Breaking 13: Sunnybank Memorial, Allied Assault chase Grade 1 Winners Record
All records are made to be broken and it’s no different in the Sim: Joe Cayenne (2001 Sim Horse Of The Year) holds the record for the most Grade 1 victories with 13 triumphs at the very highest level. This summer though, two horses steadily approach ‘Joe’s benchmark and they’re arguably the best horses at the moment in the game: Sunnybank Memorial and Allied Assault.
Why follow this record?
Who is the best horse ever in the game? Do you have one in mind? If so, then how do you justify your decision? How do you measure one horse over another? The most championships, the greatest accomplishment, or the most famous reputation might be factors that you’d cite. Another could be a horse with a lot of wins at the highest level: the Grade 1 races.
In theory, the Grade 1 races gather the very best of their respective divisions throughout the year. Whether or not that’s true in practice is a subject for another article. However, you cannot argue against a horse’s consistency to run at their peak at the highest level. It plain takes a good one to throw those kinds of speed figures near each time out. It also takes a good trainer to guide the star or starlet on a vigorously set campaign.
Thus, for arguments’ sake, the Grade 1 victories record stands as a factor for determining the “best” Sim horse ever. It’s the test of talent and consistency at the highest level…. and the best of the best chase the benchmark.
The record at a glance:
Grade 1 Wins – Horse
13 – Joe Cayenne**
11 – Sunnybank Memorial*
11 – Allied Assault*
9 – Cecil Roo
8 – Storm Dog
8 – New Slew***
7 – Huge Tale
7 – Dusty Dance
7 – Bristol Rovers*
* Active
** Active, but hasn’t raced since Week 2377
*** Active, but hasn’t raced since Week 2223
Who’s the one to beat?
In 2001, Joe Cayenne was crowned the Sim’s third Horse of The Year. He was the first horse to win the award after a figurative “dream season,” winning six Grade 1 races including a spectacularly unforgettable end-of-season flurry that saw him sweep the top three turf events: the Breeders Bowl Turf, the Coalminer Cup, and the Japan Classic. The Breeders Bowl victory was especially sweet — the 5YO had previously finished second in the 2000 BB Turf.
Rbgstable’s son of Night Shift would go on to cement his legend as one of the game’s all-time greats. He won another turf championship in 2002 (despite finishing bridesmaid again in his 3rd Breeders Bowl trip). He is still the Sim’s richest racehorse with over $13-million in career earnings and of course the game’s all-time leader in Grade 1 wins at 13 triumphs.
Additionally, Joe Cayenne’s name remains synonymous with “the great turf champion.” Over multiple years, Joe Cayenne carried on the tradition of the heavyweight 12-furlong turf division. The Triple Crown Trial sophomores may dominate as the prominent stories, but the Sim’s great and most recognizable stars are undeniably from the older horse turf division. Three of the six Sim Horses of The Year hail from the turf heavyweights (School Kris(GB), Joe Cayenne, and Sunnybank Memorial).
Joe Cayenne then served as bridge between the “early days” turf heavyweight stars like Huge Tale, Foggy A.P., and Enough Knock to the “modern day” champions. During his time, he was the one to beat….. and, now, he’s the one to beat again.
Who challenges Joe Cayenne?
At 11 Grade 1 victories each, Sunnybank Memorial and Allied Assault approach the benchmark. They’re trained by Lilbitfarm (sunnybank) and Kingab (masterab).
Both horses present strikingly similar careers:
- Broke their maidens in their very first start at age 2, indicating their potential
- Scaled 90 SP# barrier on the grass at age 2
- Retreated early on to listed ranks in order to “exhaust” ALW conditions, building SP#s and stamina
- Rode long win streaks in their 3YO seasons (Allied Assault = 7, Sunnybank Memorial = 9)
- Each became Grade 1 winners in their 13th start
- Did not race versus older horses till very late in their 3YO season
- Won their Breeders Bowl Turf at age 3 (Allied Assault – 2003; Sunnybank Memorial – 2004)
- Crowned Sim Eclipse Turf champions at age 3 (AA, SM)
- Raced exclusively in Grade 1s as 4YOs (as of Week 2538)
But also some notable differences:
- While Allied Assault (War Chant) has made his entire career on the grass according to pedigree, Sunnybank Memorial (A.P. Indy) tested the dirt initially with lackluster results
- Allied Assault skipped the springtime 3YO turf classics, while Sunnybank Memorial not only entered but dominated them (Derby de English, Adelaide & Sydney Derbies winner)
- ‘Sunnybank won seven Grade 1 races at age 3, while ‘Assault won only three
- ‘Sunnybank broke the 100 SP# barrier 12 times as a sophomore; ‘Assault = 7
- Sunnybank Memorial also claimed Sim Horse Of the Year honors at age 3
Head-to-head rivalry:
Sunnybank: 2 wins (2005- John Scott Appreciation; 2004 – Breeders Bowl Turf)
Allied Assault: 1 win (2004 – Pennsylvania Turf Marathon)
So what’s the schedule?
Sunnybank Memorial (a.k.a. ‘Memo to his fans!) is the 2/1 favorite in Week 2538’s Grade 1 $500,000 Lot’s Of Luck Stakes at Ireland.
Keep an eye out for Allied Assault possibly in next week’s Grade 1 $500,000 The Victoria Plate at Victoria.
Week 2566
Race : Royally Modest Cup – Grade I – $500,000
Track : Ascot
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and three eighths on the Turf
Track : Ascot
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and three eighths on the Turf
Week 2580
Race : Sword Swallower Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track : New York
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one half on the Turf
Track : New York
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one half on the Turf
Week 2587
Race : Windy City Turf Classic – Grade I – $2,000,000
Track : Illinois
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one quarter on the Turf
Track : Illinois
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one quarter on the Turf
Week 2594, Week 2601 – none
Week 2608
Race : Man Of War Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track : New York
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and three eighths on the Turf
Race : Man Of War Stakes – Grade I – $500,000
Track : New York
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and three eighths on the Turf
Week 2622, Week 2629 – none
Week 2636
Race : Coalminer Cup – Grade I – $1,500,000
Track : Victoria
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one half on the Turf
Track : Victoria
Restrictions : All horses, 3 years old and up
Distance : A mile and one half on the Turf
In Conclusion:
A special story is in store for us all this summer — odds are good that this record shall fall before the Breeders Bowl in late October (and if not, what a BB it shall be!).
And if Allied Assault or Sunnybank Memorial breaks the record, could they lay claim then to the “best Sim horse ever” title? Will we have a new and definitive all-time great to declare as honestly as Joe Cayenne?
As always, the horses shall decide on the track……..
Good luck to all!