As a bloodstock agent/racing manager, Ramiro Restrepo understands it does not take divine inspiration to target a filly who sells for $1.25 million.
But it does take an owner willing to take a big financial risk, which Restrepo found in Jose Aguirre and Rina Camargo of JR Ranch.
So, Restrepo was able to make the winning, seven-figure bid on a daughter of Maxfield out of the Quiet American mare All in With Aces at the 2025 Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training.
"Maxfield was one of my favorite horses. He was a beast of a physical and she looked like her father's daughter. She was so professional and wicked fast at the sale. The owners kept giving me a green light during the bidding," Restrepo said. "It was just a matter of outlasting the competition."
After that, it became trainer Brendan Walsh's job to turn a million dollar dream into a brilliantly fast filly and Manny Franco's job to make her a graded stakes winner and clinch the Saratoga Race Course riding title at the same time.
All of that was accomplished Sept. 6 at the Spa when JR Ranch's Mashallah romped by 5 lengths in the $218,250 Prioress Stakes (G3) for 3-year-old fillies.
It was the fourth win in five starts and graded stakes debut for the Maxfield filly whose name means "If God wills it" in Arabic.
"Every race she has gone through a progression, kinda like old school boxers climbing the ladder," Restrepo said. "Today she graduated to a new step.
"The owners are in Europe vacationing, and I am really happy for them. When you have a horse of her ability you want it to reflect on paper with a graded win."
Off a win in the Tyson Gilpin Stakes at Colonial Downs, Mashallah was sent off as a heavy 2-5 favorite ($2.96) over four foes in the 6-furlong Prioress.
Second after a half-mile in :22.69, she reached the front by the quarter pole and was unchallenged in the stretch while crossing the wire in 1:09.93.
Without the owners or Walsh on hand, Restrepo said the Oct. 17 Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland would be next for Mashallah.
For Franco, the victory was unforgettable as it clinched the Spa jockey's title with one day of racing left at the meet. Franco raised his crop in the air to celebrate as he crossed the wire and said afterwards the title "meant everything to him."
"I won Aqueduct and Belmont (titles) but I wanted this one, for sure," he said. "This is the best jockey colony right now. This was one accomplishment I had on my bucket list, and finally we made it. I am just happy for everyone who was involved in this. To my agent, John Panagot, too. This is one of my top accomplishments. If it's not the best, it's second."
The victory was the 68th for Franco, one more than Flavien Prat, who will be at Kentucky Downs Sunday and Sept. 7.
Mashallah was bred by Taylor Made Stallions, Louis Brooks Ranch, Baysore Stables, et al.
Mythical (St. Patrick's Day) was second by a length over Hen Party (Into Mischief ).
