Four for Cable Bay
New first season sire winners
Cable Bay
Silk Tie (2 f ex Silky Skills by Charge Forward) provided first season sire Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit) with his third individual Australian winner when landing the 1300-metre two-year-old handicap at Canberra on Friday, with his fourth winner to come the following day. The John Thompson-trained filly improved on a debut third at the track earlier this month to defeat Clyde (Maurice) by a neck, with Left Reeling (Dundeel) another head away in third. Silk Tie is the first winner from two runners out of Silky Skills (Charge Forward), and Valiant Stud are offering a brother to Silk Tie at the upcoming Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, held between June 2 and 4. Meanwhile, Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit) recorded his fourth winner on Saturday, as the Neville Parnham-trained Flying Missile (2 f ex Magnus Missile by Magnus) won the RSLWA Trophy (1000m) at Ascot. The filly defeated stablemate Ultimate Command (Rommel) by three-quarters of a length, with Astrape (Snitzel) third, two lengths behind the winner. Flying Missile is the second foal out of Magnus Missile (Magnus), a winner of five races from nine starts, with Magnus Missile out of a half-sister to Group 2 winner Scaredee Cat (Tale Of The Cat). Cable Bay has shuttled to Woodside Park Stud since 2017, and last season stood for a fee of $9,900.
Caravaggio
Former Coolmore Australia shuttler Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) recorded his second winner on Tuesday as the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Elliptic (2 f ex Aqua De Vida by Fastnet Rock) won on debut as the 3-1 favourite in the five furlong Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at Tipperary. The win for Elliptic follows victory for the Aidan O’Brien-trained Tenebrism for the dual Group 1-winning stallion, who has leapt straight to the top of the first-season sire table in Ireland. Elliptic defeated Quick Suzy (Profitable) by a length and a half. She is the third foal out of the unraced Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Aqua De Vida, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Hebridean (Bach). Caravaggio resides at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky for a fee of US$25,000 (Approx. AU$32,000).
Extreme Choice
Xtremetime (2 f ex Peace Time by War Front) lived up to trainer John Thompson’s high opinion with a first-up victory at Canterbury on Wednesday to become the fifth first crop winner for her sire Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), four of which have been in Australia. Xtremetime, who finished fifth at Randwick on Boxing Day at her only other start, won the Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m) for two-year-old fillies by the barest of margins. She held off the closing Socialist (Capitalist) while Morioka (Maurice) ran third in a trifecta for first season sires. Xtremetime is by the same sire as Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Stay Inside and stakes performers Extreme Warrior and Tiger Of Malay. She was bought by Joe O’Neill’s Prime Thoroughbreds for $160,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm, which stands Extreme Choice. Her dam Peace Time (War Front), who is owned by S F Bloodstock, had her Hellbent (I Am Invincible) filly make $60,000 at this year’s Gold Coast sale while she has a weanling filly by More Than Ready (Southern Halo).
Ribchester
Darley stallion Ribchester (Iffraaj), Europe’s champion miler in 2016 and 2017, sired his first winner when Ruthin (2 f ex Selinka by Selkirk) won a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden special weight on the turf at Keeneland on Thursday. The filly broke sharply and led throughout to score by six lengths for trainer Wesley Ward and could be bound for Royal Ascot. Ruthin was bred by Highclere and Jake Warren, and races in the colours of Stonestreet Stables. Agent Ben McElroy purchased the filly for 350,000 guineas out of Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale in October 2020, making her the most expensive yearling from Ribchester’s first northern hemisphere crop. The filly’s dam Selinka (Selkirk) won the Oh So Sharp Stakes (Listed, 7f) and Sandown Distaff Stakes (Listed, 1m) and is out of the two-time Listed winner Lady Links (Bahaman Bounty). Ruthin is a half-sister to dual Group 3-winning sprinter Hit The Bid (Exceed And Excel). Ribchester is standing the northern hemisphere season at Kildangan Stud in Ireland for a fee of 17,500, and stood his first two southern hemisphere seasons at Darley Australia before moving to Haunui Farm in New Zealand to stand at a fee of NZ$15,000.
Swear
Morecoruba (2 g ex Starnuto by Amalfi), a homebred for trainer Julien Welsh, won the Spendthrift Australia 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) at Pakenham on Thursday night to become the second first crop winner for Swear (Redoute’s Choice). The gelding, who ran fifth at the same course behind Saturday’s ATC Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) contender Patton (American Pharoah) on March 25, scored by one and a quarter lengths over Bring The Stars (Sebring) and Blushing Tycoon (Written Tycoon) who was another long head away in third. Swear, who stands at Victoria-based Spendthrift Australia, is also the sire of the Hawkes Racing-trained Faulds, the winner of his only start at Geelong last December. Swear has stood for a fee of $5,500 (inc GST) the past three seasons after retiring to stud in 2017 as the winner of the Ming Dynasty Handicap Gr 3, 1400m).
Vadamos
Art De Triomphe (2 f ex Art Beat by Captain Rio) followed up an encouraging debut third with a gritty display at Riccarton to provide Rich Hill Stud resident Vadamos (Monsun) with his first Southern Hemisphere winner on Saturday, to the delight of trainer Andrew Carston: “She is a filly with a lot of scope for development, so what she is doing now is just a bonus as I think you will see a pretty smart type as a three-year-old. You wouldn’t think she would make a two-year-old, but I think it is the Captain Rio influence on her dam’s side that has an influence there.” Black type looks to be next on the agenda for Art De Triomphe, with the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1200m) back at Riccarton being nominated by Carston as the intended target. Art De Triomphe is from the first New Zealand crop of European Group 1 winner Vadamos, who has shuttled to Rich Hill Stud since 2017. Vadamos was the leading first season sire at the 2020 Karaka New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale and stood for $NZ15,000 in 2020.
Winning Rupert
Winning Verse (2 f ex She’s Poetry by Dylan Thomas) backed up her solid trial form behind recent Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Jamaea (Headwater) to win on debut in the 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday and become the fourth individual winner for Newgate’s Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon). The Marc Conners-trained filly drew clear in a fast-run affair to defeat Field Wiri (Deep Field) by half a length, with another one and three-quarter lengths back to I Am Geronimo (I Am Invincible) in third. Winning Verse, a NZ$10,000 purchase out of last year’s NZB Karaka Yearling Sale Book 2, is the first winner from two to race out of winning mare She’s Poetry (Dylan Thomas), who was a $4,000 buy for John Schmidt at last year’s Magic Millions Online December Sale. She was covered by Aquis Farm’s Lean Mean Machine (Zoustar) last year.
New Group/Grade 1 winners
All Too Hard
The locally-trained Wellington (4 g ex Mihiri by More Than Ready) proved himself the leading force in Hong Kong’s sprint division when winning the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Gr 1, 1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, becoming the fourth individual Group 1 winner and 20th stakes winner for Vinery stallion All Too Hard (Casino Prince). Since his acquisition to race in Hong Kong, Wellington has posted seven wins from ten starts for trainer Richard Gibson and in Sunday’s sprint feature he defeated Computer Patch (Exceed And Excel) by a length and a half, with Sky Field (Deep Field) third in a photo. Japanese raider Danon Smash (Lord Kanaloa) finished sixth. Bred by Kia Ora Stud, Wellington was sold as a yearling to Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm for $70,000. Out of the stakes-placed Mihiri (More Than Ready), the half-sister to Wellington by Star Witness (Starcraft) was an $80,000 purchase for Tricolours Racing out of the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this year. All Too Hard, the sire of this season’s Group 1 winner Forbidden Love, will stand for a fee of $33,000 in 2021.
Capitalist
The rampant success of this season’s first season sires continued as Captivant (2 c ex Speedboat by Commands) propelled his sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon) to the top of the leading first season and two-year-old sire charts when landing the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m), providing a first Group 1 winner for the Newgate Farm resident. Captivant defeated Hilal (Fastnet Rock) by a quarter of a length, with Converge (Frankel) third, a further length and a half in arrears. Captivant, a $550,000 purchase for Newgate Farm, China Horse Club and Starlight Racing from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, is the third foal to race out of Speedboat (Commands). She has a weanling and yearling colt, both by Hellbent (I Am Invincible). Captivant’s winning half-sister, Anna Cecelia (More Than Ready), is due to be sold at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 7 as Lot 6. Capitalist, who has sired stakes winners Profiteer, Kalashnikov and Tycoon Humma from his first crop, stood for a fee of $55,000 in 2020.
New stakes winners
Adlerflug
German sire Adlerflug (In The Wings), who died as a 17-year-old earlier this month, sired his 17th stakes winner when Alenquer (3 c ex Wild Blossom by Areion) battled on to land the Classic Trial (Gr 3, 1, 2f) at Sandown on Friday under Tom Marquand, at only his third start. The William Haggas-trained three-year-old found the front early in the home straight and kept on under a determined ride to hold off the gradual closer Adayar (Frankel) by half a length with Yibir (Dubawi) a further neck behind in third. Alenquer is out of the mile winner Wild Blossom from a top-class German family that also features champion Hong Kong stayer Mr Medici (Medicean). The colt was purchased as a foal by BBA Ireland for €18,000 out of the La Motteraye consignment at the 2018 Arqana Breeding Stock Sale, before being sold as a yearling for 80,000gns at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale. Adlerflug won the German Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) in 2007.
American Pharoah
The Bob Baffert-trained As Time Goes By (4 f ex Take Charge Lady by Dehere) pulverised her Santa Margarita Stakes (Gr 2, 8f) rivals, winning by nine and a quarter lengths on Sunday to earn Coolmore shuttler American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) his 15th individual stakes winner. Runner-up to Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil) in the Beholder Mile Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) on her last start, As Time Goes By proved too good for her four rivals back in Group 2 company, defeating This Tea (Curlin), while Harvest Moon (Qaraaba) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third. Out of multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady (Dehere), As Time Goes By is a half-sister to top-level scorers Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy) and Will Take Charge (Unbridled’s Song). Eight-time Group 1 winner American Pharoah, who stood for $55,000 at Coolmore Australia last year, has so far sired three elite-level winners.
Atlante
Four-year-old mare Mai Tai (4 m ex Tropical Punch by Faltaat) took her record to five wins from ten starts and recorded a first win at stakes level when running out a comfortable three-quarter length winner in the Anzac Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Awapuni. The Jamie Richards-trained Mai Tai defeated Quiz Kid (Iffraaj), with Pierina (Savabeel) in third, and became the fourth individual stakes winner for her ill-fated former Mapperley stallion Atlante (Fastnet Rock), who has sired Group 1 winner Callsign Mav this season. “She’s a promising mare who has just taken time to mature,” Richards said. “She’s been getting better all season and has worked her way nicely through the grades. She can have a break now and come back for the spring.”
Fastnet Rock (pictured)
Groundswell (4 g ex The Broken Shore by Hussonet), a brother to three-time Group 1 winner Shoals, got off the mark at stakes level on Saturday with victory in the City Of Adelaide Handicap (Listed, 1400m) at Morphettville to become the 172nd individual stakes winner for Fastnet Rock (Danehill). The four-year-old was placed in the Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600) as a three-year-old, but had remained winless since his maiden success at Geelong in 2019 prior to this season, however he added a fourth win this term as he defeated Morvada (Mossman) by a length and a quarters, with Master Chum (Clangalang) in third. The son of The Broken Shore (Hussonet) was a $2.3 million purchase for Anthony Freedman from the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, while the mare was put in foal to Written Tycoon (Iglesia) last year. Coolmore stalwart Fastnet Rock has sired 17 stakes winners this season in Australasia, three at Group 1 level, namely Classic winners Rocket Spade and Personal, as well as Avantage.
Futura
Warrior (3 c ex Nona In Command by Commands) landed the Variety Club Mile (Gr 3, 1600m) at Greyville on Saturday, his third win in a row, to earn Futura (Dynasty) his fifth individual stakes winner. The Justin Snaith-trained Warrior defeated Firealley (Flower Alley) by a neck, with Marina (Silvano) a further half-length back in third. Warrior is the second foal out of Australian-bred Listed-winning mare Nona In Command (Commands), whose first foal Pretty Young Thing (Jackson) is a dual Grade 3 winner in South Africa. Futura stands at Drakenstein Stud in South Africa.
Kingman
Godolphin’s Wirko (3 c ex Weltmacht by Mount Nelson) landed the Blue Riband Trial (Listed, 1m 2f) at Epsom on Tuesday to earn Kingman (Invincible Spirit) his 33rd individual stakes winner, with his 34th coming later in the week. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt stormed home late under William Buick to run down Epsom Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f) entry Technique (Mastercraftsman) by a head, with the John and Thady Gosden-trained favourite Uncle Bryn (Sea The Stars) two lengths behind the winner in third. Meanwhile, Waldkonig (4 c ex Waldlerche by Monsun) took the Gordon Richards Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 2f) at Sandown on Friday to become Kingman’s 34th individual stakes winner. The John and Thady Gosden-trained improver stalked the front-runner under Frankie Dettori until shaken up to lead with less than three furlongs to race and forged on to hold the pressing Desert Encounter (Halling) by a length and a quarter with Extra Elusive (Mastercraftsman) two and half lengths behind in third. The Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park homebred took his tally to three wins from five starts, as he stepped up off a Pontefract handicap win on April 6. Waldkonig is out of the Prix Penelope (Gr 3, 1m 2.5f) winner Walderleche, making him a half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Waldgeist (Galileo). Kingman stands at Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of 150,000 (approx. AU$272,635).
Kodi Bear
Measure Of Magic (3 f ex Lilly Be by Titus Livius) made a winning return at Navan on Sunday when landing the Committed Stakes (Listed, 5.5f). The Johnny Murtagh-owned and trained filly became second season sire Kodi Bear’s (Kodiac) second individual stakes winner after battling to a three-quarter-length victory over Logo Hunter (Brazen Beau), with 6-5 favourite Lipizzaner (Uncle Mo) another length and a half back in third. Measure Of Magic, who had previously placed three times in stakes company including when third in the Flying Childers Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) last year, joins Stonehenge Stakes (Listed, 1m) winner Cobh as stakes winners for Kodi Bear, who took out the 2015 Celebration Mile (Gr 2, 1m) at Goodwood.
Mehmas
Fayathaan (3 c ex Beauty Of The Sea by Elusive Quality) got off the mark in Italy when landing the Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) (Gr 3, 1600m) at Rome on Sunday, becoming the eighth individual stakes winner for second season sire Mehmas (Acclamation). The colt was switched to Roberto Biondi’s yard from Mark Loughnane earlier this year and finished fifth on his first Italian start at Milan on April 4. He showed notable improvement from that performance to see off Cirano (Arcano) in a photo-finish after a fierce battle in the closing stages. Wopart (Helmet) was two lengths behind in third. Mehmas, the sire of last year’s Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) winner Supremacy, stands at Tally Ho Stud in Ireland for €25,000 (approx. AU$39,000).
Mingun
Stormy Ocean (7 g ex Stormy Girl by Inchrory) caused an almighty shock when landing the Spring Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Jägersro on Sunday to earn Mingun (A.P. Indy) his fourth individual stakes winner. Making his 29th start, the Jacob Johansen-trained gelding finished ahead of Couples (Helmet) and Duca Di Como (Clodovil), who was sent off as the 1-20 favourite.
Mujahid
Tiaspettofuori (3 c ex Fly Queen by Dashing Blade) became Mujahid’s (Danzig) 31st individual stakes winner on Sunday when taking out the Premio Botticelli (Listed, 2100m) at Rome. The Devis Grilli-trained colt held on to deny the late challenge of fast-finishing Rio Natal (Sir Prancealot) in a photo-finish, with Sopran Poseidone (Gutaifan) half a length back in third. Mujahid, the sire of top-level scorers Cleo Fan and Danleigh, was retired from stallion duties in 2018.
Power
Nigel Tiley-trained juvenile Lady Maroal (2 f ex Lady Dehere by Dehere) claimed her first stakes success at Ellerslie on Saturday in an eventful Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) and became the 19th individual stakes winner for her sire Power (Oasis Dream), who stands at Oaklands Stud in Queensland. As the field approached the 600-metre marker they were faced with two maintenance workers on the track directly in front of them. The workers dived under the railing out of the way, but all the runners were forced to take evasive action and were inconvenienced. Lady Maroal recovered from the incident and went on to battle out the finish with Atullibigeal (Street Boss) and prevailed by a head, while Nest Egg (Reliable Man) was a distant third. Co-bred and raced by Maroal Bloodstock Ltd’s Ron Saunders, Lady Maroal is out of the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Lady Dehere (Dehere), who is also the dam of stakes winners Oracy (Zabeel) and The Lady (Stravinsky). “It’s an amazing result for the owner, who’s 94 years old and he was on course today. He also bred this filly, and bred her mother as well, so it’s just a great result for him. He’s an absolute legend, that guy.” Tiley said. “She doesn’t need to do any more this season, so she’ll head out for a break now and won’t come back until the spring.”.
Poet’s Voice
Whisper Not (4 c ex Poyle Meg by Dansili) landed the San Francisco Mile (Gr 3, 8f) at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday to become the 22nd individual stakes winner for the late Poet’s Voice (Dubawi). Whisper Not finished third in his only previous start in Group 2 company at Santa Anita on Boxing Day and justified favoritism this time around to defeat Keeper Ofthe Stars (Midnight Lute) by a head, with Restrainedvengence (Hold Me Back) another two lengths back in third. Sunday’s win was also Whisper Not’s first success in the United States, having won twice in Britain when under the care of Richard Hannon. Poet’s Voice suffered a fatal heart attack at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in 2018, aged 11.
Point Of Entry
Corelli (6 g ex Vignette by Diesis) landed the Henry S Clark Stakes (Listed, 8.5f) at Pimlico on Saturday to become the 11th individual stakes winner for Point Of Entry (Dynaformer). The Jonathan Thomas-trained Corelli, who placed in the United Nations Stakes (Gr 1, 11f) last year, defeated favourite Pixelate (City Zip) by a nose. Dreams Of Tomorrow (Speightstown) was a length and a quarter further behind in third. Point Of Entry stands at Adena Springs in Kentucky.
Press Statement
Incredulous Dream (3 f ex Incredulous by Keep The Faith) is starting to build a useful record for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, and indeed her Vinery second season sire, Press Statement (Hinchinbrook). She took her figures to four wins from nine starts, and saluted at stakes level for the first time in the Nitschke Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday and became the second individual stakes winner for Press Statement. A $340,000 purchase for Brad Spicer out of the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the grey-brown filly is a half-sister to dual Group 2 winner Global Exchange (Dundeel), who now plys his trade as Enjoying in Hong Kong. The mare was covered by Invader (Snitzel) last season. Press Statement, whose first stakes winner Equation won the Canberra Guineas (Listed, 1400m) last month, will stand this season at an unchanged $13,750 (inc GST).
Rio De La Plata
Moderator (4 g ex Monarquia by Danehill Dancer) took out the Le Vase D’Argent (Listed, 2000m) at Toulouse on Sunday, earning Rio De La Plata (Rahy) his seventh individual stakes winner, all coming at Listed level. Moderator defeated race favourite and dual stakes winner Fantastic Spirit (Charm Spirit) by two and a half lengths. Kabir (Lord Of England) was a quarter of a length further behind in third.
Rock Of Gibraltar
33-1 chance Rocky Sky (3 f ex Road Tosky by Elusive City) caused an upset when bolting up in the Salsabil Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) at Navan on Sunday to provide trainer Ross O’Sullivan with his first stakes winner. Benefitting from a smart front-running ride from jockey Gary Halpin, Rocky Sky was unable to be reeled in by her 14 rivals and scored by four and a quarter lengths from fellow 33-1 chance French Fusion (Harzand). Sacred Rhyme (Lope De Vega) was another length and a quarter behind in third. The win earned Coolmore’s former shuttle stallion Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill), the sire of Australian-bred top-level scorers Alboran Sea, Rock Kingdom and Seventh Rock, his 135th individual stakes winner.
Sacred Falls
All Hallows’ Eve (3 f ex Halloween by Encosta De Lago) joined her sister All Saints’ Eve as a stakes winner for Sacred Falls (O’Reilly), the fourth for the ill-fated Waikato Stud stallion, after winning the JHB Carr Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Randwick on Saturday. Racing in the Rosemont Stud colours, All Hallows’ Eve was the beneficiary of a well judged Jamie Kah ride to defeat Elizabeel (Power) by half a length with I Say Hello (Iffraaj) third, a neck further back. All Hallows’ Eve is the third stakes winner for her dam, Halloween (Encosta De Lago), who was an $11,000 purchase for Waikato Stud in 2013. She has also produced NZ 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Hasahalo (Savabeel). Sacred Falls died in 2019 having covered five books.
Screen Hero
Cool Cat (3 f ex Mejiro Tonkinese by Dance In The Dark) landed the Flora Stakes (Japanese Oaks Trial) (Gr 2, 2000m) at Tokyo on Sunday to take her sire Screen Hero (Grass Wonder) into double figures for individual stakes winners. Having finished unplaced in her three previous starts at Group 3 level, the Takeshi Okumura-trained Cool Cat showed notable improvement under Christophe-Patrice Lemaire to defeat rank outsider Slyly (Orfevre) by a length, with Uberleben (Gold Ship) a nose further behind in third. Among Screen Hero’s ten stakes winners are top-level scorers Gold Actor and Maurice, with the latter set to shuttle to Arrowfield Stud this year. Screen Hero stands for a private fee at Lex Stud in Japan.
Sea The Stars
Light Stars (3 f ex Sureyya by Monsun) got off the mark in stakes company when landing the Prix Caravelle (Listed, 2100m) at Toulouse on Sunday, becoming individual stakes winner number 75 for Sea The Stars (Cape Cross). The lightly-raced Jean-Claude Rouget-trained filly was making her third start and comfortably defeated Lingering Dream (Oasis Dream) by two and a half lengths, with Aspirante (Myboycharlie) a length and a three-quarters further behind in third. Six-time Group 1 winner Sea The Stars is currently standing at Gilltown Stud in Ireland for a fee of €150,000 (approx. AU$234,225).
Sebring
Three Kings (2 c ex Princess Emmy by King’s Chapel) recorded back-to-back victories and seamlessly stepped up to stakes level after winning the Anzac Day Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington on Sunday. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained colt defeated Biscayne Bay to record a quinella for Sebring (More Than Ready) and bring up a 66th individual stakes winner for the deceased former Widden Stud stallion, while El Rocko (Fastnet Rock) was third. Three Kings was bred by Widden Stud who remain in the ownership of the colt having passed in at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is a brother to 2015 MRC Chairman’s Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) winner Thurlow.
Shocking
Hezashocka (3 g ex Shezakiwi by Brilliance) stepped up and broke his maiden in style when landing the Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (Gr 2, 2100m) at Ellerslie on Saturday and became the 13th individual stakes winner for Shocking (Street Cry), who stands at Rich Hill Stud. The gelding, who is owned by legendary former Ellerslie commentator Keith Haub, was making just his third start, having finished second on debut over 1400 metres in a Pukekhoe maiden March and five and a half lengths fifth in a 1500-metre open handicap at Ellerslie earlier this month. Trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, the three-year-old was sent off an unfancied 75-1 shot and he got up in a photo from Joy Alone (Roc De Cambes) while Milford Sound (Ocean Park) was third. “What a thrill,” Haub said. “I’ve been lucky enough to stand on the dais a few times over the years, and raced some fantastic horses, but it’s been a long time between drinks. This is probably one of my greatest moments in racing. I’m just so grateful to the Clotworthy family for inviting me to be involved and giving me a share in this horse.” Hezashocka is out of the placed Shezakiwi (Brilliance) and he was bought by Clotworthy for NZ$18,000 at Karaka in 2019.
Soldier Hollow
Deia (4 m ex Divya by Platini) landed the Brümmerhof Cup (Listed, 1900m) at Hannover on Sunday to become individual stakes winner number 48 for Soldier Hollow (In The Wings). The Peter Schiergen-trained four-year-old, who was placed at Listed level at Toulouse last year when trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, defeated Sister Heart (Areion) by a length, with Blue Dream (Adlerflug) another half-length back in third. Soldier Hollow stands at Gestüt Auenquelle in Germany.
Tavistock
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Through Irish Eyes (3 g ex Zapurple by Zabeel) became the 28th individual stakes winner for Tavistock (Montjeu) after claiming the VRC St Leger (Listed, 2800m) at Flemington on Sunday. After settling in midfield off a fast tempo set by his stablemate Silicon Valley (Americain), Through Irish Eyes hit the front at the 400-metre mark and, despite wandering off a true line in the straight, held off the challenge of Salto Angel (Sacred Falls) by a length, with Favreau (Tavistock) a head further back in third as New Zealand-breds ran the trifecta. Racing in the same silks as Nature Strip (Nicconi), Through Irish Eyes was a $150,000 purchase from the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. Out of Group 3 winner Zapurple (Zabeel), Through Irish Eyes is a half-brother to the stakes-placed Anchor Bid (High Chaparral).
Toronado
Flashy grey Senor Toba (3 g ex Bahamas by Teofilo) sprung a surprise in the Frank Packer Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) at Randwick on Saturday, to continue the rampant run of his Swettenham sire Toronado (High Chaparral), becoming the 12th individual stakes winner for the stallion, his sixth this season. Racing in the Hermitage Thoroughbreds silks, Senor Toba defeated High Supremacy (Savabeel) by a length and a quarter, with runaway leader Achiever (Pride Of Dubai) holding on for third, as the gelding gave trainer Chris Waller a third win over the last four years in the race. Senor Toba was a $180,000 purchase from the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, and is the first foal out of Teofilo (Galileo) mare Bahamas, a half-sister to last year’s Matriarch Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) winner Affair To Remember (Toronado). The mare has a yearling colt by Territories (Invincible Spirit) and a weanling filly by Frosted (Tapit), while she was placed in foal to Harry Angel (Dark Angel) last year. Toronado stood last season for $27,500 at Swettenham Stud, who have suggested his fee will be increased in 2021, having covered 210 mares in 2020.
Zoffany
The Christophe Ferland-trained Perseverants (3 c ex Perle Rare by Distorted Humor) took out the Prix Aymeri de Mauleon (Listed, 1600m) at Toulouse on Sunday to provide former Australian shuttler Zoffany (Dansili) with his 39th individual stakes winner. Perseverants was placed in Listed company on his season return last month and improved from that effort to defeat Mouillage (Toronado) by a nose, with Seventh Kingdom (Frankel) a short head further behind in third. Coolmore stallion Zoffany died in January this year.