A ‘TDN Rising Star’ 1-2 In the 3YO Male Division

[Wandering Eyes]

'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) put it all together when it mattered most in 2024, taking advantage of a fast pace to whistle home in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 2. His defeat of 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness and top Japanese runner Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) tilted the scales in his direction and in the end, he was named a convincing winner of the 3-year-old male Eclipse Award.

Second, beaten just a nose after lugging in repeatedly down the stretch as fellow 'Rising Star' and favored Fierceness (City of Light) faded to 15th on the first Saturday in May, Sierra Leone got going a little too late and had to settle for third as the favorite while finishing in a field-best :25.40 five weeks later in the GI Belmont Stakes.
He made two more starts at the Spa and was favored again in both, finishing a strong second in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes and third in a GI Travers Stakes for the ages, both won by Fierceness. He defeated that rival by 1 1/2 lengths in the Classic, good for a career-best 112 Beyer Speed Figure.

Sierra Leone, a $2.3-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale topper and future Coolmore stallion, is campaigned in partnership by the powerhouse line-up of Peter Brant, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg and Brook T. Smith.

Sierra Leone is one of 10 Grade I winners worldwide for Gun Runner. He is the second champion for the leading young sire, who also claims the ill-fated 2021 champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu. He is the second foal out of GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes heroine Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon).

Sierra Leone has remained in training for a 4-year-old campaign, and is being aimed at the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup Feb. 22.

The post A ‘TDN Rising Star’ 1-2 In the 3YO Male Division appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article