Horses That Left our Stable in 2024

Adaay in Asia - claimed

Our talented import never faired well on our eastern tracks (Keeneland, Aqueduct, etc.) and was later sent West, where she didn't improve at Santa Anita or Del Mar. She was claimed out of a race, but has since been sent to Tampa Bay Downs where she has scored a 1st and a close 2nd in consecutive races in 2024.

English Jubilee - claimed

Our daughter of English Channel out of a Kitten's Joy mare never seemed to be able to put a solid race together until she won a claiming race at Woodbine on Halloween night and was claimed. She had eight starts with one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd and $34,000+ in earnings. In her only stakes entry, the Cup and Saucer at Woodbine, she ran 4th. She has not worked or run back since being claimed, but may have been sent south for the winter, as she was by us the previous year.

Guinevere - sold at Keeneland November / race or broodmare 

Our stunning daughter of Justify only had 5 starts, but won both of her starts on the dirt, and came in 3rd on the tapeta at Turfway Park in her debut. Purchased as a possibly top turf contender, she finished her only two races on turf dead last. She was put through the Keeneland November sale as a racing or broodmare prospect in early November and brought $90,000, purchased by one of the participating partners. She has since been entered into a race at Mahoning Valley, possibly pending her broodmare career in the spring. 

Lady Blitz - retired / sport horse or broodmare project

After showing a ton of talent and ramping up the hopes of many of her owners early on, and finishing 3rd in her debut at Saratoga with Irad Ortiz in the irons, Lady Blitz could never seem to put together a career. She was sent back to Wavertree Farm to retrain in early 2024, and during the process a flap issue was found in her throat. After two unsuccessful surgeries she was retired and sent back to her consignor as a broodmare or sport horse project. 

Lane Way - retired / at Old Friends in Kentucky

After a wonderful career where our son of Into Mischief frequently won or placed in graded stakes, set a new track record on the downhill turf course at Santa Anita, and finished 2023 as 1st alternate to the Breeders Cup Sprint, a decision was made to retire him at age 7. He was sent to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Kentucky in late Fall, where he can now rub elbows with other famous retired horses such as Silver Charm, Big Brown and Cozmic One.  

Legitify - claimed, has raced

Our chestnut son of Justify was claimed on May 24th. Legitify continued his career in shorter sprint races at Los Alamitos and got a win by 2-2/3 lengths at Santa Anita on October 5, 2024 going one mile on dirt. He ran back on 11/22 in a 1 mile claiming race at Del Mar, ran 7th and was subsequently claimed again. He has not run back since the end of November. 

Magical Ways - claimed and has been racing

Our son of Maclean's Music, Magical Ways, continued his career after being claimed in 2023 at Aqueduct, and has registered some wins and strong performances increasing his current bankroll to $262,000+ with 5 wins, 3 2nds and 4 3rds from 24 lifetime starts. His last two Equibase speed figures at Aqueduct were 104 for 3rd and 108 for 2nd!

Mo Temptation - retired / broodmare in California 

Our promising daughter of Mo Town was retired from racing on May 19th with only one race under her belt. Frequent setbacks led to the decision to retire her from racing in her best interest. She'll be a broodmare in California, with a date with a talented California stallion, Brickyard. 

Pioneer Prince - claimed, has raced

Our gelded son of Pioneerof the Nile was claimed in August by top trainer, Doug O'Neill. He ran back on August 17th with a win, and on September 1, where he finished 7th. 

Straight to Glory - retired / hunter/jumper in Texas

Our son of top UK freshman sire Cotai Glory struggled with a series of setbacks including bulking up which led to the decision to geld him in an attempt to reduce stress due to weight on his joints but he never made it to a debut. As part of the Royal Duet with Guinevere, they were simultaneously retired on October 29th. Straight to Glory has found a home with a young equestrian in Texas who will train him as a hunter/jumper.  

Mo Temptation has Found a New Home as a Broodmare

Mo Temptation has remained at Sunshine Farm as we have been finalizing her next steps. Through various conversations with different possible takers, MRH has found a great home for her with Alfred Pais, owner of Brickyard Ride, who will be standing stud in 2025 at Rancho San Miguel. Brickyard Ride is a winner of over $900K and thirteen races.

Although this breeding season is over, Alfred is willing to carry her costs until next season, a win-win for all involved. The owners will not have to incur additional carry costs, Mr. Pais gets to secure a nice broodmare prospect for next year and Mo Temptation gets to enjoy the year at Rancho San Miguel before she moves onto her second career. Since he is willing to carry all costs, we agreed to complete the sale for $1.00, since the costs would likely exceed what we could expect her to bring at an auction some time later in the year.

This filly always flashed some talent, but unfortunately she was unable to prove what she was capable of on the racetrack -- maybe that talent will be realized one day via her offspring. 

We will be sure to get an update once Mo Temptation has settled in to her new home.

Mo Temptation at Sunshine Farm taken by MRH
On her way to Alfred Pais who stands Brickyard Ride

Rancho San Miguel, CA - Future home of Mo Temptation.

Report to followers on our Facebook page:

We are super excited to announce that Mo Temptation has found a new home! She currently remains as Sunshine Farm (see photo) but will head to her new career as a broodmare at Rancho San Miguel, CA (pictured), to be bred to multiple stakes winner/placer, Brickyard Ride (grandson of Candy Ride) in 2025. 

Brickyard Ride campaigned from age 2 to 7, winning or placing in multiple graded stakes at Santa Anita and Del Mar, earning over $925,000 while running E-speed figures of 114, 113 (3x), 112 and running triple digits 17 times! He ran in the G3 Kona Gold Stakes three times, winning twice and coming in 2nd on his first try, as well as competing in multiple other stakes. The partnership group will continue to follow Mo T and report back as she begins this new phase of her life. 

Brickyard Ride's latest Kona Gold Win

Mo Temptation to be Retired

Unfortunately, after follow-up diagnostics were performed on Mo Temptation, it was discovered she has an issue with her knee. 

This is of course disappointing news as she was race-ready again from a fitness standpoint, but at this point in her career with an issue like this, a decision has been made in the best interest of the horse to retire her. We believe we did everything we could and gave her as much time as possible to make it back to the races, but things did not come to fruition.

We are currently working on rehoming plans and in the meantime, she has shipped to Sunshine Farm in Bradbury near the racetrack. 

We will continue to keep you all updated on the next plan for Mo Temptation.

As owners of "Mo T" we are in hardy agreement with the decision made regarding her retirement. We'll keep you updated on any future news on her next home. 

Mo T was our very first partnership with MRH, so the beautiful daughter of Mo Town will always be a very special filly for us. 

Here's a picture gallery of our time with Mo Temptation.

Post to our followers on our FB Page:

As the winds of fortune so often change in this industry, after our high of seeing Seize The Grey win the 2024 Preakness, we now are faced with a little more somber news as our lovely Mo Temptation is being retired from racing. 

Just prior to being entered for her next start, the Doug O'Neill team noted she was "off." They didn't enter her and observed her closely for well over a week before determining she has developed a knee issue. She has had a series of setbacks, so at this time a decision was made that it's in the best interests of the horse to retire her. They'll begin working a re-home for her in the coming weeks and we'll keep you posted. 

Our promising daughter of Mo Town (believed to have been named in honor of The Temptations who had a contract with Mo Town records) was our first purchase with MRH. In spite of some brilliant works, she only had one start at Del Mar and ran 7th in a field of 12. Her sire, Mo Town, has been a very promising Uncle Mo son, and her dam is a half-sister to the outstanding NY sire, Army Mule. 

We wish her all the best for the next phase of life and will keep tabs on her so we can report any future news.

Mo Temptation Update - We're on Hold

Unfortunately, we received a call this morning from trainer Doug O’Neill that Mo Temptation was a tick-off this morning during the barn’s pre-entry inspection. This will prevent us from entering her in the aforementioned MCL which takes entries today. 

Doug doesn’t think this is anything serious but given her history, he would like to give her a few more days and reassess her status.

Mo Temptation Looks for First Start Back

Mo Temptation is currently targeting a race at Santa Anita going six and one half furlongs over the turf on May 17th.

Mo Temptation Works from Gate in Company

Mo Temptation had her first work at Santa Anita Park this morning, covering five furlongs from the gate in 1:01 flat. She broke well while on the outside of her stablemate Tomorrow Never Comes and the duo traveled down the backside and into the turn on even terms. Mo Temptation got a little tired late in the work coming off the turn but the five furlongs did come to a completion at the eighth pole. 

Pending all continues well we have a few options to consider but our main target will be a $50,000 maiden claiming event going six and one half furlongs over the turf on May 17th.

Mo Temptation Shipping Back to Doug O'Neill

Mo Temptation turned in another very nice work this morning at San Luis Rey Downs, covering five furlongs in 1:00.80. Assistant trainer Kim Marrs couldn’t be happier with her progress and overall status, giving her the green light to trainer Doug O’Neill to ship into Santa Anita Park. Our daughter of Mo Town is expected to ship to Santa Anita tomorrow and we’ll begin looking at potential race targets. 

Mo Temptation Turns in Third Strong Work

Mo Temptation has turned in three strong works in recent works, with this morning's work being from the gate. We have not received an official update as yet, but suspect she may be approaching a start.

San Luis Rey Training Center 4/13/2024 Dirt 4F 47.80 Handily from gate 3/17

San Luis Rey Training Center 4/4/2024         Dirt 4F 48.20 Handily 2/14

San Luis Rey Training Center 3/23/2024 Dirt 4F 47.20 Handily 2/18 

Update:

Mo Temptation breezed a half mile in :47.80 from the gate on Saturday morning at San Luis Rey Downs. Assistant trainer Kim Marrs reported everything went very well and most importantly she bounced out of this work beautifully. 

Your daughter of Mo Town definitely got a bit tired from this demanding drill but that is as expected and she should gain a lot of fitness from it. Kim doesn’t believe we are too far from the races pending everything continues in good order.

Mo Temptation Update

Mo Temptation exited her recent work in good physical order and was spotted jogging this morning at San Luis Rey Downs. 

With rain hitting the area and more rain expected over the weekend, the daughter of Mo Town will continue to jog and gallop for the remainder of the week and bypass Saturday’s breeze. 

Mo Temptation will return to the work tab next weekend and will begin gate-schooling in the near future as she continues to build her fitness.

[Our comments: It appears Mo Temptation may be approaching the time when she'll be entered in a race with gate schooling on the horizon. She has one start, on July 23, 2023, when she finished 7th of 12 in a MSW at Del Mar. As a now 4YO, we hope she has the maturity and strength to take her career forward.]

Mo Temptation Runs a Near Bullet Work

Mo Temptation breezed a sharp half-mile this morning at San Luis Rey Downs and was credited with a final time of :47.20 (2/18.) Admittedly this was a little faster than we or Kim Marrs would have hoped for being her first half-mile but she has been on a very gradual progression plan to this point and has had plenty of foundation under her. There is some additional rain expected next Friday and Saturday which could affect her next work but pending she exits this work in good order we should see her back on the work tab in the next 7-10 days.

Mo Temptation (MD) Doug F. O'Neill Filly 4YO 47.20 handily 2/18

Mo Temptation Update

Mo Temptation breezed three furlongs this morning in :36.80 at San Luis Rey Downs. Assistant trainer Kim Marrs remains pleased as the training intensity has increased, reporting, “She has really woken up!  ...and I am thrilled with her training so far.”

We still have ways to go but all reports are positive to this stage.

Mo Temptation Works 2F

Mo Temptation breezed a solo two furlongs in :23.40 yesterday morning at San Luis Rey Downs. As usual, the daughter of Mo Town was involved from the get-go and continues to move forward in her training. 

This is her second bullet work in a row, though only a few horses are working at these distances.

San Luis Rey Training Center 3/1/2024 Dirt 2F 23.40 Handily 1*/3

Assistant trainer Kim Marrs reported that your filly went well and has remained in good physical order since increasing the training intensity. We'll continue to take those baby steps forward each week and next week will breeze three furlongs.

Here Come The Works...

Friday, March 1, 2024

Adaay In Asia

Philip D'Amato M 5 49.20 h 62/110

Legitify

Richard E. Mandella C 3 47.00 h from gate   2/110

Mo Temptation

Doug F. O'Neill F 4 23.40 h 1*/3

Pioneer Prince

Richard E. Mandella G 4 1:01.00 h 37/95

Secret Crush

Todd A. Pletcher C 3 1:01.57 b 2/7

Mo Temptation Update

Mo Temptation had her first official work back this morning at San Luis Rey Downs, covering one furlong in :11.40. As planned, assistant Kim Marrs is bringing her back gradually and will continue on a slow progression plan. 

Mo Temptation has always been an aggressive type when it comes to her training so it is not a surprise she worked on the quicker side but Kim slowed her down as much as possible. 

Pending all continues well, next week she will breeze a quarter (two furlongs.)

Mo Temptation Update

Assistant trainer Kim Marrs provided an update on Mo Temptation this morning, reporting all continues well since she picked up galloping. 

She is expected to have her first minor breeze this coming Saturday at San Luis Rey Downs. She will only breeze an eighth of a mile, gradually increasing the intensity of her training. 

Patience continues to be in order for our daughter of Mo Town as she returns to training. 

Mo Temptation Update

While training has been shut down for the past four days, your daughter of Mo Town remains in good order at San Luis Rey. Our team checked in with assistant Kim Marrs, who reported Mo Temptation transitioned to galloping as expected before the rain and is doing well. 

The O’Neill barn will continue to cautiously increase the intensity of her training as they see fit. 

Mo Temptation Update

Mo Temptation has remained in good order at San Luis Rey training center where she will begin to gallop this week, pending track conditions. 

Assistant trainer Kimberley Marrs has been nothing but happy with our daughter of Mo Town as she returned to a steady jogging routine. 

The O'Neill team will still take things slow but after approximately three weeks of galloping, we could see the 4-year-old filly have her first official work back nearer the end of February.

Mo Temptation Update - Back on the Track

The MRH team went to check in on Mo Temptation this morning at San Luis Rey Downs. Our newly turned 4-year-old started back jogging on Dec. 26th and will pick up galloping in approximately two weeks. Assistant trainer Kim Marrs couldn’t be happier with her physical condition since she came back from Trifecta and we will continue to report on her progress in the coming weeks.

From the video we were provided, we noted that Mo Temptation was feeling very good and quite frisky on the track, appearing happy to be back. 

We'll keep you posted on any future news. 

Photo is a screenshot from the video we were provided. 

Mo Temptation Update

Mo Temptation has been doing well at San Luis Rey since shipping back to the O'Neill barn in early December. Assistant trainer Kimberly Marrs reported our daughter of Mo Town will start back on the track this coming week. The O’Neill barn is taking its time with her so Mo Temptation will likely jog for 3-4 weeks before moving forward. 

We'll report back with any news to share in the coming weeks.

Mo Temptation Back at San Luis Rey

Mo Temptation has settled back into her home at San Luis Rey in great order and assistant trainer Kimberly Marrs is very happy with how your filly looks. Given we have had two setbacks with this filly, Kim is going to take things slow and give your daughter of Mo Town every chance to succeed. We want to thank the team at Trifecta for doing a phenomenal job with and preparing her for her return to the track.