Authentic Derby impact felt in Australia

Cover image courtesy of Racingfotos

The Bob Baffert-trained Authentic proved too strong in the famous race, repelling the challenge of odds-on favourite Tiz The Law (USA) (Constitution {USA}), and surging clear late for John Velazquez.

He became the first Kentucky Derby winner for both Spendthrift's owner B. Wayne Hughes and the stallion it stands, Into Mischief (USA). Spendthrift Australia's General Manager Garry Cuddy told TDN AusNZ, it was a significant milestone for the entire operation.

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"It's an obvious thrill for Mr Hughes and his family because it is the race which has eluded him for many years. It’s the one he has wanted most. For him to be able to get that result, it would mean so much to him," Cuddy said.

"It's a huge day for the farm, where we own the sire of the winner already and we purchased into this horse at the beginning of the year. To be able to have the team holding up the Kentucky Derby trophy is a wonderful day for the Spendthrift organisation."

Cuddy said the response from the industry in Australia to the win had been overwhelming.

"We may be a long way away from Kentucky today but the support that myself and my team have received from the rest of the Australian industry today has been phenomenal. It's something we are really grateful for and it’s been such an exciting morning," he said.

Many owners share the joy

A racing partnership that gives people chances to buy micro shares in racehorses, MyRaceHorse Stable sold pieces to 4500 owners, who spanned the globe from Ireland to Australia.

Two of those micro-shareholders were Spendthrift's own Garry Cuddy and his mother.

"MyRaceHorse is a wonderful organisation and a very innovative idea, which is why it caught Mr Hughes' attention and why Spendthrift became involved," he said.

"I can speak on that from a personal perspective in that I am a micro-shareholder in Authentic and I bought a share for my mum for her birthday.

"She's over the moon, and we might own but a single hair on the horse's back, but I can tell you, it feels like you won the race outright."

'A beautiful yearling'

The result was also a massive one for SF Bloodstock, which had purchased Authentic as a colt in partnership with Starlight West for a colts' syndicate for US$350,000 (AU$480,703) at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Henry Field, Managing Director of Newgate and a partner in SF Bloodstock, said Authentic was one of the first crop of colts that SF had purchased for a group put together by Gavin Murphy.

"It’s quite an amazing result and it’s all credit to Gavin and Tom. They built the investor group, they put the team together which includes some top people," he said.

"We worked the sales and under the guidance of Gavin and Tom, we were lucky enough to come home with a Kentucky Derby winner."

Field said the support of both Baffert and agent Donato Lanni was crucial to the decision to purchase Authentic.

"He was a beautiful yearling. He was a horse that the team had a huge amount of time for. Donato Lanni, who is very close with Bob, particularly loved the horse and Gavin and Tom made it clear we weren't going home without him," he said.

"Bob declared the horse a star some 12 months ago before he had his first race and when Bob Baffert says a horse is a good one, you can set your watch by it. There was a slight question mark over the 2000 metres, but he was so tough and so tenacious and he is such a good horse and he was too good for them."

While SF Bloodstock is no longer a shareholder in the colt, it was a success toasted by Field and his team at Newgate.

"SF Bloodstock are our major partners in Newgate, and between Gavin, Tom and myself, we work very closely. At the end of the day, the one that deserves the credit for this victory is Gavin, because he is the quarterback for the whole deal. I can tell you one thing, without Gavin, none of us will be where we are," Field said.

"It was a very special result and I've never had a feeling like seeing that horse win today. That's what it meant to our team. Gavin is the borderline genius. He's the smartest person I have ever met, and to have him as our partner is a hugely valuable asset."

Six Derbys for Baffert

Baffert went from the lows of the sport to the highs in the span of half an hour when he won the G1 Kentucky Derby.

Baffert-trainee Thousand Words (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}) was scratched and his assistant taken to the hospital after the colt spooked during saddling and fell – leaving assistant Jimmy Barnes with a suspected broken arm. But Authentic was quick to give them something to celebrate when repelling Tiz The Law for the win.

Ridden by Velazquez, Authentic broke a step slow in the 2000 metre race from his wide barrier and Velazequez let him get comfortable with the colt’s speed taking him to the front quickly. Playing pacemaker, Authentic easily galloped around the track with his ears pricked and no real pressure down the backstretch as Ny Traffic (USA) (Cross Traffic {USA}) galloped in second behind him.

Racing a few lengths behind Authentic for most of the race, Tiz The Law joined Authentic with 500 metres left to run and the race was on.

The pair was head-and-head at the 400 metre pole with neither willing to give in. Authentic started to inch ahead in the final 200 metres and spoiled Tiz The Law’s dream of a Triple Crown run with a 1.25l victory.

Mr. Big News (USA) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}) put in a huge run as a 46-1 shot to finish third over Honor A.P (USA) (Honor Code {USA}) with Max Player (USA) (Honor Code {USA}) rounding out the top five 7l behind the winner. It was a major milestone for Baffert with the trainer tying for all-time Kentucky Derby victories with the late Ben Jones at six.

Baffert's first thought though was for Barnes, who was sent to the hospital after the incident in the paddock. Baffert himself had a scary moment in the winner’s circle after the race when Authentic spooked and knocked Baffert down but he joked he was more worried about his jacket than himself in the post-race press conference.

“Unbelievable. I’m worried about Jimmy,” Baffert said immediately after the race. “He broke his arm, all I can say is this horse ran out of his mind. Johnny V. – perfect ride. I owe it all to my crew. Jimmy, poor guy is in an ambulance right now, can’t enjoy it.

"This is so emotional the ups and downs in this game. Unbelievable. I have a lot of emotions running through my mind right now with Jimmy not able to be here. We knew that horse (Thousand Words) could be a problem.”

G1 win 200 for Velazquez

The victory was also the 200th Grade 1 win for Velazquez, who was also securing his third Kentucky Derby victory. All three of the jockey’s victories have come in the past 10 years with former Arrowfield Stud resident Animal Kingdom (USA) kicking off the streak in 2011 followed by Always Dreaming (USA) (Bodemeister {USA}) in 2017.

Baffert gave much of the credit for the win to Velazquez with the pair talking over the race the past few days and finishing third in the G1 Kentucky Oaks with fellow Into Mischief runner Gamine (USA) on Friday.

“We’ve been planning this out the last couple of nights at Jeff Ruby’s. We knew we had to get away from there. We talked about where certain people would be.

"Johnny is a world-class jockey and knows where everyone should be. I told him what I thought and he told me what he thought. I said ‘I like your plan.’ I told him what the horse likes and what he can do.

"I’ve been fortunate to have some great jockeys, this race was won by Johnny, just the way he handled the horse and how he finished. He earned this. He beat a really good horse. Tiz The Law is a top-notch horse. I feel bad for the connections. I’ve been there. But, this never gets old. We just feel so fortunate and blessed.”

By last year’s US Champion Sire Into Mischief, Authentic has won five of his six career starts, securing his first Grade 1 win last out in the G1 TVG.com Haskell S. with his only loss being a second to Honor A.P. in the Santa Anita Derby in June.

After initially being owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Frederick Hertrich, John Fielding and Golconda Stables early in his career, the colt gained even more owners when Spendthrift Farm and MyRaceHorse Stable purchased part of him in the spring.

Milestone for Into Mischief

The first Kentucky Derby winner for Into Mischief, the colt’s third dam is Grade 3 winner Really Fancy (USA) (In Reality {USA}), whose branch of her family boasts worldwide success with Grade 1 winners in Dubai and the United States.

The mare is the granddam of Grade 1 winners Reynaldothewizard (USA) (Speightstown {USA}) and Seventh Street (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) and great-granddam of dual Grade 1 winner American Gal (USA) (Concord Point {USA}).

Showing that his speed comes honestly, Authentic’s extended family also includes G1 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Undrafted (USA) (Purim {USA}).

One of the foundation stallions for Spendthrift Farm’s Kentucky branch Into Mischief has had three winners from three runners in Australia. Showing excellent timing, imported mare Sweet Strike (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}) produced an Into Mischief colt at Yarraman Park hours before the Kentucky Derby.

A future in Australia?

As for Authentic's stud future, Cuddy would welcome him to the global operation's Victorian base with open arms and feels he would get significant support from Australian breeders.

"I think American Pharoah and Justify have had great support in the years that they have been coming down here and I could see no reason why we would say no to bringing a horse like Authentic to Australia," he said.

"He's by our stallion, he's won the biggest race on the American calendar and that's what our model is all about. We look forward to having him on the roster should Mr Hughes want to send him down."