LEXINGTON, KY – Donegal Racing and Repole Racing’s favored Mo Donegal, purchased at Keeneland’s 2020 September Yearling Sale, took command with a furlong remaining in today’s 154th running of the $1.5 million Belmont (G1) Presented by NYRA Bets at Belmont Park to capture the third leg of the Triple Crown. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the 3-year-old colt by Uncle Mo for trainer Todd Pletcher, who also conditioned runner-up Nest, another graduate of the September Sale who won Keeneland’s Central Bank Ashland (G1) for fillies in April.
Mo Donegal is the 10th Keeneland sales graduate to win the Belmont since 2006, joining Sir Winston (2019), undefeated Triple Crown winner Justify (2018), Creator (2016), Palace Malice (2013), Ruler On Ice (2011), Drosselmeyer (2010), Da’Tara (2008), Rags to Riches (2007) and Jazil (2006).
Jerry Crawford for Donegal Racing paid $250,000 for Mo Donegal, who also won the Wood Memorial (G2) Presented by Resorts World Casino and Remsen (G2), at the September Sale from the consignment of Ashview Farm, agent. Ashview bred Mo Donegal with Colts Neck Stables. (Click here for a video of the colt at the September Sale.)
Nest also was bred by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables and consigned by Ashview, agent, to the 2020 September Sale, where she sold for $350,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Repole Stable. Eclipse and Repole own Nest with Michael House. She was ridden by Irad Ortiz’s brother, Jose Ortiz.
The 2020 September Sale also produced the Belmont’s third-place finisher, Skippylongstocking.
Keeneland sales graduates accounted for other graded stakes victories on Saturday at Belmont: Casa Creed successfully defended his title in winning the Jaipur (G1); Regal Glory took the Just a Game (G1) to record her fourth consecutive graded stakes win and Fearless won the Brooklyn (G2).
Keeneland Press Release
Photo: Mo Donegal, (Chelsea Durand)
