Grade II winner Worldly Manner, who was purchased privately by Godolphin in the fall of his 2-year-old season in 1998, died April 26 from a heart attack while covering a mare at David Bailey’s Two B Rockin Ranch near Bridgeport, Texas. The 14-year-old son of Riverman out of the stakes-winning Flying Paster mare Lady Pastor was owned by Bailey and White Cat Farm.
Worldly Manner was a two-time grade II winner as a homebred for John and Betty Mabee’s Golden Eagle Farm while trained by Bob Baffert. Based in California, Worldly Manner won three of four starts at 2, including the Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) and the Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), each by five lengths. Following the Futurity, he was purchased by Godolphin, which was founded by Sheikh Mohammed, and sent to Dubai. The purchase price was reported to be $5 million.
Worldly Manner contested a trial race in Dubai leading up to the 1999 Kentucky Derby (gr. I). In the Run for the Roses for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, he raced close to the leaders for the first part of the race and was second at the quarter pole but later weakened and finished seventh to winner Charismatic.
Worldly Manner ran in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), finishing 12th. Sent overseas, he failed to win in Dubai and in England. He exited racing with three wins from a dozen starts and earnings of $251,857.
Returned to North America, Worldly Manner stood in Florida, California, and Oklahoma before standing at Two B Rockin Ranch. He is represented by 72 horses of racing age. His 29 winners include stakes winners Kilbride Rd, Little Grey Lady, Spot the Diplomat, and Taziano.