A big thrill for the ever-burgeoning fan base of Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (IRE), whose son Tribhuvan (FR) went wire to wire in the Group I United Nations Stakes on the turf at Monmouth to become his sire's second winner at the highest level.
After taking 12 starts to break his maiden in France, Tribhuvan (FR) has been a revelation since switching to Hall Of fame trainer Chad Brown in the States.
This year the 5yo gelding won the Grade II Fort Marcy Stakes and was second behind his stablemate Domestic Spending in the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes.
Winning rider Flavien Prat admitted that he took up the running by default before coming clear to defeat Imperador (ARG) (Treasure Beach) by two lengths, with Epic Bromance (Kitten's Joy) a further length back in third.
"I kind of sent him out there because I didn't (want to) be too wide, so I ended up on the lead," Prat told The Blood-Horse.
"My only concern from that point was getting him back into a nice rhythm and without losing too much energy, so that's what I did. It worked out well. I had a lot of horse under me, and he was really travelling well."
A $30,000 Arqana December weanling, Tribhuvan (FR) was passed in at the 2017 Arqana October Yearling Sale.
His overall record stands at five wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 19 starts with earnings of over $US660,000.
The son of Toronado (IRE) is the best of five winners from seven to race out of the Next Desert mare Mahandra (GER), a half-sister to the Group III Prix deBarbeville winner Montclair (Montjeu) and Group II Prix de Pomone winner and Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak runner-up Macleya (Winged Love).
The first Group 1 winner for Toronado (IRE) came closer to home when Masked crusader captured the MVRC William Reid Stakes.
The Hollywood handsome son of High Chaparral (IRE) returns to Swettenham Stud this spring sporting a fee of $49,500, reflecting his growing popularity in the southern hemisphere.
