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Uncle Mo
View on Wikipedia| Uncle Mo | |
|---|---|
Uncle Mo (right) battles Caleb's Posse in the 2011 King's Bishop Stakes. | |
| Sire | Indian Charlie |
| Grandsire | In Excess |
| Dam | Playa Maya |
| Damsire | Arch |
| Sex | Stallion |
| Foaled | March 10, 2008 |
| Died | December 19, 2024 (aged 16) |
| Country | United States |
| Colour | Bay |
| Breeder | D. Michael Cavey |
| Owner | Repole Stable |
| Trainer | Todd A. Pletcher |
| Record | 8: 5-1-1 |
| Earnings | US$1,336,000 |
| Major wins | |
| Champagne Stakes (2010) Timely Writer Stakes (2011) Kelso Handicap (2011) Breeders' Cup wins: Breeders' Cup Juvenile (2010) | |
| Awards | |
| American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt (2010) | |
Uncle Mo (March 10, 2008 – December 19, 2024) was an American champion Thoroughbred racehorse who went undefeated in his two-year-old season and was named the American Champion Two-Year-Old of 2010. However, his three-year-old season was disrupted by illness, causing him to miss the Kentucky Derby. Retired to stud in 2012, he was the leading freshman sire with his first foal crop, which included 2016 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist.
Racing career
[edit]2010: two-year-old season
[edit]In his first start, a maiden special weight on the Travers undercard at Saratoga, Uncle Mo led at every call to beat a field of 2-year-olds by 14 1/4 lengths. In his next start, the Grade I Champagne Stakes, he took the lead early and never looked back en route to a 5-length win in the time of 1:34 2/5 seconds—faster than Secretariat's 1972 Champagne win.
In the Grade I Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Uncle Mo won by four lengths over Grade 1 winner Boys at Tosconova.[1] He was voted the 2010 Eclipse Award as the American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt.[2]
2011: three-year-old season
[edit]As the early favorite for the 2011 Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the U.S. Triple Crown series,[3] Uncle Mo made his 3-year-old debut in the Timely Writer, a one-turn mile overnight stakes at Gulfstream Park. After dawdling on the lead for the first three-quarters of a mile, he came home in 22 4/5 for the final quarter.
His next start was the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on April 9.[4] Running 9 furlongs for the first time in his career, Uncle Mo was defeated by Toby's Corner and finished third.
After his upset at 1-10 odds, he was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal infection but was still sent to Churchill Downs in anticipation of a start in the Kentucky Derby. After finishing a course of antibiotics, regressing immediately after stopping medication, and losing over 70 pounds in the weeks before the Derby, he was scratched the day before the race.[5]
Sent to Winstar Farm to recuperate and receive attention from top veterinarians, Uncle Mo was diagnosed with cholangiohepatitis, a rare liver disease. He began treatment while continuing to rest at Winstar. After gaining back 110 pounds in two months, he returned to trainer Todd Pletcher's barn at Saratoga on July 11, 2011. The colt resumed training and finished second to Caleb's Posse in the 7-furlong King's Bishop Stakes on August 1, 2011. He then went on to win the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park in wire to wire fashion.[6]
Retirement to stud
[edit]Uncle Mo was retired from racing on November 10, 2011, shortly after finishing 10th in the Breeders' Cup Classic. His retirement was prompted by elevated levels of the liver enzyme GGT, which also occurred earlier in the season and led to a diagnosis of cholangiohepatitis.
Uncle Mo began standing at Ashford Stud, the American arm of Irish breeding giant Coolmore, for the 2012 Thoroughbred breeding season,[7] and later became a "shuttle stallion" servicing mares at Coolmore's American and Australian farms.[8][9]
Uncle Mo was the leading freshman sire of 2015 in North America and the overall leading sire of two-year-olds in Europe and North America.[10] In 2016, he was not only the leading second-crop sire, he also finished third in the general sire listing despite having only two crops of racing age.[11] His stud fee was increased to $150,000 for the 2017 season.[12]
On December 19, 2024, Mike Repole announced on his X account that Uncle Mo had been euthanized at the age of 16. He said that Uncle Mo had injured his left foreleg, and underwent surgery on the day before his death. "Uncle Mo was so much more to me than a champion and iconic stallion—he was and always will be part of my family," he said.[13]
Notable progeny
[edit]Uncle Mo has sired 16 individual Grade I winners.
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
| Foaled | Name | Sex | Major Wins |
| 2013 | Gomo | f | Alcibiades Stakes |
| 2013 | Nyquist | c | Del Mar Futurity, FrontRunner Stakes, Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby |
| 2013 | Outwork | c | Wood Memorial Stakes |
| 2013 | Unbridled Mo | f | Apple Blossom Handicap |
| 2014 | Mo Town | c | Hollywood Derby |
| 2015 | Dream Tree | f | Starlet Stakes |
| 2016 | Mo Forza | c | Hollywood Derby |
| 2017 | Bast | f | Del Mar Debutante Stakes, Chandelier Stakes, Starlet Stakes |
| 2017 | Yaupon | c | Forego Stakes |
| 2018 | Golden Pal | c | Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint |
| 2019 | Mo Donegal | c | Belmont Stakes |
| 2019 | Adare Manor | f | Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (2023, 2024) |
| 2019 | A Mo Reay | f | Beholder Mile Stakes |
| 2020 | Arabian Knight | c | Pacific Classic Stakes |
| 2020 | Kingsbarns | c | Stephen Foster Stakes |
| 2021 | Seismic Beauty | f | Clement L. Hirsch Stakes |
Race record
[edit]| Date | Track | Race | Distance | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/23/2010 | Saratoga | Maiden | 6 Furlongs | 1 |
| 10/9/2010 | Belmont Park | Champagne Stakes | 8 Furlongs | 1 |
| 11/6//2010 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Juvenile | 8 ½ Furlongs | 1 |
| 3/12/2011 | Gulfstream Park | Timely Writer Stakes | 8 Furlongs | 1 |
| 4/9/2011 | Aqueduct | Wood Memorial | 9 Furlongs | 3 |
| 8/27/2011 | Saratoga | King's Bishop Stakes | 7 Furlongs | 2 |
| 10/1/2011 | Belmont Park | Kelso Handicap | 8 Furlongs | 1 |
| 11/5/2011 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Classic | 10 Furlongs | 10 |
Pedigree
[edit]| Sire Indian Charlie |
In Excess | Siberian Express | Caro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Call | |||
| Kantado | Saulingo | ||
| Vi | |||
| Soviet Sojourn | Leo Castelli | Sovereign Dancer | |
| Suspicious Native | |||
| Political Parfait | Diplomat Way | ||
| Peach Butter | |||
| Dam Playa Maya |
Arch | Kris S. | Roberto |
| Sharp Queen | |||
| Aurora | Danzig | ||
| Althea | |||
| Dixie Slippers | Dixieland Band | Northern Dancer | |
| Mississippi Mud | |||
| Cyane's Slippers | Cyane | ||
| Hot Slippers |
References
[edit]- ^ Bloomberg Businessweek November 06, 2010
- ^ Daily Racing Form, January 6, 2011
- ^ "MSNC, February 14, 2011". Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ BloodHorse, March 31, 2011
- ^ "Uncle Mo Scratched Out of Kentucky Derby". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ https://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=8292193®istry=T&rbt=TB
- ^ Grening, David (November 11, 2011). "Uncle Mo retired from racing". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 12, 2011.
- ^ "Coolmore Stallions: Coolmore America Roster". Coolmore Stud. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ^ "Coolmore Stallions: Coolmore Australia Roster". Coolmore Stud. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ^ Oppenheim, Bill (22 March 2016). "The Uncle Mo Show". www.thoroughbreddailynews.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "Interactive Sire Lists". www.bloodhorse.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ "Ashford Stud Releases 2017 Fees". BloodHorse.com. Retrieved 26 January 2017.
- ^ Collins, Sean (19 December 2024). "Ashford Stallion Uncle Mo Dies at Age 16". Blood Horse. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
Sources
[edit]Uncle Mo
View on GrokipediaBackground
Birth and Early Ownership
Uncle Mo, a bay Thoroughbred colt, was foaled on March 10, 2008, in Kentucky.[1] He was bred by Dr. D. Michael Cavey, a veterinarian and horse enthusiast based in the state. He sold as a weanling for $160,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale before entering the yearling market.[8] From a young age, Uncle Mo displayed promising physical attributes, standing approximately 16 hands tall with a powerful, muscular build and deep body that suggested both speed and durability, traits influenced briefly by his sire Indian Charlie's lineage known for precocity.[9] As a yearling, Uncle Mo entered the market at the Keeneland September Sale in 2009, where he was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder. He attracted attention for his conformation and was purchased by entrepreneur Mike Repole for $220,000, marking the beginning of his association with Repole Stable.[4] This acquisition represented a strategic investment for Repole, who was building his racing operation with an eye toward high-potential juveniles.[12] Following the sale, Uncle Mo was sent to Ocala, Florida, for initial breaking and training under James Crupi, a respected conditioner known for preparing young horses with careful attention to their development.[13] This pre-racing phase highlighted Uncle Mo's natural athleticism, as he matured into a robust individual ready for competitive pursuits.[9]Pedigree
Uncle Mo was sired by Indian Charlie, a Grade 1-winning son of In Excess (Ire) whose progeny were renowned for their sprinting speed and success in Breeders' Cup races, including champions like Indian Blessing and Fleet Indian.[14][15] Indian Charlie himself excelled at middle distances, winning the Santa Anita Derby and finishing second in the 1998 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, traits that contributed to Uncle Mo's precocious speed and class.[16] His dam, Playa Maya, was an unraced daughter of the Grade 1 Super Derby winner Arch, a versatile sire known for producing stamina-laden runners capable of performing on both dirt and turf.[17][18] Arch, out of the Danzig mare Aurora, sired multiple Grade 1 winners such as Blame (Breeders' Cup Classic victor) and Will Take Charge (Clark Handicap and Whitney Stakes winner), underscoring the depth in Playa Maya's female line.[19] Uncle Mo's extended pedigree features inbreeding to the influential Northern Dancer (Can) at 4x5, with additional crosses in the fifth generation, providing a foundation for both explosive early speed and underlying stamina.[20][21] Influences from the Mr. Prospector line appear through Raise a Native branches in the tail-female, enhancing precocity, while Secretariat's Bold Ruler lineage filters in via Roberto on the dam side, contributing to classic potential and durability.[22][23] The dam's family highlights the productive Arch line, with Playa Maya being the sole foal of her dam Dixie Slippers (by Dixieland Band), yet drawing from a broader lineage that has produced high-class runners like the Grade 1-placed Vatican and the stakes-winning Protonico, demonstrating the sire's ability to elevate unraced daughters into elite producers.[24][25]| Generation | Sire Line | Dam Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Self) | Uncle Mo (2008, b.c. by Indian Charlie) | |
| 2 | Indian Charlie (1995, b.h. by In Excess (Ire)) | Playa Maya (2000, dkb/br.m. by Arch) |
| 3 | In Excess (Ire) (1987, dkb/br.h. by Siberian Express) | Arch (1995, dkb/br.h. by Kris S) Dixie Slippers (1995, dkb/br.m. by Dixieland Band) |
| 4 | Siberian Express (1981, gr.h. by Caro (Ire)) Kantado (1976, b.m. by Saulingo) | Kris S (1977, dkb/br.h. by Roberto) Aurora (1988, b.m. by Danzig) |
| 5 | Caro (Ire) (1967, gr.h. by Fortino (Fr)) Saulingo (1970, b.h. by Sing Sing (Fr)) | Roberto (1969, b.h. by Hail to Reason) Danzig (1977, b.h. by Northern Dancer (Can)) |
Racing Career
Two-Year-Old Season
Uncle Mo burst onto the racing scene with an impressive debut on August 28, 2010, in a six-furlong maiden special weight race at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Todd A. Pletcher and ridden by jockey John R. Velazquez, the colt broke sharply from the gate and led throughout, drawing off to win by 14¼ lengths in a time of 1:09.21 while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 102.[26][27] This dominant performance, reflective of the speed inherited from his sire Indian Charlie, immediately marked him as a top juvenile prospect.[26] Just over five weeks later, Uncle Mo stepped up to stakes company in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 9, 2010. Velazquez again guided the 1-5 favorite as he set a fast pace, completing the one-mile distance in 1:34.51 before pulling clear to win by 4¾ lengths over Mountain Town.[28][29] The victory netted $180,000 and solidified his status as the leading contender for juvenile honors, with an Equibase speed figure of 110 highlighting his precocity under Pletcher's guidance.[30] Uncle Mo concluded his undefeated two-year-old campaign in the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs on November 6, 2010. Breaking from post 7 under Velazquez, he settled off a moderate pace before surging to the lead in the stretch and winning by 4¼ lengths over Boys at Tosconova in a final time of 1:42.60.[31] The performance earned an Equibase speed figure of 116 and clinched the Eclipse Award as American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt later that year.[30] From three starts, all victories, Uncle Mo amassed $1,302,500 in earnings.[32]Three-Year-Old Season
Uncle Mo entered his three-year-old season carrying strong momentum from his undefeated juvenile campaign, which had established him as an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby.[33] He began 2011 with a victory in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12, winning by 3¾ lengths as the heavy favorite in his seasonal debut over one mile.[34] However, his form faltered in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct on April 9, where he finished third behind Toby's Corner after leading into the stretch but tiring late over 9 furlongs.[35] A gastrointestinal illness struck in late April, leading to his scratching from the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs, where he had been the second choice in the morning line.[36] The condition, later diagnosed as cholangiohepatitis—a severe inflammation of the liver and bile ducts—sidelined him for several months, prompting a cautious approach to his return.[37] After a four-month layoff, Uncle Mo resumed racing in the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on August 27, finishing a close second by a nose to Caleb's Posse in a thrilling seven-furlong sprint.[38] He rebounded in his next outing, capturing the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park on October 1 by three lengths over Jackson Bend in a commanding performance at one mile.[7] Uncle Mo's campaign concluded with a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on November 5.[33] On November 10, connections announced his retirement due to ongoing health concerns related to the liver ailment, ending the season with five starts, two wins, one second, and one third while earning $303,500.Race Record
Uncle Mo's racing career consisted of 8 starts on dirt, resulting in a record of 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third, with total earnings of $1,606,000.[1] He remained undefeated in his three races as a two-year-old, earning him the title of American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 2010.[9] Uncle Mo was also entered but scratched from the 2011 Kentucky Derby due to illness.| Date | Track | Race | Distance | Finish | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/28/2010 | Saratoga | Maiden Special Weight | 6 furlongs | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 10/09/2010 | Belmont Park | Champagne Stakes (G1) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 11/06/2010 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) | 1 1/16 miles | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 03/12/2011 | Gulfstream Park | Timely Writer Stakes (L) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 04/09/2011 | Aqueduct | Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) | 1 1/8 miles | 3rd | J. R. Velazquez |
| 08/27/2011 | Saratoga | King's Bishop Stakes (G1) | 7 furlongs | 2nd | J. R. Velazquez |
| 10/01/2011 | Belmont Park | Kelso Handicap (G2) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 11/05/2011 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | 1 1/4 miles | 10th | J. R. Velazquez |
