Royal Ship (BRZ)

Originally based in his home country of Brazil, Royal Ship was sent to the United States in 2020 and placed in the care of Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella. In his North American debut, Royal Ship finished third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap at Del Mar on Aug. 23.

Royal Ship earned his first North American graded stakes win in the Grade 2 Californian Stakes at Santa Anita Park on April 17, 2021, prevailing in a long stretch duel to defeat Country Grammer by a neck under jockey Mike Smith. In his next start, the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup on May 31, he again engaged Country Grammer in a heated stretch duel but lost to that foe by a head.

Royal Ship prevailed in his 2022 debut, when he won the John Shear Mile Stakes at Santa Anita by five lengths on April 10. After finishing third in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup Stakes May 30 at Santa Anita Park, Royal Ship renewed his rivalry with Country Grammer when he outfinished that foe to win the $300,000 San Diego Handicap July 30 at Del Mar. He subsequently ran third behind runaway winner Flightline in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes Sept. 3 at Del Mar.