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| Staff Writer |
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Newgate, the Grade One-winning son of Into Mischief, is being readied for his next planned start in the US$7 million Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 2, before embarking on a new career at Three Chimneys Farm.
The powerfully built colt, trained by Hall of Fame handler Bob Baffert, has been a flagbearer for the high-profile ownership group comprising SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan.
Having cost US$850,000 at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Newgate burst onto the scene with a winning debut at Del Mar in July 2022, displaying precocious speed over five and a half furlongs.
His three-year-old campaign yielded success in the Gr.3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, beating subsequent Grade One victor Arabian Lion. The pinnacle of his career came in this year's Gr.1 Santa Anita Handicap, where he triumphed over a stellar field including Mixto, Highland Falls, and Subsanador.
The Big 'Cap, as it is affectionately known, has been won by legendary performers such as Seabiscuit (1940), Affirmed (1979), and John Henry (1981, 1982), cementing its place in racing folklore.
Hailing from a prolific family, Newgate's full sister Denim and Pearls captured this year's Gr.2 Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland, while his half-sister Adeera showed promise when placing third in the Ellis Park Debutante Stakes.
Speaking about the announcement, SF's Tom Ryan stated: "Newgate was exceptional from the very beginning of his career. He demonstrated impressive precocity as a 2YO, breaking his maiden as a TDN 'Rising Star' at Del Mar. At 3, Newgate showcased his elite ability in the one 1/16-mile Bob Lewis Stakes, winning with an impressive 100 Beyer, and we believed we had a real (Kentucky) Derby contender. However, a setback sidelined our dreams and delayed his return until 2024. He has returned bigger, stronger, and faster, winning a very competitive renewal of the Gr.1 Santa Anita Handicap. He finished an eye-catching third, beaten a head, in the Gr.1 California Crown. Newgate is a majestic physical with speed that can carry him a long way. He's always been one of the most stunning colts in Bob (Baffert)'s shed row, and that's a very difficult feat. SF looks forward to continuing our association with Newgate at Three Chimeys."
Baffert remarked: "Newgate is a magnificent-looking horse. He's an absolute standout who was very talented on the racetrack. Rarely do you see a horse with the speed and precocity to win first out early in its 2-year-old year going 5 1/2 then be able to win a Grade One at a mile and quarter as an older horse. He's by the right sire and he's going to the farm that stands Gun Runner."
Three Chimneys' Gonçalo Torrealba added: "We are excited to have such an impressive colt from Bob Baffert's barn coming to Three Chimneys for the 2025 breeding season. Impeccably bred Grade One winners are hard to get, and to have SF and Stonestreet staying involved in his next career with us means a lot. There are not any better endorsements than that. Three Chimneys couldn't be happier to offer breeders such an outstanding son of Into Mischief."