Two to enter New Jersey-bred Hall of Fame

by | Aug 18, 2016 | Breaking, New Jersey, NJ Racing, Racing

From a Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey release

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey Hall of Fame yesterday committee announced the fifth class of horses into the New Jersey-bred Hall of Fame.  Classy Mirage and Lord Rebeau are the newest members of the state’s Hall.

The induction ceremony will take place at Monmouth Park August 28 as part of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Festival presented by Malouf Auto Group. The Hall of Fame committee members are Bill Finley, Brad Thomas, Bob Matthies, Peter Freundlich, Mike D’Antonio, Judith Batcha and Mike Campbell.

Classy Mirage (Storm Bird-First Mirage, by Riva Ridge) was bred in New Jersey by Joseph & William Stavola Inc. and was owned by Middletown Stables. The 13-time winner was trained by H. Allen Jerkens.

Classy Mirage made her initial start on February 20, 1993 at Gulfstream Park in an allowance race which lost by a neck to Jacody who would later go on to win multiple graded stakes races. Classy Mirage won her next five races by a combined 29 lengths including a five length win in the Prioress Stakes (gr. II) defeating multiple graded stakes winners Missed the Storm and Educated Risk.

Classy Mirage won seven stakes races, including five graded stakes, and placed in seven other graded stakes during her three-year career. She won such notable races as the Ballerina Handicap (gr. 1), Distaff Handicap (gr. II), Bed o’Roses Handicap (gr. II) and Genuine Risk Handicap (gr. II). She retired with 13 wins from 25 starts and earnings of $716,712. Classy Mirage is a half sister to the multiple grade 1 winner and 2013 New Jersey-bred Hall of Fame inductee, Missy’s Mirage.

Lord Rebeau, a multiple graded stakes winner was a New Jersey homebred for Paul Cresci. Lord Rebeau showed his brilliance as a two-year-old winning a division of the Cowdin Stakes (gr.II) by five lengths over nine rivals. Lord Rebeau was a versatile horse winning stake races ranging from six furlongs to a mile and one sixteenth against the best of his generation including future National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame inductees Forego and Foolish Pleasure.

Lord Rebeau won three graded stakes races including the New Orleans Handicap (Grade 3) and Roseben Handicap (Grade 3) and placed in prestigious races such as the Metropolitan Handicap (Grade 1), Brooklyn Handicap (Grade 1) and Suburban Handicap (Grade 2).

Lord Rebeau retired with 11 wins, six seconds and five thirds and earnings of $292,660 from 28 starts.