While he won't be returning to Australia this spring, Uncle Mo's star continues to shine brightly in North America where his undefeated son Nyquist soared to new heights before 167,227 fans in the142nd running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday.
Ridden by Mario Gutierrez for trainer Doug O'Neill, Nyquist turned back the challenge of Exaggerator to win by one and a quarter length.
O'Neill and Mario Gutierrez teamed up to win the Derby four years ago with I'll Have Another who, like Nyquist, is owned by J. Paul Reddam.
After jumping well from his outside barrier Nyquist settled just off the pace set by
He was allowed to drift out wide on the turn when making his challenge and comfortably held the challenge of the fast finishing Exaggerator with Gun Runner holding down third a further three and three-quarter lengths back.
Last year's Eclipse winning two-year-old, Nyquist joins the former Darley shuttler Street Sense (USA) to win both the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and Kentucky Derby.
In the winners stall in all eight races, Nyquist takes his earning to more than $4.5 million.
"He's just a special horse," O'Neill told The Blood-Horse.
"Lava Man is unbelievable and I'll Have Another is unbelievable but this is the best horse I've been around.
"This horse is so strong and does everything so easy, and he's just never tired. It doesn't seem like we've ever really gotten to the bottom of him."
Bred in Kentucky by Summerhill Farm, Nyquist is a three-time veteran of the sales ring making $180,000 as a weanling, $230,000 as a yearling and $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-year-old in training sale when purchased by Doug O'Neill's brother Dennis.
He is the first winner for well-bred Seeking Gabrielle, a half-sister by Forestry to Grade III winner Seeking the Sky, the dam of Grade I winner Sahara Sky.