What’s In A Name? Tenango

One of the more eye-catching winners on L’Ormarins King’s Plate Day was the smart sprinter Tenango. Making only his 10th career start, and third for the season following a successful wind op, he hunted down the tearaway The Abdicator, to go past and win over the 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in style, in a fast 56.94sec carrying 60kg.

He was raised six points for the win, to a career high MR 98, but there looks to be more to come given his form since the operation.

Tenango is a four-year-old gelding by Canford Cliffs out of the Trippi mare Tripadvisor. He was bred by Ian Longmore who also owns him and races in his red, yellow and blue silks.

The word Tenango is most popular as a style of embroidery that originated in the Mexican municipality by that name. It’s also a Guatemala rum, so it was interesting to ask the owner and breeder, a well-travelled, popular man, which of the two inspired the naming. 

“Neither,” laughs Longmore. “But close! Tenango’s name is inspired by ‘Acatenango’, a dormant volcano in Guatemala that my wife and daughter hiked in 2019, offering a stunning view of an active volcano erupting. 

“Being out of Canford Cliffs and Tripadvisor, I wanted a name that was personal to our family and our travels. ‘Tenango’ felt like the perfect tribute to that unforgettable adventure. I shortened Acatenango to make it easier for commentators while preserving the essence of the name,” he explains.

Perhaps the next time Tenango races and comes through the way he did on L’Ormarins King’s Plate day, the commentator might want to use the phrase, “Tenango erupts from the pack with a winning run!”