EPISODE 2 - ‘AN AMERICAN DREAM: THE RETURN TO ROYAL ASCOT'
Great British Racing International and Ascot Racecourse have today released the second episode of An American Dream: The Return to Royal Ascot, a series following US syndicate manager Harlan Malter’s ambitious quest to return to Royal Ascot with a horse sired by his 2018 Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes runner-turned-stallion, BUCCHERO.
This latest episode follows Malter and Florida-based trainer Joe Orseno as they attempt to win the inaugural Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes, held last Saturday, 13th May, with MATTINGLY, a two-year-old son of Bucchero who was acquired at the OBS March Sale for $70,000.
The Gulfstream Park contest was the first Royal Ascot automatic qualifier to be staged in America, with horses competing for a guaranteed entry into one of Royal Ascot’s six two-year-old races, in addition to a $25,000 equine travel stipend, thanks to a new initiative between Ascot Racecourse and 1/ST RACING. A fillies’ equivalent followed later on the card.
Though ultimately failing to take first place, Mattingly produced a run that delighted connections, finishing 2nd to Bregman Family Racing LLC’s colt NO NAY METS.
Reacting immediately after the race in the video, Malter reflects:
“The result was really anything a horse owner can ask for. The horse broke well, stalked a very, very nice horse who I think was extremely well intended.
He continues: “I thought Mattingly showed that kind of Bucchero spirit. I got a lot of messages on Twitter from people who are super excited, and I’ve already gotten a couple of questions that we may still go [to Ascot] in second place, we’ll see. But we’re really proud of how he ran today.”
A final decision as to whether co-owners Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC and Harlow Stables LLC will enter Mattingly at Royal Ascot regardless of not winning the valuable travel stipend is yet to be made.
All episodes released thus far in An American Dream: The Return to Royal Ascot can be found on GBRI’s YouTube channel.