Royal O'Haigain became the first winner for the Louisiana stallion El Deal when the 2-year-old filly won a $64,562 maiden special weight at Santa Anita Park May 21.
Bet down to 4-5, she led from start to finish, finishing 5 1/2 lengths ahead of runner-up Harddiane. The Luis Mendez-trained winner, owned by L. N. M. Three Company, Pappas Horse Racing, and Charles Bartlett, completed 4 1/2 furlongs in :53.12 on a fast track under Alexis Centeno.
Bred in Louisiana by Cloyce Clark Jr., Royal O'Haigain is the first winner from the grade 3-placed Cowtown Cat mare Dreaming of Susie. Royal O'Haigain fell short of her reserve when bidding halted at $47,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales' March 2021 Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale, where she was consigned by Havens Bloodstock Agency.
Last fall she was a $35,000 purchase by Tari Brocklebank from the MJK Bloodstock consignment at the Kentucky October Yearling Sale at Fasig-Tipton.
El Deal (Munnings —Spirit of Wailea, by Out of Place), who captured the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in 2017, entered stud in 2018 at Red River Farms in Coushatta, La., where he stands for a $2,500 fee. The sire has one other starter, Free Like a Girl, another Louisiana-bred who ran second in her debut in a $34,000 maiden special weight at Lone Star Park May 8.
