Full Brother to 2015 Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah
Irish Pharaoh, who later raced under the name St Patrick's Day, was a colt who carried one of the most famous pedigrees in racing as a full brother to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. He was foaled in early 2015 at Summer Wind Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, the same farm owned by Jane Lyon that had bred his great brother. His sire was Pioneerof the Nile, the second place finisher in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, and his dam was Littleprincessemma, a daughter of Yankee Gentleman.
The arrival of Irish Pharaoh drew huge attention. He was, after all, a full sibling to a Triple Crown winner, and the racing world watched closely to see if lightning could strike twice. He was sold as a weanling to Coolmore and shipped to Ireland, but he eventually returned to America to be trained by Bob Baffert, the same Hall of Fame conditioner who had won the Triple Crown with American Pharoah. He was renamed St Patrick's Day for his racing days, running for Mrs. John Magnier.
He made his racing debut at Del Mar in 2017 and broke his maiden in his first start in pretty impressive fashion. The win sparked excitement that maybe another Pharoah family star was on the way. Sadly, he picked up an injury in that maiden race, and the setback hampered the rest of his career. He raced 10 times in America and Ireland, picking up some stakes placings in Ireland, but he was never quite able to fully deliver on his huge promise.
After his racing career, St Patrick's Day was reacquired by his original breeder Jane Lyon in a private arrangement and brought back to Summer Wind Farm where he was born. He stands today as a reminder of just how hard it is to repeat racing greatness, even with all the right pieces in place. Irish Pharaoh is remembered as a horse who carried a famous family name with class and gave fans a thrill on his big debut, even if his career did not match the legend of his Triple Crown winning brother.
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