Tenebrism Gives Caravaggio First Winner at Naas
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Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Tenebrism wins a maiden race at Naas Racecourse
Coolmore's exciting first-season sire Caravaggio was provided with his first winner when Tenebrism ran out an impressive scorer of the opening five-furlong maiden at Naas March 28.
Caravaggio, a son of the late Scat Daddy, had stood his first three seasons at Coolmore's Irish base before transferring to Ashford Stud in Kentucky last winter. He stands for $25,000.
An unbeaten 2-year-old, which included victories in the Keeneland Phoenix (G1) and Coventry (G2) stakes, the gray had returned at 3 to defeat Harry Angel and Blue Point in the Commonwealth Cup (G1) at Ascot before adding the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (G2) to his record later on in the season.
Out of the Holy Bull mare Mekko Hokte—and a half brother to grade 2 winner My Jen —Caravaggio was always fancied to get off to a quick start with his first juvenile crop, having debuted in the April of his juvenile year himself.
His first runner, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Silver Surfer, finished a respectable fourth at the Curragh March 21.
Caravaggio at Coolmore Stud
Caravaggio is the 5-2 favorite with Sky Bet to be crowned leading first-season sire by number of individual winners in Britain and Ireland up until Dec. 31.
Tenebrism is bred to be a quality performer, being the fourth foal out of Immortal Verse , a daughter of the mighty Pivotal who struck in the Coronation Stakes and defeated the brilliant Goldikova in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard-Jacques le Marois (G1).
Immortal Verse, who hails from a family that includes Last Tycoon and Astronef, made a staggering 4.7 million guineas (US$8,071,193) when selling from Mount Coote Stud to BBA Ireland at the 2013 Tattersalls December Mare Sale. The 13-year-old has produced three winners to date.
An excellent day for Ballydoyle concluded when Empress Josephine, a full sister to dual classic heroine and seven-time group 1 victress Minding , struck in the mile fillies maiden.
The 3-year-old, who was partnered by Seamie Heffernan, was initially caught for a little racing room but went on to score by 1 1/4 lengths.