It is rare when a stallion, even the best of stallions, sires three SWs during the same week, or even during the same month, for that matter. But, that is exactly what Cheveley Park Stud’s Pivotal accomplished, not in a week or a month, but on the same Day when his First-Time SWs Heaven Sent (WNR: A), Jazz Jam (WNR: A), and Il Warrd (WNR: B+) won listed stakes in Great Britain on April 12. To make this feat even more unique, all of them won at the same distance (one mile) and on all-weather surfaces. Not done yet, just four days later Pivotal’s 3yo daughter Infallible (WNR: A++) won the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes. Pivotal stands for 85,000 euros (about $150,000) and is considered one of Europe’s premier stallions.
Pivotal was not alone in producing three SWs that day. Daughters of Rahy were also responsible for three SWs — Rutherienne (WNR: A++), winner of the G2 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland, as well as the previously mentioned Jazz Jam and Heaven Sent.
While Rahy has done little as a sire of sires, he has become a broodmare sire extraordinaire. So far in 2008, he is the second leading broodmare sire of unrestricted SWs with seven. To date, daughters of Rahy have produced 44 unrestricted SWs, including five G1 winners. As a complete outcross to Northern Dancer and Raise a Native, Rahy should prove to be a major player in the production of high-class stakes performers for years to come, especially considering that he’s still active at stud.
The Pivotal/Rahy nick certainly looks to a mega-nick in the making. In addition to Jazz Jam and Heaven Sent, G1 winner Megahertz is by Pivotal out of the Rahy mare Heavenly Ray. In fact, three of the four Pivotal/Rahy foals of racing age are SWs! Even the most ardent detractor of the power of the nick would have difficulty dismissing this one.
Considering the Pivotal/Rahy strike rate to date, it will be very interesting to follow the careers of the only two registered Pivotal/Rahy 2yo’s this year – the colt Count Paris (Pivotal-Dearly, by Rahy), and the filly Funhouse (Pivotal-Fun and Games, by Rahy.
(This article appeared in the April 25, 2008 issue of Thoroughbred Daily News and is reprinted here with their permission) WNR: the Werk Nick Rating
Note: On May 3, Heaven Sent won the G3 Dahlia Stakes in Great Britain!