Mo Donegal
Mo Donegal | |
---|---|
Sire | Uncle Mo |
Grandsire | Indian Charlie |
Dam | Callingmissbrown |
Damsire | Pulpit |
Sex | Colt |
Foaled | April 19, 2019 |
Country | United States |
Color | Bay |
Breeder | Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables |
Owner | Donegal Racing & Repole Stable (after 29 April 2022) |
Trainer | Todd Pletcher |
Record | 7:4-0-2 |
Earnings | $1,511,800 |
Major wins | |
Remsen Stakes (2021) Wood Memorial (2022) American Triple Crown wins: Belmont Stakes (2022) | |
Last updated on June 11, 2022 |
Mo Donegal (foaled April 19, 2019) is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse that won the 2022 Belmont Stakes horse race.[1] The horse is owned by Donegal Racing and Repole Stable.
Background
Mo Donegal is named for his sire the champion horse Uncle Mo and the horse's co-owner Donegal racing.[2]
Mo Donegal is a bay colt bred by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Farm and consigned to the Keeneland sale by Ashview Farm. Mo Donegal is the second of three foals by Callingmissbrown and her lone stakes winner to date. She also has a 2-year-old Into Mischief filly named Prank, who sold for $500,000 by agent Frank Brothers, from Ashview's consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Jerry Crawford, CEO of Donegal Racing bought Mo Donegal for $250,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and he was named later.[2] Prior to the running of the 2022 Kentucky Derby Mike Repole spent to buy a 25% share of Mo Donegal.[3]
Racing career
2021: two-year-old season
Mo Donegal began his racing career on 30 September in a Maiden Special Weight event over 6+1⁄2 furlongs at Belmont Park. Starting at odds of over 9/1 in a field of seven Mo Donegal broke slowly, was urged by jockey Javier Castellano along while dropping well off the pace. He was steadied briefly with the +1⁄2 mile to run, and was guided from the rail to the two path before the five-sixteenths, was driven four wide into upper stretch. drifted out some in the final furlong and finished with late energy to secure the third place beaten by first time starter Varatti by 5+1⁄4 lengths.[4]
Returning to Belmont Park on 21 October to run over a longer distance of 1+1⁄16 miles, Mo Donegal once again broke a step slow, settling off the early pace. He came under urging late from jockey Irad Ortiz Jr on the backstretch and the moved from three to five wide on the turn, chasing leader Fromanothamutha. Mo Donegal passed the leader outside near the sixteenth-pole and broke his maiden under strong urging by 1+1⁄2 lengths in a time of 1:44.50.[5]
In his last start of the year trainer Todd Pletcher entered Mo Donegal in the premier long-distance event for two-years-old in the US, the Grade II Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. The event turned into a dog-fight between favorite Zandon and Mo Donegal who was the second pick that needed stewards intervention to dismiss a lodged protest by jockey John Velazquez of Zandon. Mo Donegal dueled down the stretch with Zandon, finishing a nose in front, but only after the two horses and their riders competed in tight quarters late. Mo Donegal drifted inward from the center of the track under right-handed urging from winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr, who nearing the wire, threw crosses with his left rein. He appeared to make contact with Zandon or that one's rider, John Velazquez. The two horses also bumped just before the wire. They finished 9+3⁄4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Midnight Chrome 1+1⁄8 miles on a fast track in 1:53.61. Owners Donegal Racing won their second Remsen after first victorious in 2011 with the Dale Romans-trained O'Prado Again, while Todd Pletcher tallied his third victory in the event.[6]
2022: three-year-old season
Mo Donegal began his three-year-old season in South Florida at Gulfstream Park in Grade III Holy Bull Stakes on 5 February. Starting as the 8/5 favorite Mo Donegal broke slowly, saved ground recovering to midpack early, moved out four wide idling a bit under pressure approaching the stretch, had a mild late surge on the far outside and finished third by 4+1⁄2 lengths to White Abarrio in a time of 1:424⁄5.[7] Todd Pletcher after the event said, "I was happy with the way he closed. It actually kind of hurt us that second placed Simplification didn't break well because it kind of altered the fractions of the race and there wasn't a whole lot of pace on, and that's always a disadvantage at Gulfstream."[8] Mo Donegal was supposed to target the Fountain of Youth Stakes but a fever forced Pletcher to change plans.[9]
Todd Pletcher shipped Mo Donegal back to New York State where he had been successful. On April 9 Mo Donegal ran in the Grade II Wood Memorial at Aqueduct where he was victorious as a two-year-old. Facing seven other three-year-olds broke near the back while carried in a bit.[10] After rallying from last in the field of eight and erasing pacesetting Early Voting's two-length lead at the eighth pole, Mo Donegal picked up 100 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby to vault into fourth in points with 112 and was assured for a start toward the May 7 opening leg of the Triple Crown.[11]
With 112 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Mo Donegal figured to be one of the chance to win the Kentucky Derby. Starting at odds of 10/1 Mo Donegal drew Post 1 as on habit broke awkwardly and was away behind the field. He was unhurried toward the inside near the back of the pack by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. He was forced out ten wide leaving the second turn and was making up ground far too late finishing nearly 4 lengths in fifth place behind shock winner Rich Strike.[12] Connections decided to pass up on the Preakness Stakes, second leg of the Triple Crown.
On 11 June, Mo Donegal was entered to the Belmont Stakes and faced his stablemate, the filly Nest and 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and five other horses.[13] Mo Donegal was selected as the fourth pick in the field starting at odds of just over 5/1.[13]
Mo Donegal coaxed from the gate, went two to three wide through the opening bend before settling three wide in pursuit down the backstretch in mid pack. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr swung the colt four wide into upper stretch with dead aim on the leaders We The People and Skippylongstocking, taking over the lead three-sixteenths from home, edged clear under a drive shying out under a left handed stick 100 yards from home defeating his Nest by three lengths in a time of 2:28.28.[13] Mike Repole who bought 25% share of Mo Donegal managed to score an exacta with Nest in second. In winning a fourth Belmont, Todd Pletcher achieved the feat for the fourth time with a horse who ran on Kentucky Derby weekend and then receiving a five weeks rest before winning the event.[14]
Donegal Racing announced in early July that Mo Donegal left the Belmont with a bone bruising and would be out of training for 60 days. Trainer Todd Pletcher said the injury would prevent Mo Donegal from running in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland.[15] The timing of the injury would ultimately lead to the horse's retirement.[16]
Statistics
Date | Distance | Race | Grade | Track | Odds | Field | Finish | Winning time | Winning (Losing) margin | Jockey | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 – Two-year-old season | ||||||||||||
Sep 30, 2021 | 6+1⁄2 furlongs | Maiden Special Weight | Belmont Park | 9.40 | 7 | 3 | 1:17.19 | (5+1⁄4 lengths) | Javier Castellano | [4] | ||
Oct 21, 2021 | 1+1⁄16 miles | Maiden Special Weight | Belmont Park | 1.35* | 9 | 1 | 1:44.50 | 1+1⁄2 lengths | Irad Ortiz Jr | [5] | ||
Dec 4, 2021 | 1+1⁄8 miles | Remsen Stakes | II | Aqueduct | 1.45 | 8 | 1 | 1:53.61 | Nose | Irad Ortiz Jr | [17] | |
2022 – Three-year-old season | ||||||||||||
Feb 5, 2022 | 1+1⁄16 miles | Holy Bull Stakes | III | Gulfstream Park | 1.70* | 9 | 3 | 1:42.80 | (4+1⁄2 lengths) | Irad Ortiz Jr | [7] | |
Apr 9, 2022 | 1+1⁄8 miles | Wood Memorial | II | Aqueduct | 2.15 | 8 | 1 | 1:47.96 | Neck | Joel Rosario | [10] | |
May 7, 2022 | 1+1⁄4 miles | Kentucky Derby | I | Churchill Downs | 10.10 | 20 | 5 | 2:02.61 | (3+3⁄4 lengths) | Irad Ortiz Jr | [12] | |
Jun 11, 2022 | 1+1⁄2 miles | Belmont Stakes | I | Belmont Park | 2.60* | 8 | 1 | 2:28.28 | 3 lengths | Irad Ortiz Jr | [13] |
Stud career
Mo Donegal's retirement was announced on 16 September 2022. Donegal Racing's Jerry Crawford indicated that the bone bruising following the Belmont Stakes would not allow Mo Donegal to make his target races for the remainder of the year, and that the best decision was to retire him. Mo Donegal will stand at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Kentucky for an initial stud fee of $20,000 in 2023.[16]
Pedigree
Sire Uncle Mo 2008 | Indian Charlie 1995 | In Excess (IRE) 1987 | Siberian Express 1981 |
---|---|---|---|
Kantado (IRE) 1976 | |||
Soviet Sojourn 1989 | Leo Castelli 1984 | ||
Political Parfait 1984 | |||
Playa Maya 2000 | Arch 1995 | Kris S. 1977 | |
Aurora 1988 | |||
Dixie Slippers 1995 | Dixieland Band 1980 | ||
Cyane's Slippers 1983 | |||
Dam Callingmissbrown 2012 | Pulpit 1994 | A.P. Indy 1989 | Seattle Slew 1974 |
Weekend Surprise 1980 | |||
Preach 1989 | Mr Prospector* 1970 | ||
Narrate 1980 | |||
Island Sand 2001 | Tabasco Cat 1991 | Storm Cat 1983 | |
Barbicue Sauce 1983 | |||
Sue's Last Dance 1995 | Forty Niner*^ 1985 | ||
Savethelastdance 1988 (family 3-g)[19] |
*^ Mo Donegal is inbred 4D x 5D to the stallion Mr Prospector, meaning that he appears fourth and fifth generation (via Forty Niner)^ on the dam side of his pedigree.
References
- ^ "2022 Belmont Stakes winner". Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Ehalt, Bob (9 April 2022). "Late Momentum Carries Mo Donegal to Wood Score; The son of Uncle Mo rallied late to turn back Early Voting in the 1 1/8-mile test". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (12 June 2022). "Mo Donegal Rolls Home in Belmont Stakes; The son of Uncle Mo turned back Nest to win the third leg of the Triple Crown". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Chart for September 30, 2021 at Belmont Park - race 6". www.equibase.com. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Chart for October 21, 2021 at Belmont Park - race 7". www.equibase.com. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ King, Byron (4 December 2021). "Mo Donegal Survives Inquiry to Take Remsen; Mo Donegal nipped Zandon Dec. 4 after the pair raced in tight quarters at Aqueduct". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Holy Bull Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
- ^ King, Byron (5 February 2022). "White Abarrio Defeats Simplification in Holy Bull; Anticipated pacesetter Simplification rallied for second after breaking slowly". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (5 May 2022). "Mo Donegal Sparks Derby Dreams for Crawford & Donegal; Pletcher-trained son of Uncle Mo will be partnership's 4th Derby starter since 2010". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b "2022 Wood Memorial S. Presented by Resorts World Casino Grade 1 - (race 8)". Equibase. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
- ^ Ehalt, Bob (9 April 2022). "Late Momentum Carries Mo Donegal to Wood Score; The son of Uncle Mo rallied late to turn back Early Voting in the 1 1/8-mile test". bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Chart for the 2022 Kentucky Derby". Equibase. Archived from the original on May 8, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Chart for the 2022 Belmont Stakes". Equibase. 11 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ Rollins, Molly (11 June 2022). "Mo Donegal Rolls Home in Belmont Stakes; The son of Uncle Mo turned back Nest to win the third leg of the Triple Crown". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ BloodHorse Staff (2 July 2022). "Mo Donegal Sidelined With Bone Bruising". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Eric (17 September 2022). "Belmont Winner Mo Donegal Retired to Spendthrift". The BloodHorse. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ "Remsen Stakes Grade 2 - (race 8)". Equibase. 4 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Mo Donegal". Pedigree Query. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ "Thoroughbred Bloodlines - SATCHEL (GB) - Family 3-g". www.bloodlines.net. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
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- 1867 Ruthless ♥
- 1868 General Duke
- 1869 Fenian
- 1870 Kingfisher
- 1871 Harry Bassett
- 1872 Joe Daniels
- 1873 Springbok
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- 1875 Calvin
- 1876 Algerine
- 1877 Cloverbrook
- 1878 Duke Of Magenta
- 1879 Spendthrift
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- 1881 Saunterer
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- 1927 Chance Shot
- 1928 Vito
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- 1930 Gallant Fox ₩
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- 1933 Hurryoff
- 1934 Peace Chance
- 1935 Omaha ₩
- 1936 Granville
- 1937 War Admiral ₩
- 1938 Pasteurized
- 1939 Johnstown
- 1940 Bimelech
- 1941 Whirlaway ₩
- 1942 Shut Out
- 1943 Count Fleet ₩
- 1944 Bounding Home
- 1945 Pavot
- 1946 Assault ₩
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- 1948 Citation ₩
- 1949 Capot
- 1950 Middleground
- 1951 Counterpoint
- 1952 One Count
- 1953 Native Dancer
- 1954 High Gun
- 1955 Nashua
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- 1960 Celtic Ash
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- 1969 Arts and Letters
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- 1971 Pass Catcher
- 1972 Riva Ridge
- 1973 Secretariat ₩
- 1974 Little Current
- 1975 Avatar
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- 1977 Seattle Slew ₩
- 1978 Affirmed ₩
- 1979 Coastal
- 1980 Temperence Hill
- 1981 Summing
- 1982 Conquistador Cielo
- 1983 Caveat
- 1984 Swale
- 1985 Creme Fraiche
- 1986 Danzig Connection
- 1987 Bet Twice
- 1988 Risen Star
- 1989 Easy Goer
- 1990 Go and Go
- 1991 Hansel
- 1992 A.P. Indy
- 1993 Colonial Affair
- 1994 Tabasco Cat
- 1995 Thunder Gulch
- 1996 Editor's Note
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- 1998 Victory Gallop
- 1999 Lemon Drop Kid
- 2000 Commendable
- 2001 Point Given
- 2002 Sarava
- 2003 Empire Maker
- 2004 Birdstone
- 2005 Afleet Alex
- 2006 Jazil
- 2007 Rags to Riches ♥
- 2008 Da' Tara
- 2009 Summer Bird
- 2010 Drosselmeyer
- 2011 Ruler on Ice
- 2012 Union Rags
- 2013 Palace Malice
- 2014 Tonalist
- 2015 American Pharoah ₩
- 2016 Creator
- 2017 Tapwrit
- 2018 Justify ₩
- 2019 Sir Winston
- 2020 Tiz the Law
- 2021 Essential Quality
- 2022 Mo Donegal
- 2023 Arcangelo
- 2024 Dornoch
Legend – ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly