A fabulous start to the career of Newgate Farm’s Tassort and a welcome back to Tommy Berry as Manaal captured Saturday’s Group III Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m).
Tassort received wonderful support from Emirates Park. They were rewarded when their homebred edged out the solidly supported Capitalist filly Celestial Bling by a half-head with a further back to the erratic Russian Revolution filly Repose a head back in third.
Trained by Michael Freedman, Manall sports the same green and white silks carried to victory by Enthaar in the 2020 Gimcrack.
“It’s a big thrill all round. Emirates have been very good to me this year, giving me a couple of these Tassorts,” Freedman said.
“It’s a terrific result for them, owning the stallion, and they’ve supported him heavily. It’s terrific to get a result like that and for Tommy (Berry) because we’ve got a long association. He’s been doing it hard the last six to eight months, and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.
“I think there’s better to come. I told the owners before the race that whatever she does today will be great, but I can’t wait to see her in the autumn. She’ll have a nice little break now, and we might be there in the autumn.
“I thought her trial was a little better than perhaps it looked visually. She has always shown us a lot at home, and the other day in the trial, she had to get down on the rail to make a run and was very timid among them.
“We had a plan today; we wanted to give her plenty of clear galloping room because she worked so well here on Tuesday. It panned out perfectly, and I’m so happy for Tommy with all his trials and tribulations over the last six or eight months.”
“We’ve been good mates for a long time, so it’s a great thrill to get one for him.”
Tommy Berry said it had been a trying time and was thrilled to be back.
“I promised I wouldn’t get emotional, and then these guys (his children) come along. It’s been a long road; I learnt so much about myself while I was off,” Berry said.
“I built such a good relationship with my kids; it’s just made me come into racing with a new lease on life, a new way of looking at things. There are so many people that I thank; my family, my friends, and my manager, Paul Joice, for sticking with me. I gave him hell these last six months. Dad at home, I love you mate.
“She bounced really well, and I actually sent Michael Freedman (trainer) a message last night and said, ‘Is she alright?’ She kept blowing in the market, but we knew she just had so much improvement coming out of the first trial. All of Michael’s do, but full credit to the team. Gee, Michael has a good team this year, I can’t wait.”
A half-sister to recent Warwick Farm winner Fightertown (Snitzel), Manaal is the second foal of the Midshipman (USA) mare Red Lodge (USA), a stakes-winner for Wesley Ward, and a granddaughter of the exceptional Memories Of Silver.
Red Lodge (USA) has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and was covered by Zoustar last spring.
A son of Brazen Beau from the blue hen Essaouira, Tassort made just two starts, winning the Golden Gift on debut before finishing second to Time To Reign in the Group II Silver slipper Stakes.
Tassort received an excellent response from breeders, covering 137 mares in his first year, 181 in his second, and 132 in his third. He will prove popular again at a fee of $11,000.
