Manila (KY)

Biography

Winless in three starts when Bradley Shannon purchased him prior to his 3-year-old campaign, Manila won 12 of his next 15 starts, including the 1986 Breeders' Cup Turf, and became an Eclipse Award winner. 

Trained by LeRoy Jolley, Manila was a son of Lyphard out of the Le Fabuleux mare Dona Ysidra. A Kentucky-bred, Manila raced for his breeder, Edwardo Cojuangco, until he was acquired privately by Shannon following the colt’s three starts as a 2-year-old. As Cojuangco had lived at one time in the Philippines, he named Manila after that country’s capital. Manila remained in Shannon’s hands the remainder of his racing career.

At 3, Manila won eight of his 10 starts and finished second in the other two. His wins included the Cinema Handicap, Lexington Stakes, United Nations Handicap, Classic Stakes, Turf Classic, and Breeders’ Cup Turf.

In the 1986 Breeders’ Cup Turf, Manila defeated a star-studded field that included Theatrical, Estrapade, and European standout Dancing Brave. Fresh off an overpowering score in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Dancing Brave went off as the 1-2 favorite but proved no match for the others. Manila, the 8-1 third choice, won by a neck over Theatrical, who finished 3¾ lengths ahead of Estrapade. Dancing Brave ran fourth.

The Breeders’ Cup victory secured the Eclipse Award for Champion Male Turf Horse for Manila. His eight wins in 1986 netted the champ $1,814,729.

Brought back as a 4-year-old in 1987, Manila repeated in the United Nations and also won the Early Times Turf Classic Stakes, Arlington Million, and Elkhorn Stakes. Manila, however, lost out in Eclipse Award balloting to Theatrical, whom he had beaten in the Arlington Million in their only meeting that year. Theatrical finished the year with a score in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Manila was retired after the Arlington Million because of a hairline fracture. He concluded his career with a record of 12-5-0 from 18 starts and earnings of $2,692,799.

Manila entered stud at Lane’s End in 1988 before being relocated to Turkey in 1996. He sired 32 stakes winners, including Grade 1 turf winner Bien Bien, Derby Italiano winner Time Star, and three Turkish champions. Manila died in Turkey on Feb. 28, 2009, at the age of 26.

Achievements

Eclipse Award Champion Male Turf Horse — 1986

Breeders' Cup Highlights

Won the Turf — 1986

Notable

Won the United Nations Handicap — 1986, 1987
Won the Ballantine's Scotch Classic Stakes — 1986
Won the Cinema Handicap — 1986
Won the Lexington Stakes — 1986
Won the Turf Classic — 1986
Won the Arlington Million — 1987

Horse Profile for Manila | Equibase is Your Official Source for Thoroughbred Racing Information