From Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm
SOLVANG, Calif. (July 12, 2024) — Graded stakes winner Henry Adams (IRE) will stand his first season at California’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm, alongside Nick Alexander’s venerable Grazen.
“I asked (international bloodstock consultant) Hubie de Burgh to find us a prospect that would add something to the California bloodstock community,” said Eclipse owner Mike Scully. “After a few months he came up with Henry.”
Scully said de Burgh felt strongly about the colt’s class, all-surface pedigree and conformation. “He was just stunning coming off the trailer, and he’ll look even better when he gets a little weight on him. He’s got a really nice way about him, a good mind,” he added.
Bred and trained by Aidan O’Brien for the ownership trio of Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor, the 2021 No Nay Never colt won his first two starts at two, including the Japan Racing Association’s Tyro Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown.
Commenting on that race, O’Brien said, “It was a very good performance…he’s a fine big, relaxed horse. Ryan (Moore, his jockey) says he’s a baby still.”
The third start of his juvenile campaign was against a formidable field of ten in the 2023 Qatar Prix Jean Luc Lagardere Criterium (GI) at Paris Longchamp. The colt went to straight to the lead and held it, tiring in the final furlong but holding for a game fourth by 3 ½ lengths. The 7-furlong test included winner Rosallion (IRE), and runner-up Unquestionable (IRE), who went on to win the 2023 Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).
In his final start at two, the colt stumbled then rallied late for fourth in another Group 1 test, the £500,000 Dewhurst Stakes, Britain’s most prestigious race for two-year-olds. No one could argue that the company wasn’t top tier, considering the race was won by the dazzling City of Troy.
The big colt finished fifth in his next and final start in the Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes at Curragh, drawing a close to what had been a promising race career. Soon after, deBurgh identified him as a stallion prospect for Scully, and after brokering a deal with Coolmore, shipped him to California in late June.
O’Brien was thrilled to see the colt heading stateside for his new career. “Having bred Henry Adams it gives me great joy that this colt gave his connections great days at Group level. Big, wide and strong in stature, this colt has the ability to produce everything needed for his progeny to excel on the American racetracks.”
Henry Adam’s sire, No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), stands for EUR 150,000 and is one of Europe’s leading sires. His first five sires; Scat Daddy, Johannesburg, Hennessy, Storm Cat and Storm Bird, were all G1 winning two-year-olds. Entering stud at Coolmore Ireland in 2015, he’s since sired over 450 winners including 62 Group/Stakes winners worldwide.
The 16.2 hh colt also hails from a strong female family including his dam Jigsaw (IRE) by the great Galileo (IRE). She is a full sister to G2 and G3 winner Mohawk (IRE). Both are out of the G3 winner Empowering (IRE). The third dam is the Listed Prix Imprudence winner and G1 placed Blue Cloud (IRE).
Scully said Henry Adam’s 2025 fee will be determined in the near future.