Astern's Fillies on Fire in America

Mark Smith - Sunday October 3

It has been a red-letter day in America for Darley Stud's Astern.

It kicked off with his first U.S. stakes-winner with Sail By, a dominant winner of the Grade II Miss Grillo Stakes for two-year-old fillies over 1 1/16-mile on the turf at Belmont Park.

Advertisement

The two-year-old filly Tom's Beauty added to the score with a one and three-quarter length triumph in a 5-furlong maiden special weight on the turf at Santa Anita.

Another two-year-old filly, She's Like Thunder, could not quite make it a memorable trifecta when playing second fiddle to the More Than Ready (USA) filly Consumer Spending in the Selima Stakes at Laurel Park.  

The Leah Gyarmati-trained Sail By returned to winning ways on the turf following a last-start third in the P. G. Johnston Stakes at Saratoga, which was switched from the turf to the main track.

With Junior Alvarado in the saddle, Sail By tracked the leader Charlee O in the running. The daughter of Astern was a menacing presence before the field turned for home.

Sail By comfortably held the challenge of Kinchen (Lope De Vega) by a length with the favourite McKulick (Frankel) a head back in third.

"She broke very sharply, was laying second beautifully and was relaxing nicely," Alvarado said told Bloodhorse.  

"I knew I was going to have horse turning for home.

"I always thought she wouldn't have a problem stretching out.

"I was hoping she wouldn't get too sharp at the beginning. I knew she would get the distance for sure."

Winning trainer Leah Gyarmati said she would confer with owner-breeder Jeff Treadway regarding a start in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on November 5.

"Any time you're even thinking about having that kind of opportunity is wonderful," Gyarmati said.

"I'll have to talk to Jeff, but I'm sure he is game and wants to go. That's a conversation we'll have to have."

Sail By advanced her record to two wins, a second and a third from four starts with earnings of US$193,800.

Sail By is the first foal of Fly By, a winning daughter of the former New Zealand shuttler Johar (USA), and is the first stakes-winner for the family in four generations.

Sail By is the third stakes-winner for Astern, following Group III Scarborough Stakes winner Seradess and Listed Castletown Stakes winner Danger Strikes.

The Group 1 winning son of Medaglia d'Oro (USA) stands for a fee of $16,500 at Darley Stud NSW this spring.

Astern

Advertisment
More Reading...
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 2
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New SW Wrote - Fast Network Wins G3 National Day Cup
Trainer Dennis Yip claimed a timely first win of the 2025/26 season, taking out the feature HK$4.2 million Gr.3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin’s National Day fixture on Wednesday when his stable star Fast Network, a New Zealand bred son of Wrote, blitzed a strong field under Alexis Badel.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
Inglis Ready2Race breeze up footage NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Progeny of the likes of Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk were amongst the standout performers from breeze up sessions conducted this week in the lead up to the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on October 16, footage of which is now available online.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.