NCHA News

 

Sanctus, shown by Rodrigo Taboga for Scott Durham, Fort Worth, Tex., scored 226 points to claim the NCHA Derby championship on Sunday, July 19, during the NCHA Metallic Cat Summer Spectacular in Fort Worth. It was the High Brow Cat son’s fourth 2020 Open championship win and his third with 226 points.

Twice In Santiago, with Adan Banuelos for Double Dove Ranch, Fort Worth, scored 223 points for the reserve championship, while Champayne Dreams, under Tag Rice for Scotty Rice, Weatherford, Tex., scored 222 points for third place.

Sanctus came to the Summer Spectacular as 2020’s second-richest 4-year-old, with $58,232 earned as winner of the Abilene Spectacular Open Limited, the Non-Pro Plus Open, and Cattlemen’s Derby, as well as reserve champion of the Bonanza. Including his NCHA Derby winner’s share of $25,633, he now has earnings of $83,865.

Sired by High Brow Cat and bred by Isidro Sigala, Weatherford, Tex., Sanctus is a full brother to Sofies Choice Cat LTE $59,735, out of Sofie Rey LTE $148,557

 

2019 NCHA Futurity reserve champion Twice In Santiago collected $22,484 as the NCHA Derby reserve champion. The Once In A Blu Boon daughter has been a finalist with Adan Banuelos in five major 4-year-old events, including as reserve champion of the Arbuckle Mountain Futurity and the Cattlemen’s Derby. The career earner of $231,337, Twice In Santiago ranks third among 4-year-olds of 2020 with $76,317.

Sired by Dual Rey and bred by Double Dove Ranch, Fort Worth, Texas, out of Twice As Reycy LTE $194,141, Twice In Santiago is a half-sister to seven earners of more than $960,000, including Pedel To The Metall LTE $263,494 and Reycy Moon LTE $209,363.

Although third-placed Champayne Dreams, an NCHA Futurity semi-finalist under Tag Rice, collected her first official 2020 NCHA paycheck, for $19,336 in the NCHA Derby, the Metallic Cat daughter went home the richest horse of the day, as winner of the  $100,000 Metallic Cat Incentive.

Bred by Alvin and Becky Fults, Amarillo, Tex., Champayne Dreams, who won the NCHA Derby Semi-Finals with 223 points, is out of the Dual Rey mare Hoo Rey For Dreams $173,678, dam of seven NCHA money earners, including Found My Dream LTE $34,169, by Smooth As A Cat.

Buonvino, shown by Beau Galyean for Billy Wolf, Whitesboro, Tex., tied for seventh place in the NCHA Derby, and including his finalist payout of $10,983 retained his status as leading 2020 four-year-old, with $93,879.

To read more from Sally Harrison, visit her blog at sallyharrison.com.