Knightsbridge, Sierra Leone on Derby Radar After Debuts

This column highlights the performances of maidens who have made no more than five starts and who either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings that are grade/group winners, or have dams that are grade/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Churchill Downs

In a weekend where the Godolphin powerhouse captured two Breeders' Cup races with Cody's Wish   and Master of The Seas , the operation managed to pull one more feather out of its cap Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. Saturday marked the debut of the ornately-bred Knightsbridge , a half brother to Godolphin's grade 1 winner Speaker's Corner  , and he didn't disappoint those who had averted their eyes momentarily from the action of Santa Anta Park to the gray skies of Louisville, Ky.

It's been a very good day so far for @godolphin and their luck continued as #3 KNIGHTSBRIDGE ($7.04) romped in an extremely impressive debut victory in the 7th at Churchill.

The 2yo by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist was ridden by @James_D_Graham for trainer Bill Mott. pic.twitter.com/vfOa0L8VK4

— TVG (@TVG) November 4, 2023

While his supremely talented older brother couldn't stay the classic distances, Knightsbridge's 10 1/2-length romp under the Twin Spires was the type of performance that Kentucky Derby (G1) dreams are made of.   

Sent to post as the second choice in the field of eight in Saturday's seven-furlong maiden special weight, Knightsbridge was yearning to run as soon as the gates opened. Sharp under jockey James Graham, the colt dragged his rider forward between horses and was forced to check sharply when a hole closed up on him past the half-mile pole. Finding some much-needed space around the turn, Knightsbridge bulled his way to the front and exploded at the top of the lane.

Hitting the wire with daylight separating himself from the rest of the field, the colt stopped the clock in a quick 1:22.96 for the seven furlongs on a fast main track. He was granted a 103 Equibase Speed figure for his effort.

Trained by Bill Mott, Knightsbridge is the fourth foal from the unraced Bernardini mare Tyburn Brook, herself a daughter of 2006 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) heroine Round Pond. Godolphin secured Round Pond for $5.75 million at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Although Round Pond produced grade 1 stakes winner Long River   and stakes winner Lake Lucerne , it can be argued that her daughter Tyburn Brook is her most successful progeny to date as the dam of Speaker's Corner. Also trained by Bill Mott for the Godolphin royal blue, Speaker's Corner rattled off three straight graded stakes wins in the spring of 2022, culminated by a rousing 4 1/2 length triumph in the Carter Handicap (G1). The son of Street Sense   retired late last year with a bankroll of $739,963.

Knightsbridge's sire, 2016 Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist  , has sired a pair of two-turn grade 1 winners this year with Randomized  (Alabama Stakes, G1) and Slow Down Andy  (Awesome Again Stakes, G1).

Aqueduct Racetrack

Another noteworthy Saturday debut performance overshadowed by the drama of the Breeders' Cup was Sierra Leone 's maiden score at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The $2.3 million sale topper at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, Sierra Leone lived up to his lofty price tag with a commanding win against a salty group of 2-year-olds. Bobbling at the break, the Gun Runner   colt settled comfortably off the pace under jockey Manny Franco before advancing with authority in a five-wide move turning for home. Set to a drive, Sierra Leone ran down race leader Change of Command , a $1.05 million son of Into Mischief  , and kicked clear by 1 1/4 lengths under the wire.

Owned by the dynamic partnership of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, and Peter Brant, Sierra Leone completed the mile in 1:36.94 on a fast main track.

Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown, is the second foal out of the grade 1-winning Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love .