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| Staff Writer |
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The connections of Mansa Musa, a speedy youngster, are setting their sights on the Breeders' Cup after narrowly missing out on a big-race win at the Curragh last month. Trained by Irish-based Brazilian Diego Dias, Mansa Musa is the son of Ten Sovereigns and has shown plenty of talent in his three outings so far. At the Qatar Goodwood Festival, he repelled the well-regarded 4/6 favourite Array to shed his maiden tag and announce himself as a contender.
Initially, it seemed that Mansa Musa would be headed for Hong Kong, but after being purchased by Team Valor International LLC and Gary Barber, he continued to be trained by Dias and was immediately upped in class for the Group Three Round Tower Stakes. He finished an honourable second to Paddy Twomey's Letsbefrankaboutit, proving that he has what it takes to compete at a high level.
All of Mansa Musa's runs so far have been over six furlongs, and he will continue to race over that distance for his next start in the Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse on 18th September. However, his connections are eyeing a trip to Santa Anita in early November for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. The drop back to five furlongs and the opportunity to race around a bend could play to Mansa Musa's strengths, and his pace could be a real asset in this event.
Mansa Musa: The Rising Star of Horse Racing
It will be interesting to see how Mansa Musa performs in the Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes and whether he earns a spot in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. With his speed and talent, he could be a force to be reckoned with in the world of horse racing.
“We got lucky there and I originally tried to buy him but someone in Hong Kong made a much, much bigger offer,” explained Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor.
“The horse was vetted and for some reason, even though the vetting for me was fine, they decided not to go, so we were able to get him for our original offer. We’re into him at a very good figure.
“I think six furlongs for him at this moment is just a little too far against the really good horses. The horse that beat him the other day looks pretty smart.
“We’re going to run him back one more time going six furlongs at Fairyhouse on September 18 because that is the most suitable race and if he performs well enough we will send him over to America for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Turf) Sprint.
“That is five furlongs around a turn and it is one of those races where if you get the right draw, then he is a very speedy horse and I think he could do something in a race like that.
“In his first race he showed a ton of speed and it just caught up with him in the last furlong, he went from first to last in a heartbeat. But he has a tremendous amount of early speed for a horse of his size.”