Kentucky Derby Horse Profile: Sierra Leone

Feb 19, 2024 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

Sierra Leone earned 50 points on the 2024 Road to the Kentucky Derby following his half-length tally in the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17 for his ownership group -- Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Brook Smith, and Peter Brant. Trained by Chad Brown, the sophomore colt covered 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in 1:52.13 under the guidance of Tyler Gaffalione.

“The blinkers really helped him focus today,” his pilot stated. “He broke alertly, and we hoped going into this race there would be more speed (than actually developed). He got a comfortable trip up the backside and relaxed for me.

“When he took the lead in the stretch, I could feel beneath me he is only going to want to go longer after this. He is an incredible horse, and Chad Brown and his team have done an incredible job with him.”

#4 Sierra Leone earns 50 points on the road to the @KentuckyDerby from the @fairgroundsnola. #FG152 ⚜️

Jockey: @Tyler_Gaff
Trainer: Chad Brown

🎙️ @JohnGDooley#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/gsY0rPDG4C

— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) February 18, 2024

Sierra Leone made his much anticipated debut on Nov. 4 in a one-mile maiden special weight contest at Aqueduct, and the first-time starter inched clear late to secure a solid 1 1/4-length victory. In his second assignment at the same venue on Dec. 2, the dark bay rallied from last to finish a narrow runner-up in the Remsen S. (G2) to conclude his brief two-year-old campaign. His lifetime line now reads 3-2-1-0, $336,750.

Purchased for the top price of $2.3 million as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in August 22, Sierra Leone was bred in Kentucky by Debby Oxley. He is the first black-type performer produced from the Malibu Moon mare Heavenly Love, who picked up her biggest victory in the 2017 Alcibiades S. (G1) at Keeneland.

The son of Gun Runner hails from the same female line as Japanese Horse of the Year Zenno Rob Roy, as well as Grade 1 heroines Roamin Rachel and Cat’s Cradle, as well as current Japanese-based Triple Crown nominee Forever Young.

Sierra Leone has recorded Brisnet Speed figures of 85-98-93 from his trio of career tries to date. The sophomore has also registered Late Pace figures of 95-98-99 in those outings, and he seems more than equipped to handle added distance going forward.

According to Brown, the $1 million Blue Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland on April 6 is the next expected target for the exciting three-year-old.