Runnymede Farm

Catching up on an exciting maiden victory this week by Dulce Ambicion, a 2yo filly by Kitten's Joy who is the first foal out of our young and well-bred mare Cumbria (Distorted Humor).

Bred with partners including Kilshannig Stud & Meridian International, Dulce Ambicion endured what the Equibase chart caller reported was a "brutal trip" when unplaced in her all-weather track debut on October 7 at Gulfstream Park. Entered back for a one mile, 70-yard all-weather Gulfstream event against eight rivals on December 1, the chestnut broke slowly and was last through the first half-mile but ranged up toward the front while five-wide on the far turn and drew clear for a 1 1/2-length win.

From the female family of highly influential sire Fappiano, Cumbria is a half sister to SW & MGSP Maximova. Since producing Dulce Ambicion in 2020, Cumbria has delivered a now yearling filly by Catholic Boy named Marquette Warrior and a weanling c**t by Kantharos, and she was bred back to Omaha Beach.

(Photo of Dulce Ambicion winning at Gulfstream under jockey David Boraco by Coglianese Photos)

Here's one to watch: fancy, white-splashed Rally Board, Runnymede-bred, raised and sold with our partners, finished 2nd today in his debut in a maiden special weight race at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots. His pedigree is also fancy as he is by Into Mischief out of Smashing Serena, a daughter of champion Serena's Song's full sister, the appropriately named Serena's Sister.

Rally Board looked fairly green, breaking from the rail and dropping back to last early in the field of 6 as Machine Gun Man sped to an uncontested early lead.

Getting into the spirit of his name, Rally Board gained ground on the inside as the field headed into the stretch of the 6f dash but found himself in tight quarters. He persevered and pushed past rival Amanwalksintoabar to grab the runner-up spot, 1 1/2 lengths behind the winning pacesetter.

Rally Board has a great team behind him as he is owned by Spendthrift Farm in partnership with lots of other prominent participants including Steve Landers Racing, Martin Schwartz, Michael Dubb, Ten Strike Racing and others. Trained by Brad Cox, we hope we will see Rally Board in a winner's circle soon.

(Yearling photo of Rally Board at the farm, prior to his sale at Keeneland for $300,000 on behalf of Runnymede and partners Peter Callahan, Haras d'Etreham & Ecurie des Charmes)

Congratulations to all the connections of Icarus, a 3yo gray son of the late, great who earned his second career victory today at Churchill Downs and boosted his bankroll over $100,000.

Bred in partnership by Runnymede, Peter Callahan, Enid Cafritz & Haras d'Etreham, Icarus was saddled by trainer Tom Amoss for Maggi Moss and was given a front-running ride to the winner's circle in the 1 1/16-mile race by the hot Edgar Morales.

Icarus' record now stands at 7 starts, 2 wins, 1 second & 1 third with earnings of $105,874.

He is the second foal of his dam, the Tapit mare Light the Sky, who also has a so-far unraced 2yo filly by Union Rags named Monte Luna and a yearling c**t by City of Light who sold at the Keeneland September sale for $200,000 to Ocean Reef Racing.

After earning $42,900 for the win today, Icarus was claimed for $50,000 by Tom Van Berg for Lewis Mathews Jr.

(Win Photo from Coady Photography)