Show Name: 2021 AJC Championship Series Final
Show Dates: October 9, 2021
Entries Close: October 6, 2021
The 2021 AJC Championship Final day dawned gray and mostly cloudy with orange slivers peeking through cloud breaks over the sprawling farmland of C&H Ranch, with the promise of almost tangible excitement and memories not soon forgotten. Smells of fresh ground coffee, pan-fried bacon, and fresh baked walnut cinnamon rolls wafted through the stable yards and grandstands. The morning was brisk, with the chance of scattered drizzle but the promise of a balmy mid-70’s as the day wore on. A light breeze rippled the colored flags of each contestant’s stables and the leg wraps drying on the fence lines. The overall feel was celebratory – today the best racers in the AJC determine who takes home the coveted titles of Series Final champions! While the waiting athletes crunched their pre-race oats and track preparations were being finalized, spectators were entertained by the activity in the in-field arena. Now a tradition, race-goers were treated to a comical costume contest among driven or ridden C&H horses; a laugh-inducing skit of tiny 10.2hh silver black tobiano Half-Arabian mare Allfredda RPF+++ and hairy 15hh black tobiano Half-Arabian HOF Moufasa CH++++/ performing in a carriage driving obstacle course, but mirroring each other’s movements. Now retired from the track *Jolly Guacamole CH++ modeled the AJC Final commemorative blanket as a fundraiser for The Committee, and finally a grand exhibit of some of C&H’s finest stallions at liberty in the arena.
At last the track was groomed and the time came for the first race the day. The BHV races are held as a precursor to the Final races. We look forward to more and more entries in the BHV races each year as the program is utilized! The newly improved BHV racecard seems to be a hit. Thank you to everyone who takes advantage of the BHV program!
1. BHV PR Season Premiere Allowance: 7 furlongs over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $200,000 (0 entries)
2. BHV MYS After The Storm UNG Stakes: 1.25 miles over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $200,000 (4 entries)
WIN . Midnight Mayham CKS – Amanda
PLACE . Kitty Hawk CKS – Chay
SHOW . GI Faaip De Oiad – Odeon
4. ETM Alrriah Alssahrawia – Odeon
3. BHV OTS Miss Pretender G3 Sprint: 5.5 furlongs over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $400,000 (2 entries)
WIN . GI The Comedian – Odeon
PLACE . WA Carrera : CW
4. BHV DS Torchlight Cup G3: 7 furlongs over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $400,000 (4 entries)
WIN . Beyond Magnetic CH – C&H Ranch
PLACE . GI Sycorax – Odeon
SHOW . Miuccia DE – Amanda
4. Shahira Simeon CKS – Amanda
5. BHV Triton BM Sprint G2: 6 furlongs over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $600,000 (5 entries)
WIN . Peregrina DE – Amanda
PLACE . Parnassia CH – Chay
SHOW . Gunslinger Deku – Chay
4. Aeosphorus DE – Odeon
5. ETM Jammals Azeer – Eagle Talon Garbh
6. BHV Magnar R Derby G2: 1 mile over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $600,000 (6 entries)
WIN . Beyberry Sandy CKS – Amanda
PLACE . ETM Poetic Divinity – Eagle Talon Commons
SHOW . Fashion Forward CH – C&H Ranch
4. MYL Narenda- Sunni
5. Azals Agenda CKS – Amanda
6. Gunslinger Ljubica – Odeon
7. BHV Gureiko PVE G1 Sprint: 6 furlongs over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $800,000 (4 entries)
WIN . GI Quantum Theory – Odeon
PLACE . Al Akbar CKS – Amanda
SHOW . Magnums French Vanilla CKS – Amanda
4. Gunslinger Mecatl – Odeon
8. BHV MYL Masdaer Trophy Stakes G1: 1.25 miles over dirt for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $800,000 (7 entries)
WIN . All Nightmare Long CH – C&H Ranch
PLACE . MV Ezdrasz+ – Jennifer
SHOW . Gunslinger Grandoureux – Odeon
4. MYS Zoteus- Sunni
5. Pomona CH : CW
6. Gunslinger Orphic – Odeon
7. ETM Deviant Dreamer – Eagle Talon Commons
1. BHV PYR Toksyczny Noc Allowance Turf: 7 furlongs over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $200,000 (1 entries)
WIN . Nunavik SFS – Chay
2. BHV Patecatl CH UNG Stakes: 1.25 miles over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $200,000 (2 entries)
WIN . Gunslinger Modestine – Odeon
PLACE . Gunslinger Anju – Odeon
3. BHV Optimus Prime CH G3 Sprint: 5.5 furlongs over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $400,000 (2 entries)
WIN . Marina Starr DE+ – Jennifer
PLACE . African Psyvah CH – C&H Ranch
4. BHV DS Bohemian Knight G3 Turf Cup: 7 furlongs over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $400,000 (3 entries)
WIN . Gunslinger Oratorio – Odeon
PLACE . CKS Dante’s Peak PASB – Amanda
SHOW . Axayacatl CH – Amanda
5. BHV Tlaloc DE Turf Sprint G2: 6 furlongs over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $600,000 (1 entries)
WIN . Wachsamkeit CH – Chay
6. BHV Coal Ghost WVF Turf Cup G2: 1 mile over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $600,000 (8 entries)
WIN . Cezary PVE : CW
PLACE . Gunslinger Aztecatl – Odeon
SHOW . Arabesque DE – Chay
4. Altivo Song CKS – Amanda
5. GI Prospero – Chay
6. ETM Underground Prayer – Eagle Talon Commons
7. MYS Satine- Sunni
8. Girl Gone Satin CKS – Amanda
7. BHV Gunslinger Odysseus G1 Sprint: 6 furlongs over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $800,000 (3 entries)
WIN . ETM Wampirzyca+ – Jennifer
PLACE . Arabesque DE – Chay
SHOW . ETM Passion Locomotive – Eagle Talon Commons
8. BHV Ehecatl CH Turf Stakes G1: 1.25 miles over turf for 3 yr old and up Open. Purse: $800,000 (7 entries)
WIN . MV Olesno+ – Jennifer
PLACE . Gunslinger Setebos – Amanda
SHOW . ETM Nadeem Avinio – Eagle Talon Commons
4. Naantali DE – Chay
5. Gunslinger Jyotis – Odeon
6. ETM Endeen Braskio – Eagle Talon Commons
7. ETM Icescene – Eagle Talon Commons
After the exciting BHV races and BHV program promotional speech had concluded, a low-murmuring hush descended upon the crowd. The afternoon wind had scooted much of the cloud cover across the prairie earlier, and the sun warmed the faces of spectators. The excitement was palpable as the track was groomed once again for the first race of the Finals. This is what everyone has been waiting for! Many of this years horses advancing to the finals were consistently top four in the previous races, which makes for an excitingly even ground for talent.
The first championship race of the day is the Princess Ida NH Oaks G1, named for the lovely mare owned and bred by Amanda of Castle Keep Stables (New Harvest Arabians). As a racehorse, she made her own bid during the AJC Champonship series, winning the *Lauyal’s Dancing Desire Oaks G1 in 2019, and several graded stakes wins in her career. With a small field of four this year, MYL Weronjia emerged as the heavy favorite for her performances this year in the AJC. Not only did she win two AJC Championship series races, but she also captured two of the three Triple Tiara races early in the year.
The mares hooves pounded the fresh track at the ring of the bell, clean and clear out of the gate. Knowing they had a mile and a quarter to run, they settled into the race, with MYS Asurah setting the pace, MYL Weronjia at her saddlecloth, and GI Memento Mori and Painted Raccoon E directly behind the two. They kept time with each other around the first turn, with MYL Weronjia sliding up to just a head behind MYS Asurah. As they entered the far turn, it was clear that MYS Asurah was tiring – she was started to fall just behind which was MYL Weronjia’s cue to make her bid to the front. This powerhouse mare gave her jockey all of the confidence, and rightfully so – but he was remiss to check behind him in that the two young horses were still fresh and raring to gain a Championship Series win. As they entered the homestretch, MYS Asurah’s jockey saw their move to the outside just in time, and enoucouraged his mount to keep her head just ahead of them. Alas, the two pace followers were just too fresh for her and halfway to the wire passed a tiring MYS Asurah. It was now an exciting battle between GI Memento Mori and Painted Raccoon E, with the two pushing the other to gain the advantage of at least a nose. As they swept under the wire, the evenly match racing pair was close, but not quite a photo finish. GI Memento Mori came out the clear winner of the first race of the day.
1. Princess Ida NH Oaks G1: 1.25 miles over dirt for 3-4 yr olds only F/M. Purse: $1,000,000 (4 entries)
WIN . GI Memento Mori – Odeon
PLACE . Painted Raccoon E – Zym
SHOW . MYL Weronjia- Sunni
4. MYS Asurah- Sunni
GI Memento Mori
(*PYR Signature X Narelle Izolda)
2018 Grey Arabian Mare
Owned by Odeon of Gunslinger Inc.
Bred by Odeon of Gunslinger Inc.
gunslingerinc.boards.net/thread/1855/2018-arabian-filly-memento-mori
The second race of the day is the Airbender LLE Stakes G1, named for the 2016 Bob Magness Derby G1 winner (third leg of the Triple Crown). He also captured the MYL Ariuath Stakes G1 as well as placed second in the Marutas CH Stakes G1 in the 2019 AJC Championship Series. Coming into this race, we had six very talented young entries. ETM Pileto had already established himself worthy of the favorite bet, having captured the last two Championship races in August and September and still looked at the top of his game. MYL Sorion was no slouch though, with a close second favorite in the betting as race-goers still remembered his impressive performance earlier this year when he captured two of the three Triple Crown races.
The young colts loaded into the gates excited, but without incident and the bell rang almost immediately after the last door closed. They were off! But what’s this, stablemates MYL Sorion and MYL Eoewr clipped each other as they were breaking free of the gate! MYL Sorion took a bad stumble into MYL Eoewr, who ricocheted off of the side of ETM Rayden’s Dark Side Of The Moon PASB. Their jockeys struggled to safely right the three and were successful, but the damage was done and they would have a lot of catching up to do to match the now frontrunners. WA McCartney liked to set the pace and settled into his routine around the first turn and into the backstretch, with ETM Dangerous Mind on the outside and ETM Piletio directly behind on the rail. They maintained their triangle until heading into the second turn, where ETM Dangerous Mind switched leads to his favored side and he took the corner while accelerating, sweeping in front of WA McCartney. ETM Piletio saw his chance and moved to the outside of WA McCartney. WA McCartney found another gear and tried to make his move around ETM Dangerous Mind but with ETM Piletio at his hindquarters it was difficult to cleanly maneuver. As they headed to the wire, all three horses dug in and pounded ahead, with ETM Dangerous Mind coming under the wire just barely a length ahead of WA McCartney, and ETM Piletio half a length behind him.
2. Airbender LLE Stakes G1: 1.25 miles over dirt for 3-4 yr olds only C/S/G. Purse: $1,000,000 (6 entries)
WIN . ETM Dangerous Mind – Eagle Talon Commons
PLACE . WA McCartney : CW
SHOW . ETM Piletio – Eagle Talon Commons
4. ETM Rayden’s Dark Side Of The Moon PASB – Eagle Talon Commons
5. MYL Eoewr- Sunni
6. MYL Sorion- Sunni
ETM Dangerous Mind
(PYR Impression Of Perfection X PYR Dangerous Delights)
2015 Chestnut Straight Egyptian Arabian Stallion
Owned by Shan of Eagle Talon Manor
Bred by Shan of Eagle Talon Manor
etltdcommons.proboards.com/thread/379/dangerous-mind-2018-chestnut-stallion
The third race was the Sparkle Pearl Oaks G1, named for Sunni’s lovely mare who made history in HF by being the first to win two of the three Triple Tiara races, and even winning her own race named after her in the 2010 AJC Championship Series Final, and is now a dam to triple tiara and championship series race winners. A larger field of eight today, Destined For Gloty ETM was on the betting favorites board for her wins in the Championship Series in 2020 and 2021. ETM Anegdociarz was also featured for her win in the 2020 Triple Tiara and a win in the 2020 Championship Series. It seemed that the betters had placed them at pretty much the same odds.
The race started fairly uneventful, with these well-behaved, veteran mares loading into the gate without incident, and breaking clean and away from each other. They settled into formation, with ETM Adoracja taking the lead early, followed by MYL Szpara and Destined For Gloty ETM, the rest behind and MYL Saenna in the rear. MYL Saenna just never fired in this race and trailed the pack the whole time. ETM Anegdociarz made a move coming into the backstretch out of the first time, gaining on MYL Szpara and pressing her for more speed as they picked up the pace. MV Babeczka also moved up, passing Eamira K who was staying just ahead of Norilsk Moon DE then making a bold move to the rail to save ground. As they rounded the turn and entered the homestretch, MYL Szpara faltered and seemed to be tiring, edging to the center of the track and taking Destined For Gloty ETM with her. MV Babeczka couldn’t believe her luck and saw her opportunity, shooting between the rail and wandering MYL Szpara, switching leads with a burst of speed to round ETM Adoracja on the outside. Destined For Gloty ETM knew she had to find a high gear to avoid being pushed too far outside and away from the race podium, and she delivered an amazing, visible burst of speed to pull ahead of tiring MYL Szpara that brought the stands to their feet. She angled back to the rail and was gaining on the valiant MV Babeczka but the wire was coming to fast – they swept under with Destined For Gloty ETM a length and a half behind winner MV Babeczka, and ETM Adoracja a close third.
3. Sparkle Pearl Oaks G1: 1.25 miles over dirt for 5 yr old and up F/M. Purse: $1,000,000 (8 entries)
WIN . MV Babeczka+/ – Jennifer
PLACE . Destined For Gloty ETM – Amanda
SHOW . ETM Adoracja – Eagle Talon Commons
4. ETM Anegdociarz++ – Jennifer
5. Eamira K – Jennifer
6. Norilsk Moon DE – Chay
7. MYL Szpara- Sunni
8. MYL Saenna- Sunni
MV Babeczka+/
(HOF Saint Nyckelles++++/ X MV Biedronka)
2015 Grey Arabian Mare
Owned by Jennifer of Mystic Valley Arabians
Bred by Jennifer of Mystic Valley Arabians
mysticvalleyarabians.boards.net/thread/61/mv-babeczka
The track was groomed for the fourth Championship race of the day, the OTS Tohfa Bint Ryad Stakes G1. This race was formerly called the Rocky Raccoon DS Stakes G1. Now named for the 2019 Ryad El Jammal Stakes G1 TURF winner who has nearly a million in earnings, and whose sire is that race’s namesake AND who also sired the 2018 Triple Crown Winner Jammel’s Butterfly NH. It runs in the family. The bettors were all over the board for this race. OTS Iced Design, Mythfire CH, and ETM Sammar Khalediah all had wins this year in the 2021 Championship Series. It doesn’t seem anyone could settle on a particular favorite.
With the age of these horses, they had substantial experience with their career and loaded into the gates and broke clean like they professionals they are. MYL Elapeiros was the pace setter, with ETM Sammar Khalediah just on his outside, Mythfire CH just on the outside of him as well, with MYL Zhowak and OTS Iced Design directly behind. They started with an easy pace, the jockeys clearly saving their mounts for the final turn and stretch excitement. They maintained their formation through the backstretch and into the final turn, rounding the corner in….the same exact formation. As they pounded into the homestretch, their paces picked up to more impressive speeds…in the same exact formation. It’s like they were trained drill team horses. They were quite a well-matched field, and that was becoming clear as neither could get the better of another, and they swept under the wire with MYL Elapeiros as the winner….in the same exact formation.
4. OTS Tohfa Bint Ryad Stakes G1: 1.25 miles over dirt for 5 yr old and up C/S/G. Purse: $1,000,000 (5 entries)
WIN . MYL Elapeiros- Sunni
PLACE . ETM Sammar Khalediah – Eagle Talon Commons
SHOW . Mythfire CH – C&H Ranch
4. MYL Zhowak- Sunni
5. OTS Iced Design – Odeon
MYL Elapeiros
(MYL Nimazair X Estancia OS)
2014 Grey Russian/Polish Arabian Stallion
Owned by Sunni of Mystic Visions
Bred by Sunni of Mystic Visions
fisalyn.com/MVS/horsepage.php?id=1051
The fifth championship race of the day, and first for turf, is the Jammels Butterfly NH Stakes G1. Named for the amazing Anglo-Arabian stallion owned by Amanda, he was the 2018 Triple Crown Champion, as well many notable G1 races and millions in earnings. There were several well-known AJC names featured in this race and several even have AJC races named after them, but Gunslinger Mnemosyne emerged as the favorite for her two wins in this year’s series.
The post parade was pretty standard, with these pretty princesses daintily loading into the gates like the professionals they are. There was no interference on the break, and they vied for positions to the first turn at a brisk pace, faster than the previous races they ran. These mares had all raced each other several times before and were familiar with each other’s patterns. Paradise Magic CKS pressed Gunslinger Mnemosyne for first, with ETM Calin Moon and MYL Paua Pearl close behind. They pounded through the turn and changed leads for their backstrech bid, with inside rail horse Gunslinger Mnemosyne gaining the advantage of less track, but losing a little bit of ground to Paradise Magic CKS on the straight-away. They looked strong coming into the final turn, but suddenly Gunslinger Mnemosyne faltered. Her jockey worked to steady her, but she was tiring quickly and the pressure was proving too much for her and she slowly fell behind but valiantly rallied to maintain third. Seeing this, ETM Calin Moon and MYL Paua Pearl took advantaged of the open track and out of the turn challenged each other in a flat-out match race to the finish line. These mares turned on speed that their trainers later said they hadn’t seen before – they pounded to the finish line neck and neck, visibly leaving the rest of the pack behind. The stands rose to their feet, hands in the air, and screamed when the “PHOTO FINISH” words flashed on the board. Seconds felt like minutes as everyone held their breath waiting for the racing stewards final word – and when it came, everyone remembered the legendary Sparkle Pearl, whose talented daughter MYL Paua Pearl ran a race in 2021 to rival her champion mother’s talent, now becoming a champion in the Series Final herself.
5. Jammels Butterfly NH Stakes G1: 1 mile over turf for 3 yr olds and up F/M. Purse: $1,000,000 (7 entries)
WIN . MYL Paua Pearl- Sunni
PLACE . ETM Calin Moon – Eagle Talon Commons
SHOW . Gunslinger Mnemosyne – Odeon
4. Paradise Magic CKS – Eagle Talon Commons
5. MYL Daenesys – Sunni
6. Princess Ida NH – Amanda
7. Gunslinger Elation – Zym
MYL Paua Pearl
(Altissimo X Sparkle Pearl+/)
2013 Grey Domestic Arabian Mare
Owned by Sunni of Mystic Visions
Bred by Sunni of Mystic Visions
fisalyn.com/MVS/horsepage.php?id=1542
The final race of the day brought us to the Marutas CH Stakes G1. Named for the 7-time stakes winner who secured 5 AJC Year End Awards including 2008 AJC Year End Awards AJC HORSE OF THE YEAR CHAMPION, and later became a 5-time AHA National Champion, the Marutas CH Stakes GI is a flagship championship for turf racers, especially after his own son, the great Triple Crown Winner Ehecatl CH, secured it in his race record THREE times.
Judaean Dream DE was remembered by the bettors for his third in this very race last year, as well as his two wins in the Turf Triple Crown in 2020 as well. But 2020 was not now, and they placed MV Andrychow as a weak favorite for his win in the September Championship Series race, with Judaean Dream DE as second. ETM Blackfire was remember for his place in the 2018 Rocky Raccoon DS Stakes G1 at the Championship Final, and his switch to turf has seemed to be good for him.
It was clear the boys were amped up and raring to go, which made for loading delays at the gate. Eventually the ground crew got them sorted and the starter released them with the clang of the bell. The field of eight was thunderous as they pounded the turf together as one, vying for their positions in the pack. They settled into pace before the first turn, with MYS Maxar and ETM Blackfire outpacing each other in the front and Judaean Dream DE hanging being the leaders, along with MYS Caldyn. Zetes DE brought up the pack closely on their heels. As they rounded the first turn and headed into the backstretch, the spectators could visibly see their pace increase – they were now pushing each other harder already and switching positions fast enough that the announcer couldn’t keep up with the updates. KS Haughty pulled up on the rail in a squeeze next to MV Andrychow, who angrily responded to being passed. His jockey sawed on the bit to get him to focus on the race instead of the fact of being passed, but at the same time MV Baelyx pulled up eye-level on the outside, which was too much for MV Andrychow. He threw a righteous tantrum at being passed, which spooked Judaean Dream DE into nearly careening into MYS Caldyn, who said OH HELL NO and found a new gear as they prepared for the second turn, taking a bold chance and squeezing through the two front runners. With open track ahead, MYS Caldyn pricked his ears and set a blistering pace. ETM Blackfire answered the challenge, pressing forward of tiring MYS Maxar, who decidedly wasn’t up to the shenanigans going on around him. They rounded the turn and pounded down the homestretch, MYS Caldyn’s jockey hoping against hopes that the championship title was theirs. A roar rose to a deafening decibel as the stands rose to their feet, but it wasn’t for the front runner – out of nowhere, a grey streak took his chance on the outside and was flying down the homestretch, passing the others as is they were standing still. The courage and speed of Zetes DE! It was amazing to behold! His momentum seemed to just keep increasing as he reached the third, then second, then first horse, blasting past a stunned MYS Caldyn who was giving his all. They swept under the wire, Zetes DE from completely behind the pack to winner in just the corner and homestretch!
6. Marutas CH Stakes G1: 1 mile over turf for 3 yr olds and up C/S/G. Purse: $1,000,000 (8 entries)
WIN . Zetes DE – Chay
PLACE . MYS Caldyn- Sunni
SHOW . ETM Blackfire – Eagle Talon Commons
4. MYL Baelyx – Jennifer
5. MYS Maxar- Sunni
6. KS Haughty – Amanda
7. Judaean Dream DE – Amanda
8. MV Andrychow+ – Jennifer
Zetes DE
(LL Apoloniusz x OWA Zynfandel)
2016 Grey Arabian Stallion
Owned by Chay of Snowforest Stables
Bred by Chay of Datura Estates
snowforeststables.proboards.com/thread/38/zetes-2016-grey-arabian-stallion
After all of the excitement of racing was over for the day and the shadows were stretching farther to the east, the AJC asked Chay of Snowforest Stables to bring a certain one of their horses to the winner’s circle. At the end of the yearly Series, the AJC awards one winner of all the Series races the elite Child Of The Night Cup in honor of their effort and excellence in this grueling, highly competitive series. This year’s Child Of The Night Cup honor is awarded to:
2021 CHILD OF THE NIGHT CUP
Zetes DE
(LL Apoloniusz x OWA Zynfandel)
2016 Grey Arabian Stallion
Owned by Chay of Snowforest Stables
Bred by Chay of Datura Estates
snowforeststables.proboards.com/thread/38/zetes-2016-grey-arabian-stallion
For the Championship Series, his show in July’s Enchanted SF Stakes G1 earned him a position in the final, where he won the Marutas CH Stakes G1.
He began his racing career in the AJC just in December 2020, and already has 8 wins, including graded races, and $680,000 LTE not including today’s win.
Congratulations to everyone, and thank you for another great AJC Championship Series!
See full results: hfajc.proboards.com/thread/774/2021-ajc-championship-series-final
See past AJC Championship Series winners: hfajc.proboards.com/thread/190/ajc-championship-series-champions
