Johnny Murtagh has revealed Take Charge Star could be doubly-entered for the Breeders’ Cup after his dominant display in Kentucky.
The Starspangledbanner colt has progressed on RPR’s with each run of his nine-raced career. Little went right for him in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but he belied his odds when a neck second in the Jersey Stakes.
Returning from 50 days off, he dropped in trip to finish a length fourth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. Murtagh travelled him over to Kentucky for the Mint Franklin-Simpson Stakes, sent off a strong favourite. He was given a typical Jamie Spence ride, displaying a strong turn of foot to come from the rear.
Johnny Murtagh, who was a three time winner at the Breeders’ Cup as a jockey, told At The Races: “He’d been running well in the good races over here. But in all fairness to the owners they were keen to get him qualified for the Breeders’ Cup.
“The Breeders’ Cup is in Keeneland, the owners are from Kentucky and said to run him in that. We had him in two races, over a mile and six-and-a-half furlongs. And I came away from France thinking he’d really sharpened up.
“It was a great win. The European turf horses are very strong. We’d been beaten a length in a Group One so when he went over there he was a heavy favourite. But he had to travel and it was a unique track. In saying that it was a bit more European than some over there.
“It’s a home game for the owners so that’s the dream” – Johnny Murtagh
Both Take Charge Star’s Sire and dam-sire failed to succeed in their Breeders’ Cup quests. His half-sister, Albigna, also failed when fourth in the 2019 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.
Murtagh will be hoping his star colt can break the family mould, stating: “The plan now is to get him ready for the Breeders’ Cup. He’ll have entries in Mile and the five-and-a-half Turf Sprint. It’s a home game for the owners so that’s the dream – it doesn’t always happen when you buy a yearling!
“This horse has been remarkable for them though. They wanted a runner in the Irish Guineas. They went to Royal Ascot for the first time. They’ve been to Deauville and to go to Kentucky and do what he did was the icing on the cake.
“I read he got a ‘Jamie Spencer special’. Well they aren’t good for the heart but it looks good when it comes off!”