Nolen Racing’s first-crop Americain colt impressed clockers at the Cranbourne breeze-ups in advance of the Inglis Ready2Race Sale.

Catalogued as Lot 135 for the October 4 auction, he scooted over 200m in 10.72s.  “He’s a nice horse,” Benalla-based vendor Tal Nolen said.  “Jye McNeil was aboard and was very happy with the way he felt.

“I like Americain.  I’ve broken-in a few of the first ones and they’re good types.”

Nolen pin-hooked his colt for $40,000 out of the Inglis Classic yearling sale in February and he’s bred to get over ground.  First-dam Year Of The Cat (Tale Of The Cat) won over 2100m at Avondale and second dam Luskin Lady (Dedicated Rullah) won a Group 3 at 2600m in New Zealand.

The Americain – Zadiamond colt (Lot 137) was a tick slower in 10.91s at Cranbourne.  He was pin-hooked by Frankie Stockdale for $60,000 at the Melbourne Premier yearling sale in March when offered (as agent) by Americain’s part-owners Kevin and Colleen Bamford.

Americain (USA) shuttles from Swettenham Stud to Calumet Farm and his first Kentucky-bred starter Folk Magic won by three lengths on debut at Woodbine last month.

American Deluxe looks another early winner following an encouraging second on debut at Belmont Park last Saturday.  Racing over 1600m on turf, she was bumped on barrier rise and sat three-wide with the tail-enders before finishing resolutely behind the winner Ticonderoga (Tapit).

Calumet Farm owner Brad Kelley bred and retained American Deluxe.  She’s trained by Jim Jerkins who also prepped her half-brother V. E. Day to a Group 1 victory in the 2014 Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

Americain (Dynaformer) had 40 foals in his first-crop at Calumet and another 115 later the same year at Swettenham.  He is currently covering his fourth southern book at Nagambie for a $13,750 (inc gst) fee.

CRANBOURNE BREEZE
Americain – Zadiamond colt catalogued as Lot 137 for Inglis Ready2Race Sale