When Bob Baffert ships into Hot Springs, he means business. Two weeks after taking down the gem of the Oaklawn Park meet with Muth in the Arkansas Derby (G1), the trainer added the track’s second coveted prize to his 2024 tally when Adare Manor strolled to a front-running victory in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 13.
Adare Manor, a mammoth-sized mare with a coat the color of freshly roasted coffee beans, was making only her third venture in 16 career starts outside of California. Her other two attempts resulted in second- and sixth-place finishes in the 2022 George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) and Cotillion Stakes (G1), respectively. Adare Manor, however, now a 5-year-old, was more than capable of finding the winner’s circle this time. Hernandez kept Adare Manor on a loose rein as she paved the way through splits of :23.68, :46.95, and 1:11.14. With no challengers in sight at the quarter pole, Adare Manor powered to the wire, relishing the extra sixteenth of a mile that she didn’t get when running second last time out in the March 9 Beholder Mile Stakes (G1).
Bred by Town & Country Horse Farms and Gary Broad, Adare Manor is the sole winner from two foals to race out of the graded stakes-winning Brooklynsway (Giant Gizmo). Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni signed the ticket on the filly for $375,000 on behalf of Petersen at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ June 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale.
Adare Manor is the first graded stakes winner of 2024 for Ashford Stud stallion Uncle Mo . The son of Indian Charlie, and sire of 100 stakes winners worldwide, had three grade1 -winning offspring in 2023. Adare Manor was one of those three, scoring in the 2023 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.