John L Sullivan (IRE)

Overview

Why did we purchase John L Sullivan?

We carefully selected John L Sullivan because of his promising pedigree and untapped potential. Originally purchased as a foal for €52,000 and later acquired for €70,000 as a yearling for the esteemed Coolmore operation, his true capabilities were overlooked. A trusted connection in Ireland recommended him to Steven Kelly, and we have since purchased him privately. Conversations with Oisin Orr, who has ridden him in his two previous starts, confirmed the unanimous belief of Paul McIvor, Steven Kelly, and Lucinda that John L Sullivan is poised for victory in his next outing. Notably, he possesses the versatility to transition to hurdling post-summer, broadening our options. A valuation of over £20,000 by a reputable consultant underscores his worth, exceeding our initial budget. Furthermore, Lucinda's expert supervision over John and his prior gelding perfectly align with our criteria. With Steven's extensive prior experience with him, John L Sullivan emerges as a value play with substantial potential for success.

Pedigree

John is by Ten Sovereigns (No Nay Never (USA)), who was the 3rd top-rated 2-year-old colt in Europe in 2018 and the 2nd top-rated 2-year-old colt in Ireland in 2018, having won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes in Newmarket and the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh. At 3-years-old, Ten Sovereigns was the champion 3-year-old sprinter in Europe in 2019 and the joint champion 3-year-old colt in England and Ireland in 2019, having won the Group 1 July Cup in Newmarket, beating the likes of Advertise (GB), and finishing fourth in the Group 1 Ascot Commonwealth Cup. John is out of Rip Van Music, an unraced dam, who is out of Danehill Music, who has produced 2 winners from 3 runners: Seussical, whose optimum trip was over 1m 2 and 1/2f with a peak rating of 111 OR winning a Class 2 at York on his final start for Luca Cumani, and Music Seeker, whose optimum trip was over 1m for James Eustace. Ten Sovereigns, a 6-furlong speed horse crossed with a Rip Van Winkle dam, brings in the stamina angle and is the pedigree make-up we are after. John has the scope to go hurdling in the autumn, and staying a mile on the flat suggests he will be able to handle a trip similar to that of Rory The Cat this past season. Half-brother to John L Sullivan, Monteria (IRE) (2018 gelding by Mehmas (IRE)) won 2 races at 5 years old, 2023 and £16,291 and placed 3 times. Under 2nd dam, Fancy (IRE), dam of Fancy Man (IRE), won 5 races at 2 to 6 years, 2023/24 at home and in Australia, and £206,935 including the Queensland Cup (Listed Race), and placed 8 times.

Form

Like a lot of 2- and 3-year-olds, form pre- and post-gelding can be polar opposites, and that has been the case with John, so I am happy to put a line through his first two runs. Gelded in March of this year, he finished 5th at Doncaster when he wasn't fully fit before reappearing at Wetherby a month later, on April 28th, where he finished 2nd of 15. He finished 4 and 1/4 lengths behind Good Morning Alex, who has won 5 times and finished 3rd from 11 runs. Good Morning Alex won next time out to make it three wins from his last four runs, winning easily at Hamilton by 5 lengths. John didn't jump well out of the stalls and was given a quiet ride to keep him unexposed. He was receiving 1lb from Good Morning Alex that day at Wetherby, who now has a BHA rating of 67 (a 9lb swing in our favour were they to meet again). The fourth in the race, Havana Prince (beaten 2 and 3/4 lengths by John L Sullivan), won next time out in a 12-runner handicap at Ripon (10th May 2024), beating Blufferonthebus by 4 and 1/4 lengths, who won the time prior at Pontefract (22nd April 2024), and beating On The Bubble by 4 and 1/2 lengths, who also won the time prior in a 12-runner handicap at Redcar by 3 and 3/4 lengths (2nd May 2024).

The plan for John L Sullivan

John L Sullivan's performance in the recent Wetherby race shows that he is improving, and with a favourable handicap mark, he should have a strong showing next time out after being given some quiet rides. We're eyeing a race in four weeks to kick-start John’s Claymore Racing career, followed by a consistent, competitive summer campaign. In the autumn, we'll evaluate our progress and decide whether to take him hurdling, offering his owners plenty of exciting race days both on the flat and over jumps.