2016 Kentucky Derby Pedigrees: Trojan Nation

Trojan Nation may remain a maiden after his near-miss in the Wood Memorial (G1), but he boasts a strong pedigree as a son of Street Cry and champion Storm Song.

Street Cry was exquisitely bred, being by Mr. Prospector’s French champion juvenile Machiavellian and out of 1985 Irish Oaks (G1) winner Helen Street. After flashing serious talent at two, when just missing in the 2000 Del Mar Futurity (G2) and Norfolk (G2), and finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), Street Cry scored his breakthrough in the UAE 2000 Guineas. Although he suffered another near-miss in the UAE Derby (G3), he would have been a prime contender in the 2001 Kentucky Derby (G1), only to be ruled out by injury.

As a 4-year-old, Street Cry finally revealed the depth of his talent. Again wintering in Dubai, he dominated the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G2) and the richest prize of all, the Dubai World Cup (G1). When he returned triumphant in the Stephen Foster (G1) at Churchill Downs, thoughts inevitably turned to what might have been had he stayed healthy for the Derby.

Street Cry gained some compensation by siring a Kentucky Derby winner in Street Sense (2007). The previous year’s champion 2-year-old colt, Street Sense stands alone in the record book for turning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1)/Derby double. Street Cry was in position to try for another double when his son New Year’s Day captured the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, until he suffered a career-ending injury.

But Street Cry may be even more famous for siring Zenyatta, who garnered legions of ardent fans while going unbeaten through her first 19 starts, and came up agonizingly short when trying to repeat in the 2010 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). The great mare was just voted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame. As her prowess on synthetic and dirt implied, Street Cry can sire horses for all surfaces.

Street Cry’s come up with another distaff sensation in Winx, who’s won nine straight in her native Australia, perhaps most famously her romp in the prestigious Cox Plate (G1). His other Australian stars include 2009 Melbourne Cup (G1) hero Shocking, Whobegotyou, and Pride of Dubai, while his standouts in Europe include Carlton House, third as the favorite in the 2011 Epsom Derby (G1), and Princess Highway, heroine of the 2012 Ribblesdale (G2) at Royal Ascot.

Trojan Nation’s dam, Storm Song, reigned as the champion 2-year-old filly of 1996 following victories in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Frizette (G1), and Adirondack (G2). Her form didn’t carry over to the following season, however, and her best efforts were a pair of thirds in the Ashland (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) (via disqualification). She retired with a mark of 12-4-1-2, $1,020,050.

As a mouthwatering broodmare prospect, Storm Song sold for $1.4 million at the 1997 Keeneland November Sale. But unlike her racing career, which began well before fizzling out, her record as a broodmare has taken the opposite trajectory. She produced a few minor winners of little note – hardly what might have been hoped for a decade before. And so, as she approached her 16th birthday, without having been bred back that season, she was offered again at Keeneland November in 2009. Dr. Aaron Sones took her home for just $100,000.

Since then, Storm Song’s produce record has looked a lot better, thanks to her daughters. Her first foal, Another Storm, is the dam of three stakes winners – the exciting stayer Order of St George, who trounced older horses in last September’s Irish St Leger (G1) and now rates an Ascot Gold Cup (G1) threat for Aidan O’Brien, as well as Grade/Group 3 scorers Angel Terrace and Asperity. Storm Song’s third foal, Strawberry Fair, produced Japanese Grade 2 scorer Midsummer Fair. Another daughter of Storm Song, Quiet Life, is the dam of multiple Singaporean champion Better Life.

Storm Song’s penultimate foal she had for Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley, Balladry, was only a yearling when she was sold. But he turned out to be her first black-type performer, placing in the San Fernando (G2) and Cougar II (G3). Now Trojan Nation is on course to become her best.

Storm Song is by Summer Squall, the 1990 Kentucky Derby runner-up who turned the tables on Unbridled in the Preakness (G1). A Storm Bird half-brother to A.P. Indy, Summer Squall sired 1999 Horse of the Year Charismatic, who swept the Derby and Preakness before breaking down in his Triple Crown quest in the Belmont (G1); millionaire Summer Colony; and 2005 Kentucky Oaks queen Summerly.

Summer Squall also factors as the broodmare sire of champions Summer Bird and Stevie Wonderboy; Grade 1 winner Street Hero (by Street Cry and thus bred on the same cross as Trojan Nation); Premier Pegasus, a leading light on the 2011 Derby trail before succumbing to injury; and current Kentucky Oaks contender Lewis Bay, victorious in the Demoiselle (G2) and Gazelle (G2).

Storm Song is out of the Fappiano mare Hum Along, who is also responsible for ill-fated Oak Leaf (G2) winner Diamond Omi and ancestress of Grade 3 victors High Cotton and Symphony Sid.

The next three dams in the maternal line are all stakes winners – Minstress, by The Minstrel (herself the dam of 2003 Musidora [G3] victress Cassis), 1976 Sheepshead Bay (G2) winner Fleet Victress, and 1955 Vanity and Milady star Countess Fleet.

Trojan Nation traces to 1925 champion 2-year-old filly and influential matron Friar’s Carse, dam of noted sire War Relic. Going further back still, he descends from the same tap root mare as 1922 Kentucky Derby winner Morvich.

Pedigree information courtesy of Brisnet.com.

Photo courtesy of Cecilia Gustavsson/Horsephotos.com.