Treaty of Rome Drives Hard Bargain in Big A Maiden Win

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 graded/group winners, or have dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners, in particular, who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners.

Aqueduct Racetrack

Although Treaty of Rome 's maiden win wasn't nearly as glamorous as his graded stakes-winning full sibling's debut score five years ago, the bullish Uncle Mo   colt nonetheless prevailed in an admirable effort for his connections Dec. 7 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

It was Treaty of Rome's second race for trainer Chad Brown after finishing a respectable third in his six-furlong debut Oct. 26. Stretched out to a mile, Treaty of Rome was sharper leaving the gate this time, sitting only a length off the leader through the first half-mile. Nudged along into the top of the far turn, the colt grabbed the advantage and surged to a comfortable lead down the lane. After a late challenge from Radauti, Treaty of Rome beat him by a half-length in a time of 1:37.33.

Treaty of Rome's victory was one of three on the day for Flavien Prat, who broke the record for stakes wins in a single year later Saturday aboard Poster  in the Remsen Stakes (G2).

Owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor of the Coolmore partnership, Treaty of Rome is out of the Montjeu mare Coin Breaker. A daughter of 1999 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) victress Cash Run, Coin Breaker's most successful progeny to date is Donna Veloce.

Purchased for $800,000 as a 2-year-old, Donna Veloce didn't disappoint, placing in both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Starlet Stakes (G1). Brought back at 3, Donna Veloce delivered an eye-popping, 4 1/2-length triumph in Santa Anita Park's Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) before finishing unplaced in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1). Exiting the race with an injury, Donna Veloce was retired and eventually sold to Coolmore's M.V. Magnier for $1.9 million at Fasig-Tipton's November Sale in 2022.