Third for Hellbent
New winners
Hellbent (pictured above) – Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr appear to have unearthed a talented juvenile in Hell Hound (2 f ex Miss Charming by Forestry), an impressive first start winner at Terang, the third individual winner for her first season Yarraman Park Stud-based sire Hellbent (I Am Invincible). Ridden by Beau Mertens, Hell Hound ($5.50) overran favourite Biographer (I Am Invincible) ($3.50) to score by one and three-quarter lengths. Gold Bucket (Shalaa) ($7.50) was another two and a half lengths away in third. Bred and raced by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, Hell Hound is a half-sister to the Cambridge Stud-raced Blue Diamond Prelude (F) (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Letzbeglam (Snitzel). Hellbent stood in 2021 for $22,000 (inc. GST).
Heroic Valour – Raheen Stud-based first-season sire Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) sired his sixth and seventh individual winners this week, starting when Tequila Dancer (2 f ex Margarita Mover by Captain Sonador) prevailed at the second time of asking in the QTIS 2YO Handicap (800m) at Dalby. The William Kropp-trained filly won by half a length over Al Pal’s Gal (Spirit Of Boom), trained by his father Matt. Tequila Dancer was a $45,000 buy for S & J Bloodstock from the Magic Millions March Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year from the Raheen Stud draft. Later in the week, the Michael Nolan-trained Uncommon Valour (2 g ex Outlandish by Redoute’s Choice) got off the mark at the second time of asking when he won over 1200 metres at Toowoomba, providing Heroic Valour with his seventh winner. Having finished eighth on last month’s debut, the two-year-old gelding beat Huri Black (Star Turn) by three and a quarter lengths, with White Chocolate (Mahisara) another nose away in third. Purchased by his trainer for $38,000 at the Magic Millions Capricornia Yearling Sale, the gelding is out of the placed Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) mare Outlandish and further afield this is the same family as multiple Group 1 winner Slight Change (Centaine) who produced Group 3-winning pair Salgado (Danewin) and Dane Shadow (Danehill). Heroic Valour stood for a fee of $7,700 (inc GST) in 2021 and currently lies third on the leading first season sire by winners table.
Russian Revolution – Newgate sire Russian Revolution (Snitzel) sired his seventh individual first crop winner when Czar (2 c ex Museo by Teofilo) won the 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m) at Hawkesbury. Racing in the China Horse Club and Newgate Farm silks sported by his father, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Czar won by three-quarters of a length over Chain Of Gold (Sooboog). Czar was a $300,000 buy for connections out of the Highgrove Stud draft at last year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale. His British-bred dam Museo (Teofilo) – a daughter of the stakes-winning Historian (Pennekamp) and from the family of Street Cry (Machiavellian) – was an €85,000 buy for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale in 2016. The mare has a weanling filly by Exceed And Excel (Danehill) and was again bred to the stallion last year. Russian Revolution, the leading first-season sire by prize-money, now only trails by one in the leading first-season sire charts by winners. Russian Revolution stood for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm in 2021.
Sebring Sun – Glenthorne Park’s first season sire Sebring Sun (Sebring) sired his second individual winner when Sammiballerina (2 f ex Her Lyin’ Eyes by Lawyer) took out the $125,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic (1200m) at Rockhampton. Sent out the $8.50 fourth favourite, the Jamie McConachy-trained Sammiballerina sustained a long run under Chris McIver to defeat favourite Zipping Irish (Heroic Valour) by three-quarters of a length in a one-two for Queensland freshman sire. Street Glory (Hallowed Crown) was a further length and a quarter away in third. Offered by the Taree Stud at last year’s Capricornia Yearling Sale, Sammiballerina was passed in for $15,000 on a reserve of $20,000. Sebring Sun served 35 mares last season at a fee of $3,300 (inc GST).
New Group / Grade 1 winners
Curlin – Nest (3 f ex Marion Ravenwood by A P Indy) put herself firmly in the picture for next month’s Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1, 9f) after the Todd Pletcher-trained filly kept her run of from going when she slammed her rivals in the Ashford Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland. Winning for the fourth time in five starts, and third in stakes company, she took the step up in grade firmly in her stride, coming home eight and a quarter lengths in front of her nearest pursuer to provide Curlin (Smart Strike) with his 17th individual elite-level winner. Cocktail Moments (Uncle Mo) fared best of the rest, just edging out Interstatedaydream (Classic Empire) by a nose in their battle for second. Bred in Kentucky by Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables, Nest was sold to Eclipse Thoroughbreds and Mike Repole for US$350,000 via Ashview Farm’s consignment at the 2020 September Yearling Sale at Keeneland. Out of the stakes-winning A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew) mare Marion Ravenwood, Nest is a full sister to last year’s Santa Anita Handicap (Gr 1, 10f) winner Idol and a half-sister to the twice stakes-placed Dr Jack (Pioneerof The Nile). Curlin stands at Hill ‘N’ Dale Farms for a fee of US$175,000 (approx, AU$235,000).
Duramente – Stars On Earth (3 f ex Southern Stars by Smart Strike) provided the late Duramente (King Kamehameha) with a second individual elite-level winner when she caused a minor upset in the Oka Sho (Gr 1, 1600m), the Japanese 1,000 Guineas, at Hanshin. The Mizuki Takayanagi-trained filly just got the better of Water Navillera (Silver State) by a nose with a further half-length back to Namura Clair (Mikki Isle) in third, Now the winner of two of her six starts, Stars On Earth is the first foal out of the winning Smart Strike (Mr. Prospector) mare Southern Stars, herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Soul Stirring (Frankel) and Group 3 winner Schon Glanz (Deep Impact).
Not This Time – Just One Time (4 f ex Ida Clark by Speightstown) provided Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) with a second individual elite-level success when she won the Madison Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Keeneland. The Brad Cox-trained filly stayed on strongly to win going away at the line, beating fellow Grade 1 scorers Bell’s The One (Majesticperfection) and Kimari (Munnings) by three-quarters of a length and three lengths respectively. The fourth foal out of the winning Speightstown (Gone West) mare Ida Clark, herself a half-sister to Grade 3 winner For Rubies (Not For Love), Just One Time is a half-sister to three winners including the stakes winner Black Stetson (More Than Ready). Not This Time stands at Taylor Made Farm for US$45,000 (approx. AU$60,440).
Shamus Award – Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award (Snitzel) sired his fifth individual Group 1 winner when El Patroness (3 f ex Sure We Can by O’Reilly) took out the Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) for trainer Danny O’Brien and jockey Damian Lane. A 25-1 outsider, El Patroness defeated star Queensland filly Gypsy Goddess (Tarzino) by two and a half lengths with longshot Gin Martini (Rip Van Winkle) a further long neck away in third. Shamus Award stood for $33,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
So You Think – Coolmore’s So You Think (High Chaparral) enjoyed an extraordinary day at Randwick last week, siring a Group 1-winning treble, which saw his total elite level-winning tally swell to nine. The first new individual Group 1 winner was provided by the Gai Waterhouse and Adrain Bott-trained Knights Order (7 g ex Lamanka Lass by Woodman) when the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import took out the Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) under an inch-perfect Rachel King ride from the front. Knights Order, a winner of the Brisbane Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) last year, defeated Sheraz (Sea The Stars) by two lengths with a further two and a half lengths back to Adelaide Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) winner Daqiansweet Junior (Sweet Orange) in third. Just 80 minutes later – and after his prodigious son Think It Over (6 g ex Personal Service by Zabeel) scored a memorable win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) – So You Think added another new Group 1 winner as Nimalee (5 m ex Dezign by Zabeel) broke her top-flight maiden in the Queen Of The Turf (Gr 1, 1600m). The Matthew Smith-prepared Nimalee defeated Annavisto (Reliable Man) and Icebath (Sacred Falls) to score her first Group 1 success. So You Think stood for $77,000 (inc GST) last year.
Street Sense – The progressive Speaker’s Corner (4 c ex Tyburn Brook by Bernadini) continued his march through the ranks when he ran away with the Carter Handicap (Gr 1, 7f) at Aqueduct and in the process became the 12th individual elite-level winner for Street Sense (Street Cry). Trained by Bill Mott, Speaker’s Corner made it three wins on the bounce as he followed up his last two victories in Grade 3 and Grade 2 company by beating Reinvestment Risk (Upstart) by four and a half lengths. Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) finished seven lengths behind the winner in third. The Darley homebred is the first foal out of the unraced Bernardini (A.P. Indy) mare Tyburn Brook who traces back to the family of English 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Pennekamp (Bering). Street Sense stands at Darley’s Jonabell Farm for a fee of US$75,000 (approx. AU$100,735).
Upstart – The Chad Brown-trained Zandon (3 c ex Memories Prevail by Creative Cause) landed the Blue Grass Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) at Keeneland, providing Upstart (Flatter) with a first elite-level success as a sire. The three-year-old colt chased the leading pair into the home straight and stayed on well to go clear at the finish, beating the favourite Smile Happy (Runhappy) by two and a half lengths with a further three and three-quarter lengths back to Emmanuel (More Than Ready) in third. A US$170,000 purchase by agent Mike Ryan at the 2020 September Yearling Sale, Zandon is the second foal out of the unraced Creative Cause (Giant’s Causeway) mare Memories Prevail, herself a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Cairo Memories (Cairo Prince) and to stakes winner Cariba (Cairo Prince). Upstart stands at Airdrie Stud for US$10,000 (approx. AU$13,430).
New stakes winners
Capitalist – Newgate Farm-based stallion Capitalist (Written Tycoon) brought up his eighth individual stakes winner as Cannonball (2 c ex Golconda by Snitzel) took out the Redoute’s Choice Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Caulfield. Sent out as the second favourite, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Cannonball led most of the way under Brett Prebble, defeating Eye Of The Eagle (Alpine Eagle) by three-quarters of a length with a length and a half back to Port Albert (Sooboog) in third. A $975,000 purchase from last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by James Harron, Cannonball is the second stakes winner from two foals to race out of Golconda (Snitzel) with her first foal being Rubiton Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Marine One (Capitalist). Newgate is yet to announce Capitalist’s stud fee; he stood for $99,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
Cupid – The Phil D’Amato-trained Desert Dawn (3 f ex Ashley’s Glory by Honour And Glory) just hung on in the Santa Anita Oaks (Gr 2, 8.f) to provide Cupid (Tapit) with a fourth individual stakes winner. The filly caused an upset by beating the 7-10 favourite Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) by a neck with the pair pulling seven and a half lengths clear of Ain’t Easy (Into Mischief) back in third. The sixth foal out of the winning Honour And Glory (Relaunch) mare Ashley’s Glory, herself a half-sister to the stakes winners Grimm (Hansel) and Resolve (Future Storm), Desert Dawn is a half-sister to three winners. Cupid stands at Coolmore in Kentucky for US$5,000 (approx. AU$6,715).
Foxwedge – Woodside Park Stud’s Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock) sired his 24th individual stakes winner as Harleymoven (3 g ex Inishmore by More Than Ready) put himself forward for the South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) with his victory in the Port Adelaide Guineas (Listed, 1800m) at Morphettville. Sent out as the second favourite, the Dan Clarken and Oopy McGillivray-trained Harleymoven came right away from his rivals, defeating Palani (Zoustar) by four lengths with three-quarters of a length to favourite Daisies (Sebring) in third. Foxwedge’s only stakes winner at 2300 metres and beyond was Hertford Dancer, who won the Lingfield Oaks Trial (Listed, 1m 3.5f) and finished third to Group 1 winner Coronet (Dubawi) in the Ribblesdale Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f) during Royal Ascot in 2017. He stood for $11,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
Frankel – Juddmonte Stud’s Frankel (Galileo) brought up his 87th individual stakes winner and his tenth in Australia when My Whisper (3 f ex Hersigh by Poet’s Voice) took out the Auraria Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) at Morphettville. Brought across from Victoria by the Snowden stable, where she had won her three starts this preparation, My Whisper still raced greenly outside runners. However, she sprinted sharply to defeat Australian Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) placegetter Bon’s A Pearla (Bon Hoffa) by three-quarters of a length with Mac ‘n’ Cheese (Sebring) third, a further length and a quarter away. After the win, My Whisper was shortened into $5 equal favouritism for the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) alongside VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) runner-up Douceur (No Nay Never). Frankel stands for £200,000 (approx. AUD$349,715) at Banstead Manor Stud in 2022.
Gun Runner – Taiba (3 c ex Needmore Flattery by Flatter) provided Gun Runner (Candy Ride) with an 11th individual stakes winner as he scored a ready success in the Santa Anita Derby (Gr 1, 9f). Trained by Tim Yakteen, the colt beat Messier (Empire Maker) by two and a quarter lengths with ten lengths back to Happy Jack (Oxbow) in third. A US$1,700,000 purchase as a two-year-old at the Fasig-Tipton Florida Gulfstream Sale Taiba is the second foal out of the Flatter (A.P. Indy) mare Needmore Flattery who won 17 of her 39 starts including at stakes level. Gun Runner stands at Three Chimneys Farm for a fee of US$125,000 (approx. AU$167,900).
Hallowed Crown – Twin Hills Stud’s Hallowed Crown (Street Sense) brought up his fifth individual stakes winner when Vilana (3 c ex Retsina by Redoute’s Choice) took out the South Pacific Classic (Listed, 1400m) at Randwick. A Darley homebred and a half-brother to both stakes winners Savatiano (Street Cry) and Athiri (Lonhro), Vilana took the step into stakes company in his stride, taking his record to three wins from four starts. Sent out as the $5.50 second favourite, Vilana defeated favourite Loch Eagle (Lonhro) by three-quarters of a length with a similar margin back to Bend The Knee (Snitzel) in third. Hallowed Crown stood for $11,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
Heart’s Cry – Japanese champion Heart’s Cry (Sunday Silence) sired his 57th individual stakes winner when Meisho Mimosa (5 m ex Meisho Beluga by French Deputy) ran out a surprise winner of the Hai Hanshin Himba Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m). Stepping up into stakes company for the first time, the mare was sent off a 68-1 chance but she made a mockery of those odds by beating favourite Andvaranaut (King Kamehameha) by half a length. Des Ailes (Deep Impact) finished a neck further away in third. Now the winner of five of her 26 starts, Meisho Mimosa is out of the Group 2 -winning French Deputy (Deputy Minister) mare Meisho Beluga, making her a half-sister to the Group 2 winner Meisho Tengen (Deep Impact). Former Shadai stallion Heart’s Cry was penshioned last year at the age of 20.
Holy Roman Emperor – Lord Sakay (3 c ex Incoming Call by Red Ransom) became the 91st individual stakes winner for Coolmore Stud sire Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill) when taking out the Premio Gardone (Listed, 1600m) at Milan. The Antonio Marcialis-trained colt got the better of Vincere Insieme (Exceed And Excel) to take the honours in the five-runner field. The winner of three of his five starts, Lord Sakay was tried in Listed company last December but only managed sixth of 12 in the Criterium Di Pisa (Listed, 1500m), but he is unbeaten over a mile. He was sold for 45,000gns to Federico Barbarini at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale and is a half-brother to the Listed winner and Group 3-placed Missed Call (Authorized). Holy Roman Emperor stands at Coolmore in Ireland for a fee of €10,000 (approx. AU$14,596) this year.
Markaz – The rapidly improving Markaz Parname (3 g ex Vale Of Paris by Vale Of York) provided Markaz (Dark Angel) with a second individual stakes winner when landing the Gladness Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at the Curragh. Trained by Ger Lyons, the three-year-old gelding kept on well at the finish to beat Sh Boom (War Command) by a half-length with a further length back to two-year-old Group 1 scorer Thunder Moon (Zoffany) in third. The second foal out of the winning Vale Of York (Invincible Spirit) mare Vale Of Paris, Markaz Parname is a half-brother to winner On Tick (Epaulette). Markaz stands at Allevamento Renaccino in Italy for €3,000 (approx. AU$2,500).
Medaglia D’Oro – Darley’s Medaglia D’Oro (El Prado) was provided with his 163rd and 164th individual stakes winners last week, a double kicked off when the Brendan Walsh-trained Prevalence (4 c ex Enrichment by Ghostzapper) won the Commonwealth Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Keeneland. The four-year-old pulled two and a quarter lengths clear of Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy) with a further head back to O Besos (Orb) in third. The Godolphin-bred colt is the fifth foal out of the Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) mare Enrichment and is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Estihdaaf (Arch), Listed winner Libreta (Girolama) and the useful winner Rich And Famous (Bernardini). Medaglia D’Oro gained his second stakes winner when Nostalgic (3 f ex Been Here Before by Tapit) won the Gazelle Stakes (Gr 3, 9f) at Aqueduct. Trained by Bill Mott, the three-year-old filly beat Venti Valentine (Firing Line) by one and a quarter lengths with a further two lengths back to Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner) in third. Nostalgic is the second foal out of the stakes-placed mare Been Here Before (Tapit), herself out of a stakes-winning half-sister to Grade 1 winner Bob And John (Seeking The Gold). Medaglia D’Oro stands for US$100,000 (approx. AU$134,315).
Per Incanto – Dual Oaks runner-up Charms Star (4 m ex Anniesstar by Zed) finally made the breakthrough in stakes company when taking out the Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) and in the process became the 24th individual stakes winner for Little Avondale’s Per Incanto (Street Cry). Trained by Lisa Latta, Charms Star was rewarded for some great runs in defeat as she posted her second success in 17 starts by beating the fast-finishing favourite Sinarahma (Darci Brahma), with Samiam Seussie (Hinchinbrook) back in third. Charms Star was a $65,000 purchase from Little Avondale Stud’s Book 2 draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in 2019. She is out of the Zed (Zabeel) mare Anniesstar, winner of the Feilding Gold Cup (LIsted, 2100m), whose brother is the Manawatu Cup (Gr 3, 2300m) winner Jacksstar. Charms Star will contest the Travis Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) at Te Rapa on April 30, with connections keen to explore options in Queensland should the mare perform well again.
Pierro – Paris Dior (2 f ex Entrancing by Exceed And Excel) took out the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and in the process provided Coolmore Stud-based sire Pierro (Lonhro) with his 28th individual stakes winner. Trained by Peter and Paul Snowden and ridden by James McDonald, Paris Dior defied a late betting drift and an awkward spot upon straightening to produce a tough head win over Willinga Beast (Snitzel) with almost four lengths back to Lady Laguna (Overshare) in third. Pierro stood for $110,000 (inc GST) at Coolmore last year.
Raven’s Pass – Darley sire Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality) recorded his 38th individual stakes winner when Amalaura (3 f ex Rabiosa Fiore by Sakhee’s Secret) took out the Premio Seregno (Listed, 1600m) at Milan from Woman Of Ciprea (Aclaim) and Azul Bahia (Profitable). The winner of four of her six starts, Amalaura was also runner-up in the Premio Gino e Luciano Mnatovani (Listed, 1500m) last June. She was bred in England and sold for €30,000 at the SGA September Yearling Sale to Incolinx Scud. She is out of the Listed-placed Rabiosa Fiore (Sakhee’s Secret) from the family of Classic winners East Of The Moon (Private Account) and Alpha Centauri (Mastercraftsman). Group 1 winner and sire Raven’s Pass stands at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland for a fee of €7,500 (approx. AU$10,950) having retired at a fee of €40,000 in 2009.
Rock Of Gibraltar – Rock Boy (3 c ex Frasque by Iffraaj) provided his sire Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill) with a 139th individual stakes winner when he came out on top in the Prix Djebel (Gr 3, 1400m) at Deauville. Trained by Richard Chotard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, the three-year-old colt came with a strong later run down the outside of the seven-runner field to beat Loubeisien (Kheleyf) by a length with a further three-quarters of a length back to My Fancy (Myboycharlie) in third. A 16,000 euros (approx. AU$23,340) purchase as a yearling, Rock Boy is the third foal out of the winning Iffraaj (Zafonic) mare Frasque and is a half-brother to Group 2-placed winner Alastor (Helmet). Rock Of Gibraltar stands at Castlehyde Stud for a fee of €5,000 (approx. AU$7,290).
Siyouni – The Andre Fabre-trained Mqse De Sevigne (3 f ex Penne by Sevres Rose) provided Siyouni (Pivotal) with his 60th individual stakes winner when she scored for the second time in three starts in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr 3, 1700m) at Longchamp. The three-year-old filly beat Know Thyself (Galileo) by one and a half lengths with a further head back to Hot Queen (Recorder) in third. The ninth foal out of the Listed-placed mare Penne (Sevres Rose), Mqse De Sevigne is a half-sister to five winners including the multiple Group 1 winner Meandre (Slickly). Siyouni stands at Haras de Bonneval for €140,000 (approx. AU$204,355).