Donegal Racing and Repole Racing’s favored Mo Donegal, purchased at Keeneland’s 2020 September Yearling Sale, took command with a furlong remaining in today’s 154th running of the $1.5 million Belmont (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park to capture the third leg of the Triple Crown. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the 3-year-old colt by Uncle Mo for trainer Todd Pletcher, who also conditioned runner-up Nest, another graduate of the September Sale who won Keeneland’s Central Bank Ashland (G1) for fillies in April.
Mo Donegal is the 10th Keeneland sales graduate to win the Belmont since 2006, joining Sir Winston (2019), undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (2018), Creator (2016), Palace Malice (2013) Ruler On Ice (2011), Drosselmeyer (2010), Da’Tara (2008), Rags to Riches (2007) and Jazil (2006).
Jerry Crawford for Donegal Racing paid $250,000 for Mo Donegal, who also won the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino and Remsen (G2), at the September Sale from the consignment of Ashview Farm, agent. Ashview bred Mo Donegal with Colts Neck Stables. (Click here for a video of the colt at the September Sale.)
Nest also was bred by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables and consigned by Ashview, agent, to the 2020 September Sale, where she sold for $350,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Repole Stable. Eclipse and Repole own Nest with Michael House. She was ridden by Irad Ortiz’s brother, Jose Ortiz.
The 2020 September Sale also produced the Belmont’s third-place finisher, Skippylongstocking.
Keeneland sales graduates accounted for other graded stakes victories on Saturday at Belmont: Casa Creed successfully defended his title in winning the Jaipur (G1); Regal Glory took the Just a Game (G1) to record her fourth consecutive graded stakes win and Fearless won the Brooklyn (G2).
Since its first race meet more than 85 years ago, the Keeneland Association has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. The world’s largest Thoroughbred auction house, Keeneland conducts four sales a year, in January, April, September and November. Graduates of Keeneland sales dominate racing across the globe at every level. In April and October, Keeneland offers some of the highest caliber and richest Thoroughbred racing in the world. Keeneland hosted the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in 2015 and 2020 and is holding the event again on Nov. 4-5, 2022. Uniquely structured, Keeneland is a privately held company with a not-for-profit mission that returns its earnings to the industry and the community in the form of higher purses and millions of dollars donated in support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions for education, research, and health and human services throughout Central Kentucky. Keeneland also maintains the Keeneland Library, a world-renowned public research institution with the mission of preserving information about the Thoroughbred industry. To learn more, visit Keeneland.com.
For more information contact:
Amy Gregory at 859 361-3490
Amy Owens at 859 421-2566