Breeder Hernon Believed in Monomoy Girl From Start

Like a proud parent telling stories of a son's winning touchdown or a daughter's buzzer-beating basket, Monomoy Girl's co-breeder, Michael Hernon, enjoys providing detailed accounts of her four consecutive grade 1 wins this season.

Hernon recalls the ease of her 5 1/2-length romp in the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland and the determination of her Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) victory at Churchill Downs, where she overcame an outside post and dug in to put away a challenge from Wonder Gadot. 

Hernon remembers each race like it was yesterday.

"She got headed by Wonder Gadot, but she wasn't having any of that and came right back up the rail and won by a half-length," he said.

Then there was the Acorn Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, where she carried eight more pounds than runner-up Talk Veuve to Me.

"She was giving away weight that day—eight pounds to the runner-up … and she won going away." 

And at Saratoga Race Course, where she overwhelmed 3-year-olds in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) for a three-length score.

"She came up to Saratoga and dominated on the front end in the CCA Oaks, her fourth consecutive grade 1."

Hernon enjoys sharing these stories of memorable races, but in the case of Monomoy Girl—again, like the proud parent—he finds a picture says it all. There's the photo of her walking tall on the Keeneland track ahead of the Ashland, followed by a short video from late March at the Lexington track. Flash forward to the fall and there she is galloping before sunrise on a muddy track at Churchill, the lights accentuating every muscle.

"I've sent a few, a few you know," Hernon said of the photos going out to friends. "She's kind of headline news. She's a terrific filly, a revelation; she just continues to improve."

On a weekend that will draw thousands to watch the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the name and structure of the event continues to celebrate the many people who supply the sport with outstanding horses. Like Hernon's Highfield Ranch and his co-breeders Brendan and Olive Gallagher's Frankfort Park Farm, each has stories to tell, from before birth to racing success.

Monomoy Girl's next step will be the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) Nov. 3 at Churchill, where she's the 2-1 morning-line favorite in her first start against older fillies and mares. Hernon will be there to see it, just as he's been there from the start.

On a March night in 2015, Hernon was on hand at Frankfort Park Farm in Lexington as broodmare Drumette, by Henny Hughes, delivered a healthy chestnut filly about an hour before midnight.

"She was up in 20 minutes, and there was a lot to her," Hernon said. "She was strong, she had natural muscle. She was an impressive foal."

In a game of hope, that night provided another helping—more reason to look forward to her sale as a yearling.

That memorable night at the farm followed an initial spark about four months earlier when the breeders purchased Drumette for $75,000 at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale from Dr. Kendall Hansen through Pope McLean's consignment.

At the sale, Brendan Gallagher recalls spotting Drumette. He said he asked Hernon to give her a look as well. The Gallaghers and Hernon had partnered on a number of horses over the years—their families had known each other going back to their native Ireland.

"We'd had some good luck together," Gallagher said, not fully knowing then the good fortune that awaited.

Hernon said it didn't take long to see why Gallagher was interested.

"She certainly was appealing; we liked the mare overall," Hernon said. "We liked the pedigree, liked that she was in foal to Tapizar , and physically we liked the mare a lot."

Hansen had made the call to send Drumette to Tapizar before offering the mare in foal at the sale. Tapizar added to the attraction for Hernon, who thought the young son of multiple leading sire Tapit  had potential. He had firsthand knowledge, as both stallions stand at Gainesway.

Monomoy Girl continued to impress physically and mentally. At the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, she was consigned by Gainesway and purchased for $100,000 by BSW Bloodstock agent Liz Crow for Michael Dubb and Sol Kumin's Monomoy Stables. Those two owners later added The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables to the mix.

"She was a very nice yearling and always very kind," Hernon said. "I remember Liz Crow making a remark about how there was a lot of flurry and activity around the barn and she was mellow and cool and calm; not upset by it at all. Having a great temperament in a racehorse is a huge asset."

Monomoy Girl started her training with Brad Cox, and Hernon initially followed from afar. He watched her overcome a slow start to win the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) in her 3-year-old debut this year at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and he had the opportunity to reconnect when Cox shipped her to Keeneland to prepare for the Ashland and then to Churchill to prep for the Oaks.

Hernon hit it off with Cox and was impressed with the trainer. He was welcomed by the owners as well, providing a terrific Oaks day experience that also included the Gallaghers.

"That was a huge thrill to be there, walk over with her, be in the paddock, and afterwards to be out in the infield," Hernon said. "Everyone was there. It was a great day."

Hernon followed Monomoy Girl to New York for those grade 1 races and was pleased to see her calm personality still in place.

"That morning of the Acorn Stakes, they packed her feet and wrapped them. She laid down immediately and slept for an hour stretched out. It was message received," Hernon said. "She knew today was the day—I'm going to have to run this afternoon, and now I'm going to go to sleep. She's a clever, intelligent horse."

Monomoy Girl is the second grade 1 winner bred by Hernon, who teamed with Bill Andrade for his breakthrough with Zazu. For Hernon, Zazu was the oldest daughter who moved to the West Coast with trainer John Sadler, but Monomoy Girl is the youngest, who opted to stay close to home.

"Zazu was special, but I'm closer with this filly because Zazu trained on the West Coast. I spent a fair amount of time in the spring at Brad's barn watching this filly train and develop. Then the Oaks, the Acorn, the CCA Oaks," Hernon said. "Just being with her and the staff, just being around them—they're very welcoming."

And Monomoy Girl's success has shown Tapizar's ability to throw a top horse.

"Having the stallion at Gainesway is terrific," Hernon said. "She's a real boost to him. And, of course, Tapit himself … a huge success for Gainesway, Ron Winchell, and the shareholders who got in on him."

Now the Distaff approaches, which Hernon acknowledges will be the stiffest test yet. For Hernon and the Gallaghers, this weekend should see their Drumette story come full circle. They've entered the mare in Fasig-Tipton's The November Sale in Lexington, Ky., Nov. 4, where she'll be offered in the Gainesway consignment as Hip 153 in foal to grade 1 winner and first-year sire Mastery . 

On Saturday, Hernon will spend his morning at the Gainesway barn at Fasig-Tipton before heading to Churchill for Monomoy Girl's big test.

"My car makes that drive on I-64 West on autopilot," Hernon noted, pausing to take a phone call about a horse.