NEXT year will be a very important one in the continuing story of the US wonder horse American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) when his first runners hit the track. He had 161 foals in the first crop and they have sold for prices up to $2.2 million.

However, looks and pedigree are one thing, and the real test is when they start running. Given that American Pharoah won two of his three starts as a juvenile, the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and the Grade 1 Frontrunner Stakes at Santa Anita, resulting in his being named champion two-year-old colt, the odds are that he will also get high-class juveniles.