Breeding & Racing Magazine

Former Aust Mare Astronomia Wins US Debut

In the US, the former Gai Waterhouse-trained Australian 5YO racemare Astronomia (King's Best-Astralita, by Kenny's Best Pal) who was sent by Godolphin to Dubai & then the UK in early 2006, won her North American debut in a US$69,000 race for fillies & mares over 5.5 furlongs on turf at Saratoga in New York. Astronomia (ridden by John Velazquez for trainer Saeed bin Suroor) scored by 2.25-lengths at odds of 15-1. Astronomia (purchased by Darley for $280,000 at the 2004 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney from the draft of Trelawney Stud) notched 2 wins & 6 placings (including runner-ups in the Gr2 Wakeful Stakes over 2000m at Flemington & Listed Reginald Allen Quality over 1400m at Randwick, plus 4th in the Gr1 AJC Oaks over 2400m) in 12 starts for $212,310 prize-money on Australian tracks. She subsequently finished unplaced in 3 runs in England last year (including 4th in a Listed event at Goodwood).