Letter to the Editor: Frances Relihan

Great race horses, as we all know, can pass through a lot of hands along the way on their path to stardom. Having read many articles in recent weeks regarding the raising of Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah, I would like to complete the story regarding his early days at Vinery. 

Zayat Stables’ American Pharoah was shipped from his birthplace at Tom Van Meter’s Stockplace Farm to Vinery, where I was the farm manager when he was approximately three months old and still by the side of his dam Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman). He remained on the mare, through weaning and into his yearling year at Vinery where it was a very enjoyable experience to see him grow and mature. 

The colt was a very nice horse to be around from the beginning. Physically he had a great walk to him like his sire, he was correct, well balanced and had very good bone and substance. In addition–and most importantly– he had a great temperament and was a very laid-back individual who took everything in his stride, including the weaning process. These desirable attributes were apparent from early days making him a standout amongst the foal crop on the farm that year. 

When the Vinery principals announced in early 2013 that the farm was would be offered for sale, sadly we were faced with having to relocate all client horses along with the Vinery stallions as the operation phased down. These horses included the colt who would later become known as American Pharoah, his dam, and his very promising young sire Pioneerof the Nile. 

As a result of this, in January of his yearling year the future champion departed Vinery to commence the next phase of his development at Taylor Made Farm. His sire, the 2009 Kentucky Derby runner-up and also a color bearer for Zayat Stables, was entering his fourth season at stud that year. Having been well supported by breeders for his first three years at Vinery, he was relocated to WinStar Farm at that time to continue his stud duties in advance of his much anticipated first crop, which was about to debut on the racetrack. 

The Vinery property, now under new ownership and enjoying a new lease of life as Haras Don Alberto, has seen many top Kentucky Derby hopefuls roam its fields in recent years. Since 2009 alone, Friesan Fire and Archarcharch were both foaled and raised on the property, and along with Awesome Act (yearling purchase) made their way into the starting gate at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Last year saw top Kentucky Derby contenders Constitution–also foaled and raised on the farm–and Cairo Prince (short yearling purchase) compete together on the racetrack. The two horses had earlier grazed together in those same fields on the corner of Spurr Road and Yarnellton Pike. 

This, 2015, has now become the year that we can say a Kentucky Derby winner grazed those same pastures. 

I would like to wish Mr. Zayat, Justin and the entire Zayat team every success in the exciting weeks ahead as their very talented colt continues in his pursuit of the Triple Crown. 

Sincerely, 
Frances M. Relihan 
Farm Manager 
Haras Don Alberto