Tribhuvan lands Fort Marcy Stakes
Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (High Chaparral) sired his 13th stakes winner courtesy of Illykato’s victory in the win in the Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m) at Goodwood on Saturday and the stallion’s brilliant day continued as he was handed his 14th black-type winner when the Chad Brown-trained Tribhuvan (4 c ex Mahendra by Next Desert) returned from a long break, producing a brilliant performance to win the Fort Marcy Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) at Belmont Park.
The four-year-old colt finished strongly to beat City Man (Mucho Macho Man) by a length and a half, while Rockemperor (Holy Roman Emperor) was another two lengths away in third.
Tribhuvan began his career in France with trainer Henri-Alex Pantall for whom he won two races.
He finished third on his first US start at Gulfstream in March 2020, while he was forced to pull up in last year’s edition of the Group 2 when his rein broke and he opened his account at Belmont on July 4.
"I was a little surprised by that," jockey Eric Cancel said. "I know he had a little bit of speed, but I didn't think he'd be that far in front. But it worked out to my advantage. I knew he was going to be fighting to the end."
Tribhuvan was purchased as a foal for €30,000 at the 2016 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale and he is one of five foals out of unraced Next Desert (Desert Style) mare Mahendra, who is herself a daughter of Listed winner Minaccia (Platini), making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Montclair (Montjeu) and Group 2 scorer Macleya (Winged Love), who in turn produced Listed winner Saltonstall (Pivotal).
Minaccia is also the grandam of Listed-winning pair Mer Et Nuages (Lope De Vega) and Mare Australis (Australia).
The son of High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells) has sired seven stakes winners in Australia this season, headlined by Masked Crusader, who handed him a first Group 1 winner when he landed the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) in March. Toronado will stand at Swettenham Stud for an increased fee of $49,500 (inc GST) in 2021, having stood last season for $27,500 (inc GST).
