Horse Profile: Beach Bomb

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Scouting Report

(Editor's note: Originally published in the 2024 BRISnet Breeders' Cup International Report) 

Having lauded the South African sprinter angle with Isivunguvungu (Turf Sprint), I must note that his homeland has produced world-class performers over longer distances too. To speak only of this division, South African champion Spook Express was runner-up in the 2001 Filly & Mare Turf. Compatriots Irridescence, Crimson Palace, and Gypsy’s Warning, and Zimbabwe-bred phenom Ipi Tombe (who rose to stardom in South Africa) would all have been contenders if their stateside campaigns had included the Breeders’ Cup. 

Although draconian export protocols put a damper on South African participation on the international stage for the past decade or so, Breeders’ Cup Challenge winner Beach Bomb has settled in stateside since March. That’s given her time to regain fitness and turn in two solid preps for Graham Motion. As a result, she has a better shot of upholding the fine tradition of South Africa’s globetrotters than others who took the European route via a stay in Mauritius. The question for her is more the 1 3/8-mile distance than current form or condition. 

A homebred for Gaynor Rupert’s Drakenstein Stud, South Africa’s reigning champion owner and outstanding breeder, Beach Bomb now runs in the name of its British arm, Cayton Park Stud. 

Beach Bomb’s name alludes to her famous parents – Lancaster Bomber, the former Coolmore globetrotter who was runner-up in both the 2016 Juvenile Turf and the 2017 Mile (at Del Mar), and two-time South African champion Beach Beauty. As the dam of three Group winners and two Group-placed runners, Beach Beauty was recently honored with an Equus Award as champion broodmare.

Beach Bomb has inherited her family’s tendency to be on the small side. But like her dam, she more than compensates with a generous heart and a smart turn of foot. 

Developed by one of South Africa’s most prominent trainers, Candice Bass-Robinson, Beach Bomb showed potential as a juvenile at Kenilworth. She was sixth on debut going five furlongs, but romped in a six-furlong maiden next time. She traveled well just off the pace and lengthened in the manner of a good-looking prospect.

Beach Bomb confirmed that impression when stepping up in class and trip for the Irridescence S. at about 7 1/2 furlongs on heavy going. Reserved in a ground-saving third, she picked up superbly and drew three lengths clear. In the process, she upstaged odds-on stablemate October Morn, who wound up a non-staying fourth. 

In her sophomore bow at Durbanville, Beach Bomb was overturned as the 1-2 favorite. But the little filly was carrying a big impost of 132 pounds. She was held up further off the pace and not given too hard a time as she gamely closed for second, beaten only a length.

Beach Bomb was overlooked at 14-1 in last December’s Cape Fillies Guineas (G1) back at Kenilworth, where post 11 appeared to be a detriment. Far back early with only one behind her, she still had a mountain to climb in midstretch. But Beach Bomb made an explosive move to reach contention, and her determination lifted her past Silver Sanctuary at the end of the metric mile. Runner-up Silver Sanctuary, a fellow Drakenstein color-bearer, went on to capture the Woolavington 2000 (G1). 

Beach Bomb’s next coup came at the expense of Horse of the Year Princess Calla in the “Win and You’re In” Paddock (G1). As a sophomore, the 5-2 second choice was receiving 13 pounds from the older favorite Princess Calla. But Beach Bomb needed every ounce of her class to go last to first in the about 1 1/8-mile test. She rallied off a slow pace, despite a rival coming out and affecting her run, and willed her way to the line. Thrusting her neck in front of Princess Calla, Beach Bomb emulated dam Beach Beauty, a two-time Paddock winner (and a tough-beat second in 2012).

Three weeks later in the Jan. 27 Majorca (G1) back at a metric mile, Beach Bomb threw in a clunker when ninth behind Princess Calla. Her jockey reported that she didn’t stride out. The veterinarian was called in to take a look, but there was nothing obviously amiss.

The key word was obviously. Bass-Robinson revealed that bloodwork indicated a high white blood cell count. Beach Bomb was clearly battling an illness, like another stablemate who flopped with the same issue. 

Quickly getting over that hiccup, a healthy Beach Bomb was ready to tackle the boys in the Feb. 24 Cape Derby (G1). Her trainer believed that she’d stay the about 1 1/4-mile distance, and doubted there were any superstar males in the line-up. It was worth taking the chance. 

Bettors agreed, sending Beach Bomb off as the 5-2 second choice, and she checked in second to favored Green with Envy. The slow final time, 2:10.33, points to the dawdling early pace. As brave as Beach Bomb was to keep churning, she was comprehensively outkicked by Green with Envy, who burst from farther back in the pack. Green with Envy later added the Daily News 2000 (G1), but was only seventh as the favorite in the Durban July (G1). 

Beach Bomb didn’t necessarily answer the stamina question that day, or when third in the Rodeo Drive (G2). The prospect of a fast-run 1 3/8 miles figures to stretch her as never before. Nevertheless, her pedigree gives her a fighting chance, and she’s a gutsy, high-class filly who can be trusted to run her race.