Photo courtesy of Hannah Jennings
By Maribeth Kalinich
In all of the drama that surrounded this year’s Kentucky Derby a little miracle occurred on the day.
Born on the clear blue sunny day at 12 Noon at Killora Stud in Paris, Kentucky, a lovely chestnut filly. But not just any filly. Her papa is the one and only Derby and Triple Crown champion American Pharoah.
The flashy foal is out of Awesome Bella, whose name suites her to perfection.
The exquisite dark bay is the daughter champion sire and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Awesome Again (CAN), and Cindazzano, by two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Alleged.
Unraced, Killora purchased the now 14-year-old broodmare Awesome Bella for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton 2022 Kentucky February Mixed Sale in foal to Street Sense.
“She had a Street Sense filly that we will sell in September,” Hannah Jennings of Killora said.
Awesome Bella foaled a colt by City of Light in 2020.
Killora Stud recently told me another mare with their connection is in foal down in Australia—their super successful Away Game.
Away Game, who earned A$3,221,175 on the track, sold for a near record A$4 million at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Sale
The champion mare is in foal to Written Tycoon, Champion Sire in Australia in 2020/21 whose progeny have earnings A$17,035,983.
“(Away Game) was an incredible filly, so tough. Hopefully her babies inherit that trait,” Jennings said
The 6-year-old bay mare won five of her 26 starts with seven seconds all in stakes and four third places.
Her wins include the 2019 Magic Millions 2YO Classic, 2019 Calaway Gal S., 2020 Widden S. (G3), 2020 Percy Sykes S. (G2) and the 2021 W.J. Healy S. (G3).
Sired by Snitzel out of Elusive Quality mare Elusive Wonder (AUS), Away Game was purchased by Killora Stud at the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale for A$425,000.
“Killora Stud is the breeding branch of Mathiesen Racing set up in 2020 and managed by my husband (Aidan Jennings) and myself,” Jennings said.
“We’ve raced Nadal, Mother Mother, Aurelia Garland, Fatale Bere to name a few.
“We have 15 of our own mares and do lay ups, sales prep, pinhooking, etc. It was foal number eight on the farm for us, we ended up having 10 foals—eight fillies and two colts.
“A Derby Day foal by Derby/Triple Crown winner American Pharoah? Must be good luck!!”
To read more and see photos of Away Game click here for TDN Australia article.
You can follow Killora Stud on Twitter. @KilloraStud
