Ohio’s own Bruce Ryan showed off his breeding mastery on Saturday as not one but TWO horses he bred captured key 3 year old Stake preps! OK, maybe one was a little more important than the other…but both were thrilling victories in their own right!
At Mahoning Valley, he bred and owned Country Club Bobby who scored a front running victory in the $75,000 Howard B. Noonan Stakes in the “racehorse” time of 1:11:42. Trained by Jeff Radosevich and ridden by Sonny Leon, Country Club Bobby defeated 22-1 shot Mr. Loooch by 3 3/4 lengths. Race favorite Hip Hip Hooray checked in another 1 3/4 lengths back in third.
CCB is by Shanghai Bobby out of the Tenpins mare Country Club Sue.
A few hours later, Ryan-bred Taiba scored a stunning upset in the $750,000 Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby! Running for new trainer Tim Yakteen, Taiba, under jockey Mike Smith, stamped his ticket to the KY Derby for owner Zedan Racing Stables (of Medina Spirit fame). Please check out the great stories in both TDN and the Bloodhorse on this thrilling victory and the interesting back stories on all the participants.
Taiba was bred by Ryan in Kentucky. The chestnut colt is by Gun Runner out of the Flatter mare, Needmore Flattery – a mare well known to all racing fans in Ohio for her tremendous success on the racetrack where she was a two time Ohio Horse of the Year.
Taiba’s half brother, Need More Mo, is a 2022 freshman sire now standing in Ohio at Poplar Creek Horse Center. Both colts are the only U.S. foals out of Needmore Flattery.
Taiba Photo Courtesy of Benoit Photo
Congratulations to the Ryans and all connections of Saturday’s stake winners.
Ohio Racing Fans now have a “hometown” interest in the Kentucky Derby. Best wishes from all of us for another victory on the First Saturday in May!!!
