LAST year Golden Pal, a son of Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), won the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, a race claimed this time around by the Irish-bred Twilight Gleaming. For this year’s Breeders’ Cup championship, the colt stepped up a level to win the Grade 1 Turf Sprint.

Runner-up last year for Wesley Ward in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, the colt is now winner of five of his eight starts, all stakes races and four of them graded stakes, and been second twice. He races in the colours of Sue Magnier, who owns him with Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerburg.

Exceptional

Golden Pal is the first foal and runner for his dam Lady Shipman, a daughter of Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song). She won 13 of her 20 starts, gaining her best win in a Grade 3 race at Woodbine in Canada, and she was beaten only a neck in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint six years ago. While there are a number of stakes winners on the page, it is obvious that Golden Pal is exceptional, with his trainer claiming he’s the best he has trained.

Golden Pal is the 10th Group/Grade 1 winner for his Ashford Stud sire Uncle Mo, whose fee drops marginally to $160,000 next year, and that list of winners includes stars such as champion and Kentucky Derby hero Nyquist. It is no surprise to learn that Lady Shipman is in foal again to Uncle Mo.