The Padre improved his record to an impressive 3-1-0 in four career starts and became a Graded Stakes winner for the first time when he charged to a one-length victory in the $300,000 G2 Del Mar Derby on Sunday, 31 August.
The victory by the three-year-old son of Ghaiyyath was his third in four starts – his only loss coming by just a half-length in his stateside debut. Prior to his start in the G2 Del Mar Derby, The Padre had captured the Listed La Jolla Handicap over the same turf course on 3 August.
A compact field of five went to the post in the Del Mar Derby, and at the start it was Freedom’s Not Free that went to the front to set the pace. The son of Omaha Beach did just that, controlling the action by setting dawdling fractions of :25 flat for an opening quarter and covering the half-mile in :49.67. Geometry raced in second, with The Padre tracking from third.
Positions were unchanged for most of the race until they hit the far turn and the tempo quickened for the homeward charge. With Geometry racing on the outside of the longtime leader, The Padre had to close from the far outside to run down Freedom's Not Free in a final time of 1:49.23. Game Warrior closed late on the scene to claim third.
Bred in Ireland by John Halley, The Padre is out of the Lomitas mare Shalanaya, the winner of the G1 Prix de l’Opera in 2009. Shalanaya has now produced seven winners and has a yearling colt by Ghaiyyath.
The Padre is one of several exciting horses for Ghaiyyath, which include My Highness, winner of the G2 Prix du Calvados, Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes winner Opera Ballo, and Classic-placed filly Mandanaba.
