Breeding & Racing Magazine

Royal Academy Adds US Gr2

In the US, former shuttler & now permanently Australian-based Coolmore stallion Royal Academy (Nijinsky-Crimson Saint, by Crimson Satan) added a graded-stakes success when 5YO mare Gotta Have Her (Royal Academy-Winnowing, by Rahy) flashed home to snatch victory by a neck in the US$200,000 Gr2 Palomar Handicap (8.5 furlongs on turf) for fillies & mares at Del Mar in California (after finishing 2nd in the same race last year). Gotta Have Her (ridden by Tyler Baze for trainer Jenine Sahadi) defeated front-running 4YO mare Lethal Heat (Unusual Heat-Lethal Leta, by Synastry) & Irish-bred favoured 4YO mare Carribean Sunset (Danehill Dancer-Bonheur, by Royal Academy). Gotta Have Her (a US$300,000 yearling at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale) took her record to 7 wins (also including April's Gr3 Las Cienegas Handicap over 6.5 furlongs at Santa Anita, plus 2007's Listed Harold Ramser Handicap over 8 furlongs at Santa Anita) & 9 placings (including last month's Gr1 John Mabee Handicap over 9 furlongs at Del Mar, plus July's Gr2 Royal Heroine Mile Stakes over 8 furlongs at Hollywood Park & January's Gr3 Tuzla Handicap over 8 furlongs at Santa Anita, as well as 2008's Gr2 Dahlia Handicap over 8.5 furlongs at Hollywood Park & Gr2 Palomar Handicap over 8.5 furlongs at Del Mar, in addition to 2007's Gr3 Providencia Stakes over 8 furlongs at Santa Anita & Listed China Doll Stakes over 8 furlongs at Santa Anita) from 22 starts for US$630,608 earnings.