Uncle Mo
Uncle Mo (March 10, 2008 – December 19, 2024) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse renowned for his brilliant undefeated campaign as a two-year-old in 2010, which included dominant victories in the Champagne Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs, earning him the Eclipse Award as American Champion Two-Year-Old Male Horse.[1][2][3] Bred in Kentucky by Dr. D. Michael Cavey and purchased as a yearling for $220,000 by owner Mike Repole of Repole Stable, Uncle Mo was sired by Indian Charlie out of the Arch mare Playa Maya.[4][5] Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, he began his career with a stunning 14¼-length maiden win at Saratoga Race Course in August 2010, followed by his two Grade 1 triumphs later that year, amassing earnings of over $1.6 million across eight career starts with five victories, one second, and one third.[1][5] As a three-year-old in 2011, health challenges including a gastrointestinal illness sidelined him from the Kentucky Derby trail after a third-place finish in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1), but he rebounded to win the Timely Writer Stakes, place second in the Forego Stakes (G1), capture the Kelso Handicap (G2), and win the Forty Niner Stakes (G2) before fading to 10th in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).[6][7][5] Retired to stud at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud in Kentucky in 2012 with an initial fee of $35,000, Uncle Mo quickly established himself as a premier sire, topping the North American freshman sire list by earnings in 2015 and ranking second on the general sire list in 2020, third in 2016 and 2023, and fourth in 2022.[3][8][9] From 11 crops of racing age, he sired over 900 winners (including 114 stakes winners) who earned more than $130 million as of early 2025, with his stud fee reaching $125,000 live foal for 2025.[8][10][11] Among his most notable progeny were Nyquist, the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and Eclipse Award-winning two-year-old male; Mo Donegal, victor of the 2022 Belmont Stakes (G1); and Golden Pal, a two-time Breeders' Cup winner in the Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) and Turf Sprint (G1).[3][8] Uncle Mo was euthanized at age 16 following a left foreleg injury, leaving a profound legacy in Thoroughbred racing and breeding.[3]Background
Birth and Early Ownership
Uncle Mo, a bay Thoroughbred colt, was foaled on March 10, 2008, in Kentucky.[1] He was bred by Dr. D. Michael Cavey, a veterinarian and horse enthusiast based in the state. He sold as a weanling for $160,000 at the 2008 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale before entering the yearling market.[8] From a young age, Uncle Mo displayed promising physical attributes, standing approximately 16 hands tall with a powerful, muscular build and deep body that suggested both speed and durability, traits influenced briefly by his sire Indian Charlie's lineage known for precocity.[9] As a yearling, Uncle Mo entered the market at the Keeneland September Sale in 2009, where he was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency on behalf of his breeder. He attracted attention for his conformation and was purchased by entrepreneur Mike Repole for $220,000, marking the beginning of his association with Repole Stable.[4] This acquisition represented a strategic investment for Repole, who was building his racing operation with an eye toward high-potential juveniles.[12] Following the sale, Uncle Mo was sent to Ocala, Florida, for initial breaking and training under James Crupi, a respected conditioner known for preparing young horses with careful attention to their development.[13] This pre-racing phase highlighted Uncle Mo's natural athleticism, as he matured into a robust individual ready for competitive pursuits.[9]Pedigree
Uncle Mo was sired by Indian Charlie, a Grade 1-winning son of In Excess (Ire) whose progeny were renowned for their sprinting speed and success in Breeders' Cup races, including champions like Indian Blessing and Fleet Indian.[14][15] Indian Charlie himself excelled at middle distances, winning the Santa Anita Derby and finishing second in the 1998 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, traits that contributed to Uncle Mo's precocious speed and class.[16] His dam, Playa Maya, was an unraced daughter of the Grade 1 Super Derby winner Arch, a versatile sire known for producing stamina-laden runners capable of performing on both dirt and turf.[17][18] Arch, out of the Danzig mare Aurora, sired multiple Grade 1 winners such as Blame (Breeders' Cup Classic victor) and Will Take Charge (Clark Handicap and Whitney Stakes winner), underscoring the depth in Playa Maya's female line.[19] Uncle Mo's extended pedigree features inbreeding to the influential Northern Dancer (Can) at 4x5, with additional crosses in the fifth generation, providing a foundation for both explosive early speed and underlying stamina.[20][21] Influences from the Mr. Prospector line appear through Raise a Native branches in the tail-female, enhancing precocity, while Secretariat's Bold Ruler lineage filters in via Roberto on the dam side, contributing to classic potential and durability.[22][23] The dam's family highlights the productive Arch line, with Playa Maya being the sole foal of her dam Dixie Slippers (by Dixieland Band), yet drawing from a broader lineage that has produced high-class runners like the Grade 1-placed Vatican and the stakes-winning Protonico, demonstrating the sire's ability to elevate unraced daughters into elite producers.[24][25]| Generation | Sire Line | Dam Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Self) | Uncle Mo (2008, b.c. by Indian Charlie) | |
| 2 | Indian Charlie (1995, b.h. by In Excess (Ire)) | Playa Maya (2000, dkb/br.m. by Arch) |
| 3 | In Excess (Ire) (1987, dkb/br.h. by Siberian Express) | Arch (1995, dkb/br.h. by Kris S) Dixie Slippers (1995, dkb/br.m. by Dixieland Band) |
| 4 | Siberian Express (1981, gr.h. by Caro (Ire)) Kantado (1976, b.m. by Saulingo) | Kris S (1977, dkb/br.h. by Roberto) Aurora (1988, b.m. by Danzig) |
| 5 | Caro (Ire) (1967, gr.h. by Fortino (Fr)) Saulingo (1970, b.h. by Sing Sing (Fr)) | Roberto (1969, b.h. by Hail to Reason) Danzig (1977, b.h. by Northern Dancer (Can)) |
Racing Career
Two-Year-Old Season
Uncle Mo burst onto the racing scene with an impressive debut on August 28, 2010, in a six-furlong maiden special weight race at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Todd A. Pletcher and ridden by jockey John R. Velazquez, the colt broke sharply from the gate and led throughout, drawing off to win by 14¼ lengths in a time of 1:09.21 while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 102.[26][27] This dominant performance, reflective of the speed inherited from his sire Indian Charlie, immediately marked him as a top juvenile prospect.[26] Just over five weeks later, Uncle Mo stepped up to stakes company in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 9, 2010. Velazquez again guided the 1-5 favorite as he set a fast pace, completing the one-mile distance in 1:34.51 before pulling clear to win by 4¾ lengths over Mountain Town.[28][29] The victory netted $180,000 and solidified his status as the leading contender for juvenile honors, with an Equibase speed figure of 110 highlighting his precocity under Pletcher's guidance.[30] Uncle Mo concluded his undefeated two-year-old campaign in the $2 million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Churchill Downs on November 6, 2010. Breaking from post 7 under Velazquez, he settled off a moderate pace before surging to the lead in the stretch and winning by 4¼ lengths over Boys at Tosconova in a final time of 1:42.60.[31] The performance earned an Equibase speed figure of 116 and clinched the Eclipse Award as American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt later that year.[30] From three starts, all victories, Uncle Mo amassed $1,302,500 in earnings.[32]Three-Year-Old Season
Uncle Mo entered his three-year-old season carrying strong momentum from his undefeated juvenile campaign, which had established him as an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby.[33] He began 2011 with a victory in the Timely Writer Stakes at Gulfstream Park on March 12, winning by 3¾ lengths as the heavy favorite in his seasonal debut over one mile.[34] However, his form faltered in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) at Aqueduct on April 9, where he finished third behind Toby's Corner after leading into the stretch but tiring late over 9 furlongs.[35] A gastrointestinal illness struck in late April, leading to his scratching from the Kentucky Derby on May 7 at Churchill Downs, where he had been the second choice in the morning line.[36] The condition, later diagnosed as cholangiohepatitis—a severe inflammation of the liver and bile ducts—sidelined him for several months, prompting a cautious approach to his return.[37] After a four-month layoff, Uncle Mo resumed racing in the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on August 27, finishing a close second by a nose to Caleb's Posse in a thrilling seven-furlong sprint.[38] He rebounded in his next outing, capturing the Kelso Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park on October 1 by three lengths over Jackson Bend in a commanding performance at one mile.[7] Uncle Mo's campaign concluded with a disappointing 10th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs on November 5.[33] On November 10, connections announced his retirement due to ongoing health concerns related to the liver ailment, ending the season with five starts, two wins, one second, and one third while earning $303,500.Race Record
Uncle Mo's racing career consisted of 8 starts on dirt, resulting in a record of 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third, with total earnings of $1,606,000.[1] He remained undefeated in his three races as a two-year-old, earning him the title of American Champion Two-Year-Old Colt for 2010.[9] Uncle Mo was also entered but scratched from the 2011 Kentucky Derby due to illness.| Date | Track | Race | Distance | Finish | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/28/2010 | Saratoga | Maiden Special Weight | 6 furlongs | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 10/09/2010 | Belmont Park | Champagne Stakes (G1) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 11/06/2010 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) | 1 1/16 miles | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 03/12/2011 | Gulfstream Park | Timely Writer Stakes (L) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 04/09/2011 | Aqueduct | Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) | 1 1/8 miles | 3rd | J. R. Velazquez |
| 08/27/2011 | Saratoga | King's Bishop Stakes (G1) | 7 furlongs | 2nd | J. R. Velazquez |
| 10/01/2011 | Belmont Park | Kelso Handicap (G2) | 1 mile | 1st | J. R. Velazquez |
| 11/05/2011 | Churchill Downs | Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) | 1 1/4 miles | 10th | J. R. Velazquez |