Popular Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt can’t believe his luck in having an American Pharoah (USA) in his stable with leggy gelding Buck Pharoah opening his account at his home track on Thursday.
Luckless when finishing second at his first two runs, Buck Pharoah again raced without a lot of favour having to travel deep all the way and take on older rivals, but the experience gained in his previous outings came into play and he prevailed to win the 1000m maiden by the best part of a length.
“He still hasn’t switched on yet, he’s just running on raw ability.
“I bought him as a mile, 2000m horse so what he’s done so far is a bonus.”
Godbolt bought Buck Pharoah for just $33,000 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from the Highgrove Stud draft and has been delighted with his purchase.
Buck Pharoah is a half-brother to stakes-winner Excitable Boy and is the fifth winner from Sequential, a half-sister by Lion Hunter to stakes-winners Order of the Sun, Beauty and Get to Work as well as to the dam of Group I winner Summer Passage.
Buck Pharoah is the second Australian winner for Coolmore’s Triple Crown hero American Pharoah, who has sired Group I winners in three different countries in the Northern Hemisphere with his oldest Australian progeny just two year-olds.