American Pharoah's Sisterhood Strolls Home at Pakenham

Mark Smith - Thursday March 9

There might be a good race in the not-too-distant future for the American Pharoah (USA) filly Sisterhood after she treated her rivals with contempt in a 3yo fillies maiden over 1200m at Pakenham on Thursday.

Sisterhood shows then a clean pair of heels (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Punters were on the money, sending out Sisterhood an odd-on favourite following her fast-finishing second on debut over a 1000m on the same track.

Ridden by Teo Nugent for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Sisterhood travelled sweetly outside the leader Frosted Romance.

Advertisement

The Dorrington Farm homebred was strong to the line in defeating the Deep Field filly Alletante by two and a half lengths, with the Hellbent debutant Hell Follows a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Sisterhood's owner/breeder Rob Crabtree said the filly's breeding suggests she will only improve when the distances stretch out.

"She is an American Pharoah out of a Makfi mare who is out of a Monsun mare," Crabtree revealed.

Teo Nugent agreed the filly had a bright future.

"She got a long way back at her first start; she was a little new and raw. But the way she found the line, the sectionals suggested she could come here and be hard to beat, and so she was," Nugent said.

"She began well, and I played my cards early. A couple of non-fancied runners were going to slot in front, and I wanted to hold my spot outside the leader.

Sisterhood is a powerhouse (image Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

"I could have put her anywhere in the race, and it is a shame she had nothing to go with her,

"We hit the front a long way out. She was dominant, but I don't doubt she could have doubled or tripled the margin.

"She has a motor; when I pressed the button, she extended nicely.

"She will get over more ground and showed great progression from her first to the second start.

"We have a nice horse on our hands. When I galloped her, she felt like an open-class sprinter."

Sisterhood is the second foal of the Makfi (GB) mare Not Only Florina (IRE), who won three consecutive races at three in France, culminating in a Listed race over 10f at Toulouse.

She made two starts in Australia for David Hayes when carrying Rob Crabtree's red and white checks and trailed the field home both times.  

World Wide Bloodstock / Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott shelled out $160,000 for a So You Think half-sister to Sisterhood consigned by Blue Gum Farm at the recent Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

From the family of the Hong King fan favourite Pakistan Star, Not Only Florina (IRE) foaled a King's Legacy last spring and visited St Mark's Basilica (FR).

Advertisment

Race Result - John Duff & Co Mdn Plate 1200m

Pakenham Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:11.98
1
Sisterhood
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x Not Only Florina (IRE) (Makfi (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Teodore Nugent 57
2
2.5
Alletante
- 3f Deep Field (AUS) x Invitante (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: C I Brown Rdr: Ben Allen 57
3
4.3
Hell Follows
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Come Follow Me (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: S P Nichols Rdr: C Newitt 57
4
4.4
Piera Maria
- 3f Smart Missile (AUS) x Our Gift To You (NZ) (Don Eduardo (NZ))
Tnr: Shane Stockdale Rdr: Thomas Stockdale 57
5
4.8
Poiema
- 3f Territories (IRE) x Isabeau (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: B Mc Dougall 57
6
4.9
Frosted Romance
- 3f Frosted (USA) x Parisian Romance (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Trotter Rdr: Jack Hill 57
7
5.0
Blue Chip Girl
- 3f American Pharoah (USA) x She's A Fox (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: M M Laurie Rdr: D Moor 57
8
6.8
Showno
- 3f Star Witness (AUS) x Mercy May (AUS) (Testa Rossa (AUS))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: L Nolen 57
9
12.8
Tottenham Hotspur
- 3f Holler (AUS) x White Hart Lane (AUS) (Flying Spur (AUS))
Tnr: Shawn Mathrick Rdr: Zac Spain 57
10
16.8
Amerdonnas
- 3f Americain (USA) x Donna Bella (AUS) (Domesday (AUS))
Tnr: M Croston & G Gilmour Rdr: B Higgins 57
More Reading...
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.
Yes Yes Yes It’s Been a Big Week for Kate Nivison!
This time last week passionate owner breeder Kate Nivison was basking in the success of having bred and sold a $1.7million Extreme Choice colt at Inglis Easter and today she was enjoying a different sort of success as a winning owner at Kembla.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Who Do You Pick? Star Mares of Tomorrow
In chatting with our guest Jim Clarke this week on our Tara Talks Racing podcast we discussed a topic that will no doubt spark plenty of interest from our audience, if you could have one three year-old filly to take forward and race next season at four, who would it be?
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.