Stallion Watch
New winners
Shalaa – Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) was represented by his seventh individual winner from his first northern hemisphere crop on Saturday when Legal Attack (2 c ex Lauren Louise by Tagula) struck on debut at Newmarket. The Simon and Ed Crisford trained juvenile was sent off as favourite and looks a colt of promise as he came from last, making rapid headway in the final furlong to win comfortably by three quarters of a length. He was a 250,000gns Craven Breeze-Up purchase and holds an entry in the Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f). Bred by Toby Barker, he is a half-brother to stakes winner Blaine and Bogart and is out of the winning Tagula (Taufan) mare Lauren Louise. Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny (Gr 1, 6f) winner Shalaa will stand this season at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST). His seven winners include four horses that have just missed the placings in Group company with Cherie Amour, Shalaalaa and No Speak Alexander each running fourth in Group contests.
New Group 1 winners
All Too Hard – Behemoth (5 g ex Penny Banger by Zedrich) became the second Group 1 winner for Vinery Stud’s All Too Hard (Casino Prince) from four crops to race when he took out yesterday’s Memsie Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Caulfield. Behemoth joined Alligator Blood as a top-level winner for All Too Hard, the half-brother to unbeaten champion sprinter Black Caviar (Bel Esprit). All Too Hard is standing at Vinery Stud for $27,500 (inc GST) this season.
Hat Trick – Dual Listed scorer Win Win Win (4 c ex Miss Smarty Pants by Smarty Jones) claimed a first Group 1 success in the Forego Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Saratoga and became the seventh individual elite-level winner for his late sire Hat Trick (Sunday Silence). The four-year-old was at the rear of the field but made progress in the final two furlongs and stayed on strongly to get up by half a length at the line. Complexity (Maclean’s Music) returned second, three-quarters of a length ahead of True Timber (Mineshaft). The winner of last year’s Belmont Manila Stakes (Listed, 8f) and Pasco Stakes (Listed, 7f), Win Win Win was down the field in the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) and Preakness Stakes (Gr 1, 9.5 f) on his only other two tries in this grade. Former Gainesway stallion Hat Trick died last month at the age of 19 at Haras Springfield in Brazil.
Master Of My Fate – Master Of My Fate (Jet Master) sired his second elite level winner when Sentbydestiny (3 f ex Princess Tobin by Badger Land) came out on top in a close finish to the Premiers Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Greyville on Saturday. Just two necks split the first three home as the Glen Kotzen-trained filly got the verdict over Nourbese (Futura) and Crimson King (Dynasty). Master Of My Fate stands at Varsfontein Stud for a fee of 30,000 ZAR (approx AUD$2,500) in 2020.
Var – Anything Goes (3 f ex Dance Domain by Parade Leader) stretched her unbeaten record to four as she made a successful debut in stakes company to give Var (Forest Wildcat) a 12th individual elite level winner courtesy of a success in the Thekwini Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Greyville on Saturday, Making her first start as a three-year-old, the Stuart Pettigrew-trained filly edged out War Of Athena (Act Of War) by a neck, with Princess Calla (Flower Alley) a further three lengths back in third. Now the sire of 52 individual stakes winners, Var stands at Avontuur Farm Stud for a private fee.
New stakes winners
Alamosa – Wellfield Lodge veteran Alamosa (O’Reilly) brought up his 18th stakes winner on Saturday when Sky Punch (6 g ex Grey Swan by Daylami) took out the Leon Macdonald Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Morphettville. The Michael Hickmott-trained Sky Punch, who was purchased by Hickmott’s accountant Andrew Maloney for $30,000 through the Inglis Digital August 2019 auction, scored a first stakes win when taking out the Leon Macdonald Stakes, defeating Morvada (Mossman) by three-quarters of a length with odds-on favourite Dalasan (Dalakhani) a half-length away in third. Sky Punch is the fourth named foal out of the unplaced mare Grey Swan, a three-quarter sister to Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) winner Grey Swallow (Daylami). Alamosa stands at Wellfield Lodge once more this season, with his price available on application.
Belardo – Haunui Farm shuttler Belardo (Lope De Vega) sired his first stakes winner when Isabella Giles (2 f ex Majestic Dubawi by Dubawi) put her rivals firmly in their place with a runaway win in Saturday’s Prestige Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Goodwood. The Clive Cox-trained juvenile was winning for the third time in four starts as she pulled well clear under and hands and heels ride from Adam Kirby to beat the staying on Prado (Iffraaj) by a comfortable seven lengths. Seattle Rock (Fastnet Rock) was another head away in third. Isabella Giles is the fifth foal out of the Group 3 juvenile winner Majestic Dubawi, three of whom have won. Belardo stands at Hanuai Farm for a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST).
Congrats – Former American shuttle stallion Congrats (A P Indy) recorded his 40th individual stakes winner on Saturday and his second Australian-bred stakes winner overall when In Good Health (5 m ex Fitness by More Than Ready) caused a boilover in the Heatherlie Stakes (Listed, 1700m). The Peter Moody-trained In Good Health entered off a Benchmark 70 handicap win at Sandown and was accordingly sent off at 60-1. Pushing forward from a wide gate under Luke Nolen, she gradually improved through the first half of the race to end up outside leader Think We’re Due (So You Think) by the 1000 metres. Ridden up on straightening, she looked under siege from Sircconi (Nicconi) on her outside and Game Keeper (Fastnet Rock) between horses. However, she fought on strongly to win by a half-head to Sircconi with Game Keeper a long neck away in third. Congrats stood four seasons at Vinery Stud, from 2011 to 2014. He stood for US$10,000 at WinStar Farm in Kentucky this year.
Dutch Art – Brad The Brief (3 g ex Kenzadargent by Kendargent) did just enough to see off the challenge of the fast finishing Summerghand (Lope De Vega) and take out the Hopeful Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Newmarket on Saturday. Registering his fifth win in eight starts, the Tom Dascombe-trained gelding became the 38th individual stakes winner for Dutch Art (Medicean). Stewards’ Cup (6f) winner Summerghand was doing his best work late on but could only get to within a neck of the winner, with Highland Dress (Shamardal) another length away in third. Brad The Brief is the first foal out of the US Listed winning mare Kenzadargent (Kendargent). Dutch Art stood at Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket for an undisclosed fee in 2020.
Galileo – Super sire Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) saw his tally of individual stakes winners move on to the 326 mark when his daughter Divinely (2 f ex Red Evie by Intikhab) registered a breakthrough success in Friday’s Flame Of Tara Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) at the Curragh. Racing for the fourth time, the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly got off the mark when beating Ahandfulofsummers (Galileo) by half a length, with Ubuntu (Fastnet Rock) another short head away in third. The eighth foal out of multiple Group 1 winner Red Evie (Intikhab), Divinely is a full sister to six winners including Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) heroine Found. The bookmakers subsequently introduced the winner at 25-1 for next year’s Epsom Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f). Galileo stood at Coolmore for a private fee in 2020.
Gimmethegreenlight – Ecstatic Green (3 f ex Ecstatic by Ashtontown) posted her second win in six starts and in the process provided Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) with his 26th individual stakes winner when taking out the Debutante Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Greyville on Saturday. The Sean Tarry-trained filly beat Keep The Lights On (Visionaire) by two and a quarter lengths, while Fiftyshadesdarker (Gimmethegreenlight) was another length away in third. Gimmethegreenlight stands at Varsfontein Stud for a fee of 75,000 ZAR (approx AUD$6,150) in 2020.
Lawman – The Andreas Suborics-trained juvenile Salonlove (2 f ex Salonblue by Bluebird) broke her maiden in style on Sunday when taking out the Junioren-Preis (Listed, 1600m) at Dusseldorf and became the 34th individual stakes winner for her sire Lawman (Invincible Spirit). Stepping forward from her debut performance when fourth at Cologne two weeks ago, Salonlove was pulled out to challenge with 400 metres to run and she showed a good turn of foot to quickly draw a couple of lengths clear of the fast finishing Milka (Protectionist), while Demonstration (Areion) stayed on for third. Former Ballylinch Stud resident Lawman, sire of Group 1 winners Just The Judge, Harbour Law, Most Improved and Marcel, relocated to Haras de Grandcamp in France last year and his 2020 fee was €10,000 (approx A$16,100).
Lea – The Mark Casse-trained Chart (3 f ex Gauge by War Front) landed the Ontario Colleen Stakes (Gr 3, 8f) at Woodbine on Saturday and became the third stakes winner and first Group winner for her sire Lea (First Samurai). She took the honours in a three-way finish with the favourite Avie’s Samurai (First Samurai) and her stablemate Diamond Sparkles (War Front) split by a head apiece. The lightly-raced D J Stables LLC three-year-old takes her record to three wins from six starts. Donn Handicap (Gr 1, 9f) winner Lea stands at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky where his 2020 fee was US$7,500 (approx A$10,200).
Leroidesanimaux – Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) hope Le Don De Vie (4 g ex Leaderene by Selkirk) registered the vital win he needed to stand a chance of getting in the field for the Flemington feature when scoring a comfortable victory in the August Stakes (Listed, 1m 3.5f) at Windsor yesterday. Carrying the colours of Ozzie Kheir, the Hughie Morrison-trained four-year-old appeared to have something in hand as he crossed the line a length and three-quarters in front of Communique (Casamento), racing off a British Official Rating of 106. Desert Encounter (Halling) overcame a troublesome passage to finish a further half a length away in third. The late Leroidesanimaux is best known as the sire of Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) winner Animal Kingdom.
Makfi – Haras de Bonneval resident Makfi (Dubawi) sired his 32nd individual stakes winner when favourite Mykiss (3 g ex Kissin Sign by Turtle Bowl) ran out a convincing winner of Friday’s Grand Prix de Clairefontaine (Listed, 2400m), Trained by Frederic Rossi, the gelding was winning for the third time in six starts as he beat Hayzum (Anodin) by three lengths, with Veritas (Camelot) a further five lengths adrift in third. Makfi, who previously shuttled to Westbury Stud in New Zealand, stood for a fee of stood for a fee of €20,000
(approx AUD$32,000) in 2020.
New Approach – There was further stakes success for Darley stallions on the Curragh card on Friday when New Treasure (2 c New Approach ex Maoineach by Congaree) left his debut effort well behind to run out a shock winner of the Round Tower Stakes (Gr 3, 6f). Seventh of 11 when making his first start at the same track earlier in the month, the Jim Bolger-trained juvenile scored at odds of 66-1 to provide New Approach (Galileo) with his 54th individual stakes winner. Favourite Teresa Mendoza (Territories) was half a length away in second, with Coulthard (Coulsty) another length and a quarter away in third. The homebred descends from multiple US Grade 1 winner Dispute (Danzig). Former shuttler New Approach (Galileo) stood at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket for a fee of £30,000 (approx AUD$54,500) in 2020.
Night Of Thunder – Former Darley shuttler Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) sired his 17th individual stakes winner when Thundering Nights (3 f ex Cape Castle by Cape Cross) posted a comfortable victory in Friday’s Snow Fairy Fillies’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 1f) at the Curragh. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Thundering Nights was winning for the third time in six starts as she made a successful stakes debut by beating favourite Albigna (Zoffany) by a length and a half. Epona Plays (Australia) was another neck away in third. Thundering Nights is the first foal out of the winning mare Cape Castle (Cape Cross), who herself is out of a winning half-sister to Group 3 scorer Queen’s Best (King’s Best), among others. Night Of Thunder, who shuttled to Australia for one season, covering 96 mares in 2016, stood at Kildangan Stud for a fee of €25,000 (approx AUD$40,000) in 2020.
Palace Malice – Three Chimneys resident Palace Malice (Curlin) sired his fifth individual stakes winner when Fly On Angel (3 f ex Runge by Posse) came out on top in a tight finish to Friday’s Charles Town Oaks (Gr 3, 7f). Winning for the fourth time in nine starts, the Claudio Gonzalez-trained filly beat Wicked Whisper (Liam’s Map) by half a length, with Princess Cadey (Dialed In) just a nose away in third. Palace Malice stood for a fee of US$25,000 (approx AUD$34,000) in 2020.
Snitzel – Four-time Australian champion sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) brought up his 104th individual stakes winner on Saturday when Immortal Love (3 g ex Loveyamadly by Bel Esprit) scored a thrilling last-stride victory in the McNeil Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Caulfield. Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, Immortal Love swept home from near the rear to grab Flying Award (Shamus Award) by a short half-head with favourite Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa) holding down third a further nose away, having looked the winner for much of the straight. Immortal Love is a homebred for United Syndications’ Peter Creighton, who sourced Immortal Love’s dam Loveyamadly (Bel Esprit) for $60,000 at the 2010 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and raced her in his colours for a Listed win and a Group 3 second. She has produced three runners for three winners, with Immortal Love joined by last-start Gosford victor Classic Gaming (Medaglia d’Oro) and city winner Bella Amore (Snitzel). This season, Snitzel is standing for $165,000 (inc GST) at Arrowfield Stud.
Uncle Mo – Ashford Stud’s Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) notched up two further stakes winners at Saratoga on Saturday taking his total to 64 individual stakes winners. The Steven Asmussen-trained Yaupon (3 c ex Modification by Vindication) took out the Amsterdam Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) and Graham Motion’s Bye Bye Melvin (3 c ex Karlovy Vary by Dynaformer) landed the Saranac Stakes (Gr 3, 8f). Yaupon, unbeaten in two previous starts, was sent off as favourite and duly obliged by two lengths over Basin (Liam’s Map), while Bye Bye Melvin followed up his second in the Jersey Derby (Listed, 8.5f) last month when getting up by a head in first time blinkers from the favourite Don Juan Kitten (Kitten’s Joy). Uncle Mo, whose progeny are headed by Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) winner Nyquist, stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky where his 2020 fee was US$125,000 (approx A$170,000).