Join the Party!

It’s not too often that a horse merits both the pedigree and conformation to command an auction price in excess of seven figures. It’s even less often that kind of horse goes on to achieve success on the track. Look no further than Street Cry’s son Desert Party for a stallion that ticks all those boxes and more.

Produced from the Tabasco Cat mare Sage Cat, Desert Party stands alongside his father, Street Cry, and “half-brothers” Street Sense and Street Boss at Darley America. His $2.1 million purchase price as a two-year-old was more than justified as he went on to win Graded/Group Stakes events at two, three and four.

Desert Party graduated first time through the sales ring at Keeneland September in the fall of 2007 as a $475,000 yearling and then blossomed into a physical standout at two. He was ultimately purchased by Sheikh Mohammed at Fasig-Tipton’s Florida February sale of two-year-olds in training in 2008.

In his first career start, Desert Party showed signs of brilliance, an although he broke from post position 10, he quickly found his stride and proved much the best winning by three and one-half lengths over Arlington Park’s Polytrack.

After just a little over one-month’s time, he found himself once again on the winning end with an impressive victory in the G2 Sanford Stakes over Saratoga’s muddy, main dirt track. His list of defeated foes that day included the multiple G1 winner Vineyard Haven. After the race trainer Eion Harty was quoted as saying, "This colt’s biggest asset is his turn of foot. I told Edgar [Prado] not to hustle him away from there; to give him a chance (so when) you call on him, he can run for you.”

At three, Desert Party travelled to Dubai where, at Nad Al Sheba race course, he won three of four starts early in the year, emulating his great sire in both the G3 UAE 2,000 Guineas and G2 UAE Derby. At four, Desert Party was victorious in two of three starts – the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal at Meydan race course, also in Dubai, and a 100+ Beyer performance in the Donald LeVine Memorial Handicap at Philadelphia Park which would be his final career start. Desert Party boasts six victories from 11 career starts with one second. His total earnings were $928,467.

On his retirement to stud, Darley COO Olly Tait expressed, "This is a horse that we felt was headed for Grade I success. Physically, he is a fantastic individual and we're very excited to have him join our roster." This statement was somewhat prophetic as in 2011, he was extremely well received in his first year with a book of mares that totaled 121. Given the early returns on Street Sense’s first crop at the track, look for this other son of Street Cry to make his mark beyond the breeding shed as well.