Omaha Beach after ending his career on a high note in the Malibu (G1) (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
By Michaela Moricova
In the previous article, I delved deep into the successes of Take Charge Lady and her sons and daughters. While Will Take Charge and Take Charge Indy are well-known as her offspring not only thanks to their names, I will cover her granddaughters and grandsons in this piece, because I believe that somebody might have already forgotten that Take Charge Lady is the grand-dam of a´the brilliant G1 winner Omaha Beach. So, as we wait patiently for her G1-scoring daughter, As Time Goes By, to deliver foals of her own, let’s look at other horses who have made the mare extraordinaire proud.
Charming having a “Brandi”
Charming was the first filly Take Charge Lady foaled, and even though she didn’t have much chance to show her talent on the track, she showcased her brilliance as a broodmare. The daughter of Seeking the Gold recorded only three races, including a maiden victory, but her time came upon retirement because Charming gave two G1 winners.
In 2012, she gave birth to Take Charge Brandi. The daughter of Giant’s Causeway looked like a smart filly since she commenced her racing career as she won her debut, then finished second at the G2 scene, and concluded the season with a couple of G1 wins. At first, she conquered the G1 Breeders’ Cup Fillies and then won the Starlet Stakes. As a two-year-old, Take Charge Brandi ran eight times for her trainer D. Wayne Lukas and three times delivered quite disappointing efforts; still, she left quite an impression.
In 2015, she didn’t manage to draw on these performances, running three times and winning only a Listed. She didn’t show up on the track for seven months, and after an unsuccessful return, she retired to the stud and has already foaled several foals, including a Listed winner, Courvoisier.
Charming on the “Beach”
Omaha Beach became the last son of Charming, being born in 2016. The son of War Front recorded ten starts in two seasons. As a two-year-old, he stayed among the maiden company in three races as he broke his maiden on his fifth attempt, but then Omaha Beach showcased his talent resolutely in the G2 Rebel Stakes. He earned his first points towards the Kentucky Derby back then, upon which he added more thanks to a brilliant performance in the G1 Arkansas Derby. The handsome bay was scratched from the Kentucky Derby due to health issues but returned with a bang in October.
The hugely talented colt scored the G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, and even though he managed only second in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile 2019, he signed off his career with his third G1 victory in the Malibu Stakes. Currently, he’s residing at stud like one of his half-brothers, Siete C. He wasn’t a champion but gave some fine horses in Venezuela.
Another daughter of Charming is also a broodmare, Take Charge Tressa.
More Taking Charge
Out of six daughters Take Charge Lady foaled, Charming is undoubtedly the most successful one. I’ll Take Charge, born in 2012 and sired by Indian Charlie, has second place as she gave birth to grey Charge It. The son of Tapit didn’t race as a two-year-old and looked green even as a three-year-old in 2022. Todd Pletcher sent him to a couple of maidens, but as Charge It showed off talent and an especially deadly finish, he pointed him toward the G1 Florida Derby. Charge It delivered a great run, taking second place back then, and even though the Kentucky Derby came still came too for him, he scored the G3 Dwyer Stakes later on.
Subsequently, he rested for over half a year to return with a victory in an allowance race. He then proved he still needed to be counted on in Group races as he most notably scored the G2 Suburban Stakes in July 2023. Moreover, he earned some money at the G1 stage, including finishing fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
What’s next?
As I said at the beginning, I’m very curious about As Time Goes By’s offspring. There are also daughters of Charming, daughters and sons of I’ll Take Charge, and it would really surprise me if we didn’t see any other G1 winners making Take Charge Lady proud.
