Adeera a very sharp first winner for Horse of the Year Authentic

Spendthrift Farm’s Horse of the Year Authentic sired his first winner on Friday, May 31, when the 2-year-old filly Adeera rolled to a 3 ¾-length victory in a $116,625 maiden special weight over 5 ½-furlongs at Churchill Downs.

Adeera, who was making her racing debut for owners L and N Racing LLC and Jerry Caroom, broke very sharply and took a narrow lead over Salted through the first quarter-mile in :23.01. Adeera maintained her narrow advantage around the turn and into the stretch, when she shook free of her rival. Kept to task down the stretch, Adeera pulled away impressively to stop the timer in 1:04.95 on a fast main track.

Trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by his son Keith, Adeera earned $69,000 in victory. The bay filly was bred in Kentucky by Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC and sold to her owners for $300,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Adeera is the latest foal out of Majestic Presence, whose offspring include Santa Anita H. (G1) winner Newgate and Beaumont S. (G2) winner Denim and Pearls.

Authentic, a son of Spendthrift’s champion sire Into Mischief, dominated the racing scene during his 2020 Horse of the Year campaign. He won the Sham S. (G3), San Felipe S. (G2), Haskell S. (G1), Kentucky Derby (G1) and finally the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Authentic retired with six wins and a pair of seconds in eight starts, with earnings of $7,201,200.

Authentic is represented by his first 2-year-olds in the auction ring this year, including the colt Verifire, who brought $1 million at the OBS March sale. For more information on Authentic, who stands for $50,000 live foal visit www.spendthriftfarm.com.