Hello West Thrilling winner of the 2021 Qatar Racing Breeders Cup (G1), has retired from competition and will stand at Mill Ridge Ranch in Lexington for $10,000.
5 year old son of Spin hard will be available for inspection at Mill Ridge at 2 p.m. daily from November 14 through the end of the Keeneland November Breeding Sale, ending November 16.
Campaigned for most of her career by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and coach Wayne Catalano, Aloha West limited her career to the Breeders’ Cup (G1) Sprint on November 5 at Keenelandwhere he placed last was 11. Prior to that attempt, he captured Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes in July at Churchill Downs after starting his 4-year-old season with third place on the Churchill Downs Show presented by Ford (G1) and fourth behind superstar Flight route when stretched during the trip at the Capital Handicap Hill ‘n’ Dale (G1).
Last year, ahead of his Breeders’ Cup Sprint victory, Aloha West burst onto the divisional scene with a belated defeat to special reserve in the Stoll Keenan Phoenix Stakes (G2) at Keeneland.
A $160,000 September Keeneland sale is aspirational, the success of the bay comes as no surprise to Catalano, who remarked to Purebred Eclipse president and founder Aron Wellman ahead of Sprint 2021 that Aloha West “probably the best horse I’ve ever touched.”
In the Breeders’ Cup Sprint of 2021, Aloha West was able to overcome many 1st place winners Dr. Schivel by nose. Aloha West, with Jose Ortiz in the iron, rode most of the nine-horse track for most of the race. As the two headed into the final round back in sixth, Ortiz overtook Aloha West by five points. With a brave closing move, he overtook the likes of the 2021 Final Sprint Men’s Champion Jackie’s Warrior and WILLSpecial Reserve for victory.
Aloha West retired with a 6-2-1 record from 13 starts and earnings of 1,507,290.
“This horse has the potential to be a great steed, because it has two key elements: speed and heart. And, it’s beautiful,” Catalano said.
Bred by Robert T. Manfuso & Katharine M. Voss of Maryland, where he was named state champion sprinter in 2021, Aloha West didn’t make 3rd. Sightstown Mare Island Bound. His dam, who raked in more than $277,000 on track, has four winners from five starters.
“Last week, we partnered with Aloha West and had a group of background breeders involved,” said Price Bell, Mill Ridge general manager. “He’s an interesting prospect to join Oscar Performance because he has speed, pedigree mix, great looks, and a good price point. Eclipse is a great partner, and we look forward to the future for Aloha West and his dark horse career. He’ll be in his grandson’s booth, Gone West. ”
