Pneumatic and His Progeny Head to the Sales Ring Backed by Strong Support

The first yearlings by Uncle Mo's son Pneumatic are shaping up as major attractions in the sales ring this season

Pneumatic and His Striking Presence on Display at Abolengo / HARAS ABOLENGO

If there's one thing Julio Menditeguy has in Pneumatic, it's faith. “No stallion at Haras Abolengo has ever received the kind of support we've given him,” said the farm's owner when asked about the mares he had lined up for the Uncle Mo son, whose first yearlings will make their debut in the ring this season—and are already generating serious buzz.

“It’s rare that I fall for a horse the way I did with Pneumatic. I was determined to bring him to Abolengo as a stallion,” Menditeguy added back in July of 2022, when Turf Diario first broke the news of the stallion’s arrival in Argentina. “Despite the country's economic circumstances, we've made a major effort, and he's already with us, set to begin covering mares this August.”

Trained by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, the dark bay enjoyed a brief but productive career on the track, winning 3 races from 8 starts at three, and banking $275,390. He broke his maiden impressively at Oaklawn Park, sprinting 6 furlongs in 1:09.83 despite a poor break—a performance that earned him TDN Rising Star honors. He returned to score again going a mile at the same venue before finishing third behind Maxfield (Street Sense) in the GIII Matt Winn S., and then fourth in the GI Belmont S., behind Tiz the Law (Constitution).

His biggest win came in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park, where he cruised to victory over Jesus's Team (Tapiture), a future runner-up in the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Pneumatic’s final start came in the GI Preakness S., where he was among the contenders before an injury forced an early retirement.

While his racing résumé is impressive, Pneumatic brings even more to the table through pedigree. He is out of Teardrop, a stakes-placed mare who is a full-sister to GIII winner War Echo—dam of GIII winner Munitions (War Front)—and to stakes winner Farrier. Teardrop is also a half-sister to Pyro (Pulpit), winner of the GI Forego S., and black-type performer Longview Drive (Pulpit).

Pneumatic’s fourth dam is the influential Carols Christmas (Whitesburg), a noted Blue Hen whose descendants include Olympio (Naskra), Untapable (Tapit), and Cuvee (Carson City).

Pneumatic’s first crop consists of 94 foals, with Abolengo supporting him heavily in year one. Among the top-class broodmares he covered were Embrace Moi (Ride the Rails), Equipada (Sunray Spirit), Gamuza Fina (Equal Stripes), Intense Look (Halo Sunshine), Baby Gala (Sunray Spirit), Bamba Linda (Equal Stripes), Barbie Girl (Giant’s Causeway), Carmelinda (Editor’s Note), Tesálica (Orpen), Empress Style (Sunray Spirit), Sa Talaia (Equal Stripes), Mariah Plus (Alpha Plus), Got Faith (Orpen), Lemoncella (Southern Halo), City and the Sex (Equal Stripes), Paula Sexy (Ride the Rails), Stormy Niña (Bernstein), Contessa Linda (Lizard Island), and Evidancer (Candy Stripes)—all stakes winners or producers.

He also received mares from many other top Argentine farms, including San Benito, El Chañar, La Madrina, 14 de Julio, Zoraida, El Trébol, Juan Antonio, El Arroyo, El Doguito, and La Nobleza.

Several of Pneumatic’s most eye-catching first-crop yearlings will be offered at the upcoming Gran Venta Selecta de Abolengo, including siblings to stakes performers such as Intense for Me (Fortify), In Your Honor (Asiatic Boy), Cool Day (John F Kennedy), Satu (Catcher In the Rye), Earth God (Cosmic Trigger), Bella Giulia (Scat Daddy), and Mi Chica Ideal (Daddy Long Legs), among others.

With the kind of genetic power and breeder support behind him, it’s not hard to picture Pneumatic making a name for himself through his progeny on the racetrack. Now, it’s up to the stallion to deliver.