Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone was victorious in his career debut outing which came in a 2-year-old maiden race going one mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 4, 2023. That winning effort led to a graded stakes try in his second lifetime outing in the Grade 2, $250,000 Remsen Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Aqueduct on Dec. 2. Sierra Leone made a big, menacing closing move in the Remsen to take a brief lead in deep stretch until settling for second by a nose when Dornoch was resurgent near the finish line, denying Sierra Leone the victory.

Sierra Leone returned for his 3-year-old debut in his next race on Feb. 17, 2024 in the $400,000 Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes going 1 1/8 miles at Fair Grounds, where he was sent off as the 2.70-1 favorite in a field of 12. Sierra Leone sat near the rear of the field much of the race under jockey Tyler Gaffalione and rallied from ninth to catch front running Track Phantom and win by a half a length on a sloppy, sealed racetrack. The Risen Star Stakes was a key prep race on the Road to the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and with his win, Sierra Leone earned 50 Derby qualifying points.

Trained Chad Brown Sierra Leone next sent Seirra Leone to the $1 million, Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 6 at Keeneland. The Gun Runner colt was reluctant to load in the 1 1/8-mile race but once he settled in and the race was underway, he relaxed into a comfortable rhythm near the back of the 10-horse field. Sierra Leone launched a sweeping rally on the final turn and surged into contention in early stretch, lugging in a bit through the final furlong while reeling in runner-up Just a Touch for a convincing victory. With the win, Sierra Leone solidified his status as one of the top contenders for the Kentucky Derby May 4 at Churchill Downs.

He was bred in Kentucky out of Grade 1 winner Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon. He sold for $2.3 million at auction as a yearling.