American St Leger scouting report: Billabong

Moroccan-bred Billabong has been an honorable ambassador for his homeland abroad, and the likeable gray figures to turn in his characteristically solid effort at Arlington.

Jalobey Racing’s Sharif El Alami has been wanting to bring his homebred over here for a couple of years. In 2015, he had designs on the Belmont Gold Cup, and then nominated to the Sword Dancer (G1), but neither came to fruition. So this American venture is long in the crafting.

From a stout German male line, Billabong claims as his grandsire the redoubtable Monsun, who sired back-to-back Melbourne Cup (G1) winners in Fiorente (2013) and Protectionist (2014). Billabong is by the Monsun stallion Gentlewave, the 2006 Italian Derby (G1) hero, and his dam comes from the extended family of high-class stayer Jukebox Jury, runner-up in the 2009 Canadian International (G1).

Billabong began his career on the Moroccan dirt, where he compiled an exceptional record by going 9-for-11, including Morocco’s signature race, the Grand Prix de Sa Majeste Le Roi Mohammed VI. He deserved a chance to compete at a higher level in Europe, and accordingly joined Pascal Bary in France.

Although no longer a win machine as he’d been at home, Billabong has held his own admirably. After placing in a pair of listed events, he demonstrated the heart of a lion to earn his black-type laurel in the 2015 Prix Lord Seymour at Longchamp. Doesn’t Billabong just seem to want it more than Juddmonte’s Glaring, as he fights and scrapes his way back in front?

 

Billabong next traveled to San Siro for the Gran Premio di Milano (G1), and did well to finish easily best of the rest behind Dylan Mouth, who at that time was still unbeatable in Italy.