Auctions

Mar 12 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. March Sale of 2YOs in Training 2024 HIPS
Mar 14 Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival March Sale 2024 HIPS
Mar 27 Tattersalls March Sale 2024 HIPS
Apr 3 Texas Thoroughbred Association 2YOs in Training Sale 2024 HIPS
Apr 16 Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Spring Sale of 2YOs in Training 2024 HIPS
View All Auctions

Gregorian Chant Scores in United States for Gregorian

Gelding won the Clocker's Corner Stakes Jan. 24 at Santa Anita Park.

Gregorian Chant wins the Clocker's Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Gregorian Chant wins the Clocker's Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park

Benoit Photo

Rathasker Stud's Gregorian sealed a first American stakes winner late Jan. 24 when the similarly-named Gregorian Chant made a rapid move from last to first in the Clocker's Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

A British-bred 5-year-old produced by Clarendon Farm, he is from the first crop of the group 2-winning stallion, who began service at the National Stud before moving across the Irish Sea.

Gregorian Chant becomes the fifth of his sire's sons to strike in black-type class, following last year's exciting French juvenile Plainchant and William Hill Summer Fillies Stakes (G3) winner Queen Jo Jo, as well as two other listed winners in Italy and Turkey.

Phil D'Amato's charge is one of only two Gregorians registered to have raced in the United States, both of which have won races. Gregorian Chant's two previous successes had been in allowance optional claiming events, while he had also broken his duck on one start over seven furlongs at Dundalk for John Murphy.

Murphy had bought the half brother to several minor Italian scorers for €23,000 (US$27,495) at the 2017 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale from Moanmore Stables, which had pinhooked him for 7,000 guineas ($9,130) as a foal from Tattersalls.

It was quite a drop down in distance to six furlongs for the winner, who was last seen competing over 1 1/2 miles in the Hollywood Turf Cup Stakes (G2T) as he readily completed a 1-2 for the trainer over Strike Me Down (by Tapit ).

"I've got to give Nick Cosato (of owners Slam Dunk Racing) a lot of credit," said D'Amato. "He thought of this after his last race. Just remembering what a big turn of foot he had from when we bought him, we thought it was worth a try."