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First American Pharoah trials in southern hemisphere

With the first southern hemisphere crop of American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) on the cusp of making their debuts on racecourses in Australasia, the first two-year-old of this much anticipated progeny turned heads when putting in a sparkling trial at Ruakaka on Tuesday. 

The Tony Pike trained colt - who is currently unnamed -  surged home over the top of his rivals to win his 700 metre heat by a colt by Ocean Park (Thorn Park) by two and a half lengths. 

Purchased by his trainer for NZ$150,000 at Book 1 of this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Karaka Yearling Sale from the Curraghmore draft, the colt is out of the Listed-winning mare Strada Cavallo (Alamosa). 

The colt’s third dam is Abenezra (Rory's Jester) - the dam of Pennacchio (Align), who in turn produced National Day Cup (Gr 3, 1000m) winner Full Of Beauty (Darci Brahma). 

In 2019 Strada Cavallo produced a colt by the late Widden Stud sire Sebring (More Than Ready) and has most recently been covered by Coolmore Stud-based sire Pierro (Lonhro). 

American Pharoah’s first crop of southern hemisphere yearlings were well received by buyers in the sales ring, with 63 selling for an aggregate of $14,443,543 at an average of $229,262. 

The son of Pioneerof The Nile (Empire Maker) has sired ten stakes winners, headed by Grade 2-winning pair Sweet Melania and Four Wheel Drive and he stands at Coolmore’s Australia base for a fee of $55,000 (inc GST).