Lucky Break Sets Up Croughavouke in Breeders' Cup

Tim Cohen learned his family's Croughavouke would get into the oversubscribed Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) while en route to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale in England by way of Morocco. 

Initially, Croughavouke was second on the list of the 2-year-old fillies who did not make it into the field of the Nov. 1 test. But Alms spiked a fever, and Precious Moments, the first alternate, remained in Europe. That put Croughavouke into the field, and Cohen plans to fly home from the sale in time to be at Santa Anita Park for the one-mile race.

"Usually I get in Thursday afternoon before the Breeders' Cup," Cohen said via FaceTime from Morocco, where he was enjoying a few days of vacation with his wife, Shannon. "So I miss the last day of Tattersalls. But I've seen the horses by then."

Cohen's family races in the name of Red Baron's Barn and Rancho Temescal, started by his father, Jed. They own the California farm Rancho Temescal near Piru, a small town about 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

The stable has done well, acquiring European horses in training—both at sales and privately—for the Southern California racing circuit. French-bred Itsinthepost competed in the 2017 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), has earned more than $1 million, and has won seven graded U.S. stakes, six of them at Santa Anita. Irish-bred River Boyne has won three graded stakes in Southern California, and Irish-bred Zaffinah is multiple graded stakes-placed at Santa Anita this year.

Tim Cohen doesn't buy European prospects specifically for the Breeders' Cup.

"We try and figure out what will move up on firm ground," he said. "We bought Croughavouke just as a good prospect for Southern California. I wouldn't have imagined she would have been a Breeders' Cup-quality kind of filly when we bought her. But she has certainly outperformed what I thought she would do."

Bloodstock agent Niall Dalton brought Croughavouke to Cohen's attention. She is by the Irish sire Dandy Man, the sire of River Boyne and a grandson of Danehill. Joe Fogarty bred Croughavouke in Ireland from the unraced Frozen Power mare Coin Case. Croughavouke is the mare's first foal.

"She looked good on analysis, and we reacted as quickly as we possibly could," Cohen said. "It's a good thing we did because shortly thereafter, I think there were a few more people wanting to buy her. But that's kind of the European market right now—you really do have to make a quick decision."

Croughavouke started twice in Ireland, winning her second start after running third in her debut. Cohen bought her in August, and about three weeks later—after moving to the barn of Jeff Mullins—she finished second in the Sept. 2 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes.

"With River Boyne, we know the Dandy Mans like firm ground," Cohen said. "The Del Mar race was good. She had just arrived probably a week prior. You just never know how they will react when they fly over. She looked good and she kept good flesh, and so we ran her."

Mullins had some time to work with Croughavouke before the Oct. 6 Surfer Girl Stakes at Santa Anita. With Drayden Van Dyke aboard, she finished second to Warren's Showtime, closing from last early and losing by only three-quarters of a length after being carried four wide.

"I know Drayden was really upset—he thought he'd win the race rather easily," Cohen said. "She really did get stopped on the turn for home. It was an impressive race, and that race is why we thought we could go on to the Breeders' Cup with her.

"She's got a great attitude. She's a really tough filly—she wants to get out there and run and compete."

Cohen was pleased Croughavouke drew into the race before entries. Had she gotten in as an also-eligible, she would have automatically been placed in the outside post.

"Clearly, there are some very nice fillies in there, but I think she's one of them," Cohen said. "With 14 to go, you need the trip and you need some luck."

Track announcers also need some luck in pronouncing Croughavouke's name. Cohen texted a brief Irish racing clip, where the announcer seemed to pronounce it "CROCK-a-voke."

Cohen acknowledged he hadn't bought a horse with an easy name. From Morocco came a short laugh, along with this advice: "You've got to say it like you're Irish."