CALLAGHAN STEPPING UP TO THE ‘PLATE’
By Steve Sherack
Trainer Simon Callaghan quickly made a statement with European imports–led by the exploits of Grade I winners Belle Royale (Ire), Byrama (GB) and Dubawi Heights (GB)–after relocating to Southern California from his native England in 2009. The 30-year-old is proving just as effective with 2-year-old sales graduates on the main track, courtesy GI Las Virgenes S. heroine Fashion Plate (Old Fashioned) ($340,000 ‘13 OBSAPR) and GII San Vicente S. runner-up Cherubim(Henny Hughes) ($50,000 ‘13 OBSJUN).
“When we first came here, that was our play to bring some European turf horses over for our clients,” said Callaghan, who has also won graded stakes with No Jet Lag, Qaraaba (GB), Slim Shadey (GB), Turning Top (Ire) and Up In Time (GB). “We thought we had a little bit of an edge as regards to which ones to buy, and that’s where we had our initial success. Then those people re-invested after we did so well.”
In addition to the aforementioned promising duo of Fashion Plate and Cherubim, Callaghan has also been well-represented by fellow 2013 juvenile auction purchases: Anoakia S. and Moccasin S. heroine Bajan (Speightstown) ($80,000 OBSMAR); GIII Sham S. third-place finisher and narrow Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. runner-up Ontology (Tapit) ($210,000 OBSMAR); and promising debut second Footstepsinbronze (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) (32,000gns TATGNS).
“It was only last year, really, that we were given the opportunity from a few clients to buy some 2-year-olds and some horses that were going to run on the dirt,” Callaghan explained. “That’s kind of what we always wanted, it just took a little bit of time to get there. Over those two-three years as we spread our base, we got some American-based clients and some guys that were willing to spend money at the 2-year-old sales.”
Fashion Plate broke through with a convincing maiden win when making her dirt debut going six furlongs at third asking at Santa Anita Dec. 29 and proved more than ready for the big leagues with a wire-to-wire success over GI Hollywood Starlet S. heroine Streaming (Smart Strike) in the Las Virgenes.
“She was the filly that we really wanted in that sale,” Callaghan said of the GI Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 5 and GI Kentucky Oaks hopeful. “Her breeze was spectacular, and she galloped out incredibly well. She just had an incredible temperament going through the breeze-up sale after going in :9 4/5.”
Callaghan continued, “Every time that we viewed her, she was incredibly well-behaved and showed a great disposition. For a 2-year-old filly that had been through all of that, I think that’s one of the real important things.”
Cherubim, meanwhile, faded to finish a well-beaten eighth on debut behind the highly-regarded Indianapolis (Medaglia d’Oro) at Hollywood Nov. 24. He looked a different type when drumming the talented duo of Chelios (Distorted Humor) and Pimpernel (Elusive Quality) when switched to dirt at Santa Anita Dec. 28, then held his own behind the impressive Kobe’s Back (Flatter) after dueling through hot splits in the San Vicente.
“His pedigree suggests that six furlongs will be his optimum distance,” Callaghan, showing no signs of Derby fever, offered. “He ran a really good race in the San Vicente and got beat by a very good horse on the day. I think he’ll be a 3-year-old to follow versus stakes company throughout the year.”
Callaghan learned the ropes from his father Neville, who trained European champion and leading sire Danehill Dancer (Ire). He also worked for leading conditioners Richard Hannon and Todd Pletcher before venturing out on his own five years ago. Callaghan currently trains approximately 35 head, a number likely to continue to grow this spring. He added two fillies to the stable at Monday’s Barretts March Sale, led by Hip 24, a daughter of Malibu Moon–Necessary Evil purchased by Coolmore for $450,000. Callaghan is currently putting together a partnership for Hip 58, a daughter of Desert Code–Lujien Lujien. She brought $130,000.
“I’d love to get up to a 60-horse barn, concentrating on quality,” Callaghan concluded. “That is definitely something I want to do. We’ve been slowly growing each year. I could see us picking up several more at the upcoming 2-year-old sales. I think we’re going to grow in numbers, which is great and something that we look forward to.”