Passage East retired after sesamoid fracture; will enter auction as broodmare prospect
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Passage East, a 4-year-old filly who rocketed to the highest ranks of the Mid-Atlantic region earlier this year, suffered a sesamoid fracture in her last start at Laurel Park, cutting her career short at its peak. The Hugh McMahon trainee will go to auction as a broodmare prospect at the Fasig-Tipton “Night of the Stars” sale in November.
According to McMahon, Passage East sustained the injury in May, when she ran third in the $125,000 Skipat. Upon inspection after the race, McMahon discovered the fracture and still struggled to describe his reaction a month later.
“There was more for her, if not for the injury,” McMahon said. “I think she would have probably won that race too if she didn't get injured the way she did.”
In December 2024, McMahon claimed Passage East for $30,000 in her second career start and never entered her for a tag again. A runner-up in her first five maiden tries, she went on to win eight of her next 11 starts while gradually stepping up in class.
After winning the $100,000 What a Summer overnight handicap at Laurel in January, McMahon decided to take his shot in the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie the following month. Despite going off as the third choice behind stakes winners Takethemoneyhoney and Dry Powder, she took advantage of a perfect stalking trip under Sheldon Russell to win the prestigious race by a nose.
Passage East ended her career with a pair of third-place finishes in stakes company, the last one coming in the $125,000 Skipat at Laurel.
“It was just bad,” McMahon said. “She went into it pretty healthy and I think she just took a bad step that injured her. But there’s redemption. It was a $30,000 acquisition, and she's worth at least $300,000 as a broodmare.”
Bred in Kentucky by the Don Alberto Corporation, Passage East never finished out of the money in 16 career starts. She earned eight victories and $506,000 in purse money, a massive return for McMahon and owner Larry Rabold.
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