KINGSTON, Jamaica – Huntsman came to the racing wicket for the first time on Saturday, April 15, 2023, in a three-year-old maiden call going 7 ½ furlongs.
The chestnut gelding by Key To Power out of Dream Point won his opener in devastating fashion, clocking a more than desirable time of 1:33.4, winning by 17 lengths.
Huntsman is trained by Ian Parsard and was ridden by Reyan Lewis.
The Quick Galloper interviewed Parsard about his charge, a day after the gelding’s impressive victory.
THE QUICK GALLOPER – TQG
IAN PARSARD – IP
TQG – Your thoughts on this opening run by Huntsman?
IP – Pleased, very pleased. We think very highly of Huntsman, and he delivered for us.
TQG – How did Huntsman come out of the race?
IP – So far, so good. Based on what we have seen up to this morning (April 16), Huntsman seems pretty good, but it is still too early. More checks will obviously have to be done during the course of this week. Right now, he is ok.
TQG – Why did it take so long for Huntsman to make his debut?
IP – Huntsman had some issues when he was a two-year-old. Because of those issues, we had to take our time with him, plus as a trainer, I generally do not like to rush my horses. We took our time with Huntsman until he himself told us that he was ready. He came to the races on Saturday (April 15), and he delivered for his connections. Our patience paid off, and I am a happy camper.
TQG - Huntsman is a progeny of your farm’s (Paradise at Spring Village) stallion Key To Power, who is also the sire of your crack filly Bootylicious. Did the breeding of Huntsman (Key To Power out of Dream Point) inspire confidence in the stables?
IP – Yes, the team had some discussions about Huntsman and his potential. For the record, Key To Power is no longer around, with his present crop of three-year-olds, his last. In the past, Key To Power has produced some good horses, for example, The Citadel, but for reasons known and unknown, they have not come through the various stages. Now, Key To Power has Bootylicious, who is continuing to prove her worth, and Huntsman is on the cusp of developing into a genuine Classic contender, again, only time will tell. We believe that Huntsman has the potential of doing well at longer distances. The dam side of Huntsman (Dream Point) is where we believe a likeness for the longer races comes from. Dream Point has a sister, who has won a number of races going two turns in her career, and as you saw on Saturday, Huntsman won on debut going 7 ½ furlongs, which is a fairly unusual occurrence. We will wait and see.
TQG – If everything goes well, what is next for Huntsman?
IP – If everything goes well, and I stress, if everything goes well, and Huntsman continues to progress as expected from a three-year-old, more than likely, he will start in the 7 ½ furlong - The Kingston, which is scheduled for Sunday, May 7. It is way too early to make a final decision.
TQP - Although we have been speaking about Huntsman, how is your top-rated Mahogany?
IP – (laughing) Well, Mahogany is currently doing well. I am pleased with his recent exercise spins, and whenever he (Mahogany) races again, he will be ready.
