Mike Repole buys interest in Kentucky Derby-bound Mo Donegal

A minority interest in Wood Memorial winner Mo Donegal has been sold to Mike Repole in advance of the colt's run in next Saturday’s Kentucky Derby, majority owner Donegal Racing announced Friday.

Repole, whose racing silks feature the blue and orange colors of his beloved New York Mets, campaigned Mo Donegal's sire, 2010 Eclipse Award champion juvenile Uncle Mo. That Coolmore stallion has already sired a Kentucky Derby winner in Nyquist. Uncle Mo was trained by Todd Pletcher, who also handles Mo Donegal.

“We couldn’t be happier than we are to have Mike Repole join us as a partner in Mo Donegal’s quest to win the Kentucky Derby,” Donegal Racing president Jerry Crawford said in a release. "With Donegal bringing 300 partners and friends to the Derby and Mike bringing his entourage, Mo will have more support than the New York Mets."

Donegal purchased Mo Donegal for $250,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale.

With an ownership stake in Mo Donegal, Repole now has interests in Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders in Pletcher's barn. He, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House own Ashland Stakes winner Nest, who runs in the Oaks next Friday.

“In my 15 years of racing, this will be the first time I am partners with someone who has a bigger entourage than my own," Repole said of his partnership with Donegal. "While having some great conversations with Jerry, this partnership made so much sense for Repole Stable. Being trained by Todd Pletcher, being ridden by Irad Ortiz and most special, being a son of my sire Uncle Mo."