Wathnan Racing’s California Crown Stakes (G1) winner Subsanador will miss the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) after being diagnosed with an ankle injury at Santa Anita Park, where he is based with Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella.
The injury originally was reported by Daily Racing Form. Wathnan’s U.S. adviser Case Clay spoke with BloodHorse Oct. 12 and confirmed the setback while giving updates on other United States-based Wathnan Breeders’ Cup candidates.
Clay facilitated the purchase of Subsanador from Stud Facundito after he finished second in the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) at Santa Anita. The 5-year-old Argentine-bred won the Philip J. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park in his second start for Wathnan and then scored a dramatic victory in the California Crown, defeating 2023 Preakness Stakes (G1) and 2024 Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner National Treasure by a head.
The California Crown was the first grade 1 win in America for Wathnan, a relatively new but internationally prominent stable owned by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Clay said Subsanador’s ankle injury was diagnosed early, and he will be out of training for about three months.
“Richard detected pressure in the ankle and we took some pictures. It’s not bad, we caught it early, and he doesn’t need surgery,” Clay said. “He is gonna hand walk for 30 days and then turn him out. He’s unfortunately going to have to miss the Breeders’ Cup.
“It’s disappointing that he won’t be able to give it a go in the Classic, but after his rest the plan is to bring him back next year, so that’s good.”
Other Wathnan Hopefuls
Hanshin Stakes winner Cagliostro , most recently third in the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, worked four furlongs in :48 3/5 Saturday at Keeneland for trainer Cherie DeVaux.
“I just got off the phone with Cherie. Cagliostro worked this morning and worked well,” Clay said. “He’s going to the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.”
Cagliostro, pictured winning the Hanshin Stakes at Churchill Downs, is a prospective starter in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
Wathnan has a second possible contender for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) winner Tumbarumba , trained by Brian Lynch.
“We are going back and forth on the Dirt Mile or the Fayette Stakes. We haven’t made a decision on Tumbarumba yet,” Clay said. “Of course, with all these horses you have to get into the Breeders’ Cup races, but I think they would qualify.”
Clay said he recently spoke with Brad Cox, trainer of Wathnan’s Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) winner Hit Show , and he indicated the 4-year-old Candy Ride colt is being pointed for the Oct. 26 Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
Wathnan also has two European-based candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T)—Aesterius , winner of the Sept. 13 Flying Childers Stakes (G2) at Doncaster; and Shareholder , winner of the Norfolk Stakes (G2) at Ascot Racecourse.
