her in 2020 and sent her to the United States.
Since being repatriated back to her home country, the Diamond Creek Farm-bred Family Way has won or placed in four of her six stakes attempts.
Family Way adds even more success to young Ashford stallion Caravaggio’s family with the filly out of a winning half-sister to that sire. Her dam is also a half-sister to Grade II winner My Jen, who has produced Group III winner Purpur Ray and Grade III-placed Satono Gold.
Family Way has a 2-year-old half-sister by undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify and a yearling full sister.
She is one of 10 stakes performers and three stakes winners for top sire Uncle Mo in 2022 and the 43rd graded stakes winner for her sire.