SPANISH KINGDOM
SPANISH KINGDOM (g, 3, Animal Kingdom–Ms. Vizcaya, by Successful Appeal) stalked the pace three wide throughout most of the race. He inched forward around the far turn to make a three wide bid for the lead turning for home. The Animal Kingdom gelding kicked clear in upper stretch and held sway through the lane. He was ridden out masterfully by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr through the final stages. Sales history: $16,000 Ylg ’18 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 7-2-1-0, $89,414. Owners-Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch; Breeders-Burden Creek LLC, Springland Farm & Godolphin (KY); Trainer-Joe Sharp.
Clark Shepherd (Shepherd Equine Advisers), bloodstock agent for Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch, purchased Spanish Kingdom at the 2018 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale for $16,000 from the consignment of St. George Sales. The Animal Kingdom gelding was identified as an OPTIMAL Mating Selection prior to the sale.
Commentary
Spanish Kingdom had been previously purchased as a weanling for $120,000. When I saw him at the FTKOCT18 Yearling Sale, he was very weedy and immature. But, he was correct enough, had all the right angles, a very good walk and a killer eye that looked straight through you. We were very fortunate to buy him for $16,000 as a result of his physical appearance at the time.
After breaking his maiden at Fair Grounds in March, he continued to train there even though the meet was over. The plan was to wait things out because of COVID-19 and run him at Churchill Downs when it opened. He continued to thrive under training and started to need a race because he was kicking the barn down.
The plan was made to send him to Oaklawn Park to just get a race in him even though Oaklawn doesn’t have a turf course. Long story short, he hated the dirt track and finished 10th beaten 15 lengths. DIRT NO MORE!
Because of the last race and the quality field that he was facing, Spanish Kingdom was allowed to go off at 26.50-1 odds and paid $55 to win for his return to the turf at Churchill Downs! In his victory, he defeated Tiesto ($600K OBSAPR 2YO), Kid Mercury ($475K OBSMAR 2YO), Noble Order ($210K KEESEP yearling) and Czechmight ($310K KEESEP yearling). Challenge The Commercial Status-Quo!
OPTIMAL Mating Analysis
Horses bred on OPTIMAL Matings have proven to possess more potential to become superior racehorses. In fact, most will break their maiden in the first two starts. Combined with a good physical, good vetting and a price that falls within a budget, OPTIMAL Matings help to focus on buying or breeding better racehorses.
OPTIMAL Mating Factors for Spanish Kingdom
- Outcross Percentage = 87% (OPTIMAL >= 70%)
- Linebreeding Balance = 8 (OPTIMAL <= 10)
- 2nd Generation Linebreeding Balance = 0 (OPTIMAL <= 17)
- Grand sire/Grand dam Pair Percentage = 4% (OPTIMAL <= 17%)
- Gender-balanced Linebreeding Difference = 1 (OPTIMAL <= 2)
- Number of Dominant Runner Female Families = 4 (OPTIMAL >= 4)
- Number of Dominant Sire Female Families = 4 (OPTIMAL >= 1)
NOTE: All 7 factors are met.
Key Linebreedings
- 6,6×6 Northern Dancer – through sons Lyphard and Staff Writer
- 6×5 Roberto – gender-balanced through daughter Sookera and son Kris S.
Whether you are new to the game, experiencing more losses than wins or just looking for a new approach, I am confident that I can help you breed or buy a better racehorse. To find out more about OPTIMAL Matings and how they can help your program, please subscribe to my Blog/News page HERE to receive future information on complimentary mating recommendations, sales short lists, stakes winner pedigree analysis, news on personal client success and any other random thoughts or ideas that I may have. Also, receive a complimentary copy of my report “Blind Luck or Designed Luck? – How A Kentucky Derby Winner Was Bred” sent directly to your inbox.
For inquiries or more information about Shepherd Equine Advisers, please contact Clark Shepherd at 859-321-6618, or by email at clark@bloodstock-agent-ky.com.
I would love to hear any comments or questions that you may have. Please submit them below. Maybe we can address them in a future post!