CACIQUE EXTENDS HASILI'S INFLUENCE
Racing against the best runners in Europe, Cacique was a Group 2
winner and finished second in two Group 1 races, but was always in
the shadow of his contemporary Bago, who was an undefeated champion
at 2 and champion at 3 when he captured the Prix de l'Arc de
Triomphe. But like his siblings, Cacique has turned into a
potential grass champion since his importation to this country.
Cacique became a Grade 1 winner in June when he won the Manhattan
Handicap over Relaxed Gesture, Grey Swallow, and English Channel,
but his victory last weekend in the Man o' War Stakes was his most
impressive performance yet and augurs well for his chances in this
year's Breeders' Cup Turf at 1 1/2 miles, a distance that was
originally thought to be too far for him. The same thing was said
of Intercontinental before she stretched out to win last year's
Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at 1 1/4 miles.
Cacique is the latest powerhouse from the outstanding broodmare
Hasili, who has been a modern-day La Troienne, the greatest
broodmare in the history of the sport. Hasili, a foal of 1991, is
by Kahyasi, winner of the 1988 Epsom and Irish Derbies, and is out
of Kerali (High Line), who won only 1 of 4 starts yet became the
foundation mare for a new dynasty. In addition to Hasili, Kerali
also produced the unraced Dissemble, the dam of last year's
champion turf male, Leroidesanimaux. Another daughter of Kerali,
stakes-placed Skiable, is the dam of Three Valleys, champion
2-year-old colt in England and a stakes winner in this country.
But Hasili has been the queen of this sensational female line and
her offspring have had unusual success in the Breeders' Cup since
2000. Bred repeatedly to the late great Danehill, she produced
Grade 1 winners Dansili, Banks Hill, Intercontinental, and Cacique.
She also produced Grade 1 winner Heat Haze to the cover of Green
Desert. Her last foal by Danehill is 3-year-old winner Champs
Elysees, who was second in this year's Group 3 Prix Daphnis. Hasili
also has a yearling colt by Sadler's Wells and was barren this
year. She is currently in foal to Storm Cat.
Dansili was a champion older male in England and France and began
the Hasili legacy in the Breeders' Cup when he finished fastest of
all in the 2000 BC Mile, just a neck and a nose behind War Chant
and North East Bound.
Banks Hill won 5 of 15 starts and was a champion 3-year-old filly
and older female in England and France, and a champion turf female
in the U.S. when she won the 2001 BC Filly and Mare Turf. She also
finished second in the 2002 BC Filly and Mare Turf behind
stablemate Starine. Banks Hill foaled a filly by Empire Maker this
year and was bred back to Storm Cat.
Mostly kept to distances of one mile, Intercontinental was the
champion turf female last year when she won the BC Filly and Mare
Turf. Winner of 13 of 22 starts, her victories also include the
Grade 1 Matriarch Stakes. She also finished third in the English
1000 Guineas as a 3-year-old. Intercontinental was bred to Empire
Maker this year.
Heat Haze won 7 of 14 starts, including the Grade 1 Beverly D. and
Matriarch stakes. She finished fourth in the 2003 BC Filly and Mare
Turf, beaten a nose, 2 1/2 lengths, and a nose behind Islington,
L'Ancresse, and Yesterday. Heat Haze produced a filly by Empire
Maker this year and was bred back to the 2003 Belmont Stakes
winner.
Hasili has already had a remarkable influence on the Breeders' Cup
and Cacique's presence in the BC Turf only adds to her legacy.
Date:
15 September 2006