Despite His Quirks, Layabout Has Connections Dreaming
The Tropical Park Derby, a $125,000 listed stakes, might not have been the main event on the American racing schedule on December 13th. But in London, it was a highly anticipated race for Kevin Doyle and his stable manager, Andy Smith. Their 3-year-old Kentucky homebred, Layabout, surged to the lead in the final sixteenth and narrowly held off Tiz Dashing to win the 1 1/16-mile race by a nose.
READ: Layabout Holds Off Tiz Dashing in Tropical Park Derby
After the victory, trainer Patrick Biancone called to congratulate them. Smith shared, "We had a laugh. On to the next one. January 24, we're hoping for."
January 24th marks the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1), a challenging goal for their developing gelding. However, they believe it can serve as a stepping stone to international targets in the Middle East in the following months. These targets hold significant importance for Doyle's Newbyth Stud operation, based in Scotland.
Doyle, with a background in the entertainment and property business, has always had a passion for breeding Thoroughbreds. In Scotland, he maintains a few mares at Floors Castle, and in Kentucky, he keeps two or three mares under Peter O'Callaghan's care at Woods Edge Farm.
Smith described Doyle as an investor in the business, enjoying the breeding and turnover of breeding stock. He has been involved in American bloodstock, including being the original owner of Trolley Song, the dam of the influential sire Unbridled's Song. He also bred War Plan, who was sold for $700,000 at the 2004 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
One of the mares at Woods Edge is Batalla Sindical, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Big Brown who raced in Argentina. Smith was approached to buy her, and given her half-sister connection to the 2019 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) winner, Blue Prize, he was keen to do so. The mare's pedigree was further strengthened by another half-sister, Blue Stripe, who won the 2022 Clement L. Hirsch Stakes (G1) and finished just a nose behind the Distaff winner, Malathaat.
The mating of Batalla Sindical with Laoban produced Layabout, a result of fate. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she missed her original stallion booking and was delayed in reaching the United States. Smith considered Uncle Mo but settled on Laoban, suggested by his friend, Omar Trevino. They entered Batalla Sindical in the 2021 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, but a cyst on her leg led to a reduced price of $130,000. This turned out to be a fortunate turn of events, as Layabout proved to be a good-looking horse, and Doyle and Smith decided to train him themselves.
Layabout's training journey began with Brian Lynch, but he struggled to win in his first three starts on the Gulfstream Park dirt. However, he showed promise with his speed in the mornings and ran with good company. His first two starts were won by future Preakness Stakes (G1) starters River Thames and Gosger.
Smith described Layabout as a "strange horse" with unique behaviors. He stops abruptly when he hits the front and is awkward in the mornings and at the gate. When Lynch suggested keeping him in Florida, Smith turned to his friend, Biancone, who has a patient and gentle approach with horses.
Biancone's training paid off, as Layabout broke his maiden on the synthetic track and then won two grass races, including the Bear's Den Stakes in August. He ran a closing fourth in the $2 million Gun Runner Stakes at Kentucky Downs and took command in the Showing Up Stakes at Gulfstream Park, only to be caught late by Souper Forces.
Junior Alvarado rode Layabout to perfection in the Tropical Park Derby, allowing him to hold off Tiz Dashing's late charge by a nostril. Alvarado praised Layabout, calling him a "really good horse." Smith expressed confidence in Layabout's potential, believing he can compete at the highest level and take his form overseas to Saudi Arabia and Dubai.
Newbyth Stud still owns Batalla Sindical's 2-year-old filly, Cupid, who is training well, along with a Practical Joke yearling filly and a "beautiful" Gunite foal. The mare is again in foal to Gunite.
