Dream Start To The Stallion Career Of American Pharoah

Just one day after Gleneagles made a perfect start to his stallion career, the first runner by US Triple Crown hero American Pharoah scored impressively over five furlongs at Naas.

All eyes were on Monarch Of Egypt (2c American Pharoah - Up, by Galileo) for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race and it was no surprise to see Aidan O’Brien’s first juvenile runner of the year sent off favourite. Breaking smartly under Ryan Moore, the bay disputed the lead with the well-bred Phase After Phase until asserting two furlongs from home and was pushed clear to win by two and three quarter lengths, in comfortable fashion.

The delighted winning trainer later commented, “That was lovely. He is a straightforward and honest horse who has been showing us plenty on the gallops at home. This was his first time away so you would imagine there will be plenty of improvement. He is uncomplicated and has a lovely mind.” O’Brien added that Royal Ascot is on the agenda for Monarch Of Egypt, though he would expect to run the colt again before then.

Bred by Ran Jan Racing Inc out of dual Group winner and French Guineas second Up, Monarch Of Egypt was bought by M.V. Magnier for $750,000 at the Keeneland September Sale. His dam won her two-year-old maiden, but American Pharoah truly excelled as a juvenile, gaining his maiden victory in the Grade 1 Futurity Stakes and followed up in the Grade 1 Frontrunner Stakes just three weeks later.

Returning the following Spring, American Pharoah won on six successive occasions, including his famous Triple Crown, making him the first horse to complete the feat in 37 years. In all, the son of Pioneerof The Nile claimed eight Grade 1 victories during his career and amassed almost $9million in prize money.

The best is yet to come from American Pharoah’s first crop, having covered 47 Group/Grade 1 winners and/or producers in his first season at stud.