Indian Charlie Rises to the Top

Until 2010, Indian Charlie ’s rise to the upper reaches of the commercial sire ranks was marked by the quality of his fillies. His runners were headed by champion 2-year-old filly and champion sprinter Indian Blessing; champion older mare Fleet Indian; and the grade I-winning Pampered Princess. That perspective changed with the arrival of Uncle Mo, brilliant winner of the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Champagne Stakes (both gr. I), and an apparent certainty to give his sire his fourth progeny Eclipse Award.

Until the appearance of Uncle Mo, Indian Charlie’s top males were the brothers My Pal Charlie and Bwana Charlie   (both out of the Halo mare Shahalo). My Pal Charlie, the younger by four years, captured the 2008 Super Derby (gr. II). Bwana Charlie was an $18,500 RNA at the Keeneland November sale as a weanling, and was $14,000 yearling purchased at Keeneland September the following year. He failed to win in five starts at 2, although he was in the frame in all five outings, scoring two seconds and three thirds. At 3, Bwana Charlie proved to be a progressive individual, taking in succession a Fair Grounds maiden, an allowance race at the same venue, and the Lafayette Stakes (gr. III), which he captured by 3¼ lengths. Third in the Derby Trial (gr. III), Bwana Charlie then ran second in the Hirsch Jacobs Stakes (beaten a head), and third in the Carry Back Stakes (gr. III), before defeating the talented speedsters Pomeroy and Weigelia in the six-furlong Amsterdam Stakes (gr. II). That duo took their revenge in the King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I), over a furlong further, finishing first and second with Bwana Charlie back in fourth. Runner-up in the Alysheba Breeders’ Cup Stakes, Bwana Charlie concluded his 3-year-old campaign with an excellent late-running fourth to Speightstown, Kela, and My Cousin Matt in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I). At that stage, he looked likely to be a major force in the sprint ranks the following year, but his four 4-year-old outings saw him finish out of contention each time.