NEWS
Primal Force named Broodmare of the Year
Posted: Wednesday, April 18, 2001
Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm's Primal Force, the dam of Canadian classic and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Awesome Again and Eclipse Award winner Macho Uno, has been named broodmare of the year for 2000 by the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.Bred in Kentucky by Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Firestone, the 14-year-old daughter of Blushing Groom (Fr) out of Prime Prospect, by Mr. Prospector, has produced six foals, although three died before they ever made it to the racetrack. The three that did make it to the races have made an impression—winning a pair of Breeders' Cup races.
Macho Uno, a colt by Holy Bull campaigned by Stronach Stable, won 3-of-4 starts last season, including a season-ending victory over Point Given in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs.
Trained by Joe Orseno, Macho Uno also won the Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes (Can-G1) at Woodbine and was third in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. Currently on the sidelines due to problems with his left hind ankle, Macho Uno has earnings of $768,803.
Primal Force's second foal was Awesome Again, winner of the 1997 Queen's Plate Stakes who eventually stamped himself as one of the best handicap runners in North America during his four-year-old season in '98. The son of Deputy Minister was 6-for-6 during that campaign, including victories in the Breeders' Cup Classic and the Whitney (G1), Stephen Foster (G2), and Saratoga Breeders' Cup (G2) Handicaps for Stronach Stable and trainer Patrick Byrne.
Awesome Again, who currently stands at Adena Springs Kentucky near Midway, Kentucky, for $50,000, retired with a record of 9-0-2 in 12 starts for $4,374,590 in earnings.
Three foals that were born between Awesome Again and Macho Uno died, including Awesome Bull, a full brother to Macho Uno that was born in 1996 but died during his three-year-old season. Foals by Storm Cat and Devil's Bag, born in 1995 and '97, respectively, also died.
Primal Force's first foal was All Primed, a filly by Alwuhush that was 4-5-3 in 32 career starts for $54,976 in earnings. She is also the dam of an unraced two-year-old Siphon (Brz) filly named Just Awesome and an yearling Touch Gold filly.
The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders also announced other award winners who will be honored during a luncheon on April 25 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington.
The honorees include Adena Springs (P. A. B. Widener Award Trophy for accomplishments in breeding), Dr. Benjamin Roach (Coman Humanitarian Award), Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey (Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund leading owner), Overbrook Farm (KTDF breeder), and D. Wayne Lukas (KTDF leading trainer).
Carlos Perez, the breeder of 2000 champion sprinter and Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) champion Kona Gold, will be honored with the 2000 Hardboot Breeder award, recognizing the success of small breeders. Perez owns Twilite Farm near LaGrange, Kentucky.
Storm Cat (KTDF leading sire) and Captain Steve (KTDF leading earner) will also be honored.
The champion Kentucky-breds of 2000 are Caressing (two-year-old filly), Macho Uno (two-year-old colt), Fusaichi Pegasus (three-year-old colt), Surfside (three-year-old filly), Heritage of Gold (handicap mare), Lemon Drop Kid (handicap horse), Perfect Sting (female turf), John's Call (male turf), Kona Gold (sprinter), Giant's Causeway (Kentucky-bred racing abroad), and Flat Top (steeplechase).—Tom Law
