Second US Stakes-Winner for Animal Kingdom

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday August 8
Two year-old colt Continental Divide scored a stylish win in the $US100,000 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday to give Animal Kingdom (USA) his second stakes-winner from 11 first-crop US runners.

At only his second start, Continental Divide jumped smartly and settled to race mid-field until the home turn he swept past his rivals for an easy win, almost a length ahead of Smokem, who had beaten him on his 21 July debut.

Animal KingdomThe colt's performance, running the 5.5 furlongs (~1100 metres) in 1:05.27, impressed his trainer Jim Cassidy. 

"He wants to go farther. For him to go five-and-a-half, you try him out of his element and he still wins," he said.

Owned by former technology executive Deron Pearson, Continental Divide was bought from the Barretts May Sale of 2YOs in training at Del Mar for $US245,000, the top price at the Sale.

He is the third winner from stakes-placed mare Bandora, from the family of Group 1 winner Love Theway Youare.

Animal Kingdom has done well with his first crop of Australian two year-olds with six winners last season including Group III placed Lord Cecil, Flemington winner Royal Phoenix and highly promising Earth Angel, the daughter of champion filly Miss Finland.

Winner of both the Kentucky Derby and Dubai World Cup, Animal Kingdom stands at Arrowfield this spring at a fee of $27,500.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Hellbent Winner Impresses at Sha Tin
Astute trainer Mark Newnham paid $425,000 at the 2023 NZB Ready to Run Sale to secure a promising two year-old by Hellbent and Invincible Ibis delivered on that promise when scoring a last to first win at Sha Tin on Wednesday.
Animal Kingdom's Wild Planet Earns First Stakes Win
Runner-up in Listed races at Moonee Valley and Flemington, Wild Planet broke his maiden at his most recent start at Ballarat then went back to back when overcoming a wide run in Saturday’s Listed Antler Luggage Stakes (Poseidon Stakes) (1400m) at Flemington.
Animal Kingdom's Mystery Miss Captures Belmont Guineas
On the track, Mystical Miss wiped off just under $50,000 of the $425,000 she had cost Bob Peters at the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale but she has made a quick start in the broodmare barn with her first foal Mystery Miss winning her second stakes in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Guineas.
Aussie Angel Wins Derby
There was an army of Kiwi raiders lining up in the $2million Group I ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday but the victory went to the Aussie's with Kembla Grange trainer Gwenda Markwell taking the prize with her Animal Kingdom (USA) gelding Angel of Truth.
Animal Kingdom Gelding Too Strong in Tulloch Stakes
The winner of three races on his home track at Kembla Grange, the Glenda Markwell-trained Angel Of Truth made a winning trip to the big smoke on Saturday when leading all the way in the Group II Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill and in the process earned his chance in next weeks Group 1 ATC Australian Derby.
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.
Milan Park Experience Highs and Lows
Tony Rider experienced the extreme highs and lows of breeding thoroughbreds within a matter of hours on Wednesday.
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.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
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.