Five for Heroic Valour
New winners
Heroic Valour – Zipping Irish (2 f ex Eire Hostess by O’Reilly) provided his sire Heroic Valour (Fastnet Rock) with a fifth individual winner when he broke his maiden in the maiden plate (1050m) at Mackay on Tuesday. The Clinton Taylor-trained two-year-old filly was a comfortable two-and-a-half-length winner over She’s Winning (Winning Rupert) with a further one and three-quarter lengths back to Mission House (The Mission) in third. Zipping Irish was a $22,500 purchase for her trainer out of the Kenmore Lodge consignment at last year’s Magic Millions Capricornia Yearling Sale. Out of the Talindert Stakes (Listed, 1100m)-winning O’Reilly (Last Tycoon) mare Eire Hostess, the filly is a half-sister to winners Ujumpijump (Iffraaj), Saoirse (Iffraaj) and Perfect Hostess (Dehere). Heroic Valour, who sits only behind The Mission (Choisir) and alongside Russian Revolution (Snitzel) in the first-season sire standings, resides at Raheen Stud where he stood last year for a fee of $7,700 (inc. GST).
New Group / Grade 1 winners
Burgundy – Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice) made a posthumous breakthrough as a sire of elite-level winners when Belle En Rouge (3 f ex Cavendish Belle, by Thorn Park) notched a surprise win in Saturday’s New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) at Trentham. Sent off the least fancied of the three runners in the Classic for the all-conquering Jamie Richards team, Belle En Rouge defeated her stablemate Self Obsession (Shocking), who was sent off the warm favourite, by half a length with Aspen Colorado (Proisir) close up behind in third. Belle En Rouge was winning for the fourth time in ten starts, having previously taken out the Eulogy Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) and Eight Carat Classic (Gr 2, 1600m). Raced by the Te Akau Beautiful in Red Racing Partnership and bred by Te Akau’s David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis out of the unraced Thorn Park (Spinning World) mare Cavendish Belle, she has now collected $391,680 in prize-money.
I Am Invincible (pictured above) – Jamie Richards saddled the first four home in Saturday’s Levin Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) at Trentham as the winner, Imperatriz (3 f ex Berimbau by Shamardal), became the 12th individual elte-level winner for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit). Richards had five runners in the three-year-old feature and dominated the finish with Imperatriz (I Am Invincible), On The Bubbles (Brazen Beau), I Wish I Win (Savabeel) and Mohawk Brave (Extreme Choice). A daughter of the Moonee Valley Fillies’ Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) placegetter Berimbau (Shamardal), Imperatriz was bought at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $360,000 by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis. She has now won six of her nine starts and $373,200 in prize-money, having previously won the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) and Soliloquy Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m). Berimbau was covered last spring by Capitalist (Written Tycoon). I Am Invincible stood at Yarraman Park for a fee of $220,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
Rebel Dane – Rebel Dane (California Dane) sired his first Group 1 winner when his daughter Fireburn (2 f ex Mull Over by So You Think) produced a memorable performance in Saturday’s Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Rosehill. Trained by Gary Portelli as was her sire, Fireburn showed an impressive turn of foot to claim victory by a comfortable two and a half length margin, handing recent Silver Slipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Best Of Bordeaux (Snitzel) his first defeat. Coolangatta (Written Tycoon), who was sent off the $3.70 favourite, also surrendered her unbeaten record, finishing another quarter of a length away in third. Fireburn is the first winner out of winning So You Think (High Chaparral) mare Mull Over and she is herself out of dual Listed winner Galizani (Galileo). The filly descends from the same family as Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Danarani (Danehill). Rebel Dane has stood at Glen Eden Stud for the past three seasons, but he will be relocated to a stud in New South Wales for the 2022 season.
Toronado – Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado (High Chaparral) was handed his third Group 1 winner when the Danny Williams-trained Shelby Sixtysix (5 g ex Storm Kite by Honours List) prevailed in the Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. The five-year-old gelding continued his extraordinary rise through the grades, beating Big Parade (Deep Field) by a neck, while In The Congo (Snitzel) was a further neck away in third. Purchased by Williams for $150,000 from the Riverina Downs draft at the Inglis Classic Sale in 2018, Shelby Sixtysix is the first winner out of city-winning Honours List (Danehill) mare Storm Kite, a half-sister to Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) runner-up Prophet’s Kiss (Nediym), whose final foal is the two-year-old filly Incorporation (Territories), who is in training with Shane Fliedner at Bendigo. The gelding became the third elite-level winner for Swettenham Stud stallion Toronado (High Chaparral), after William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Masked Crusader and the European-bred US Grade 1 winner Tribhuvan.
New stakes winners
American Patriot – American Patriot (War Front) sired his first stakes winner since joining the stallion ranks when Be Astonished (3 c ex Mao Rio by Neo Universe) just edged victory in Sunday’s Sho Spring Stakes (Gr 2, 1800m) at Nakayama. Be Astonished, who is trained by Yuzo Iida, was winning for the second time in six starts as he beat Arrival (Harbinger) by a nose. Satono Helios (Epiphaneia) finished a length and a quarter behind the winner to take third. Be Astonished is the second foal out of the unraced Mao Rio (Neo Universe) who traces back to Grade 1 winner Blue Concorde (Fusaichi Concorde). Grade 1 winner American Patriot stands at Darley Japan for a fee of ¥1.5 million (approx. AU$16,950).
Authorized – Marianachic (3 c ex Marianabaa by Anabaa) picked up where he left off last year by making a winning return to action in Saturday’s Prix Francois Mathet (Listed, 2100m) at Saint-Cloud and in the process became the 37th individual stakes winner for Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) winner Authorized (Montjeu). Trained by Jerome Reynier, Marianachic was winning for the fifth time in eight starts as he beat Bennetot (Ectot) by a length and a half. Best Years Yet (Mastercraftsman) finished best of the rest, a further five lengths adrift in third. Marianachic is the sixth foal out of the winning Anabaa (Danzig) mare Marianabaa, making him a half-brother to last year’s Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr 1, 1300) winner Marianafoot (Footstepsinthesand). Authorized now stands at stud in Turkey.
Captain Marvelous – Feel Your Power (3 f ex Flame Of Fame by Shakespearean) provided Group 2 winner Captain Marvelous (Invincible Spirit) with a third stakes winner when she just held off the challenge of the fast finishing Fearless Angel (Belardo) to triumph in the Prix Ronde de Nuit (Listed, 1100m) at Chantilly on Wednesday. Trained by Henri-Alex Pantall, the filly was winning for the second time in four starts as she clung on to get the verdict by a nose. Elliptic (Caravaggio) finished best of the rest, another five lengths away in third.
Exceed And Excel – Exceed And Excel (Danehill) added to his stakes winning tally when Left The Building (2 c x Vicennalia by More Than Ready) shed his maiden tag in the Perth Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Ascot. Having finished third on his first career start, the two-year-old colt narrowly defeated Street Parade (Lucky Street) by a nose with Kosta’s Crown (Supido) a further three-quarters of a length away in third. Left The Building was purchased by Arlington Park for $170,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale from the Three Bridges Thoroughbreds draft and was then bought for $130,000 at the Inglis Easter Australian Yearling Sale from the draft of Kitchwin Hills. The colt is out of the winning More Than Ready (Southern Halo) mare Vicennalia and she is herself out of Group 3 scorer Silver Reunion (Harlan’s Holiday), making her a half-sister to US Grade 2 winner Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Font) and Listed winner Proud Reunion (Proud Citizen). Exceed And Excel stood the 2021 season for a fee of $132,000 (inc GST).
Flying Artie – Flying Crazy (3 g ex Forever Crazy by Encosta De Lago) provided his sire Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) with a third individual stakes winner when he won the Canberra Guineas (Listed, 1400m). The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained three-year-old went on to beat Military Expert (Redoute’s Choice) by three-quarters of a length with the same distance back to Sweet Ruby (Rubick) in third. A $40,000 purchase for WBF Thoroughbreds and Equi-Com Syndications out of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Flying Crazy is the second foal out of the winning Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare Forever Crazy. Flying Artie stood at Newgate Farm Stud last year for a fee of $33,000 (inc. GST).
Frost Giant – After two runner-up efforts in Listed contests, six-year-old Utgard Loki (6 g ex Twinkle Toes by Danehill) scored for the first time at stakes level when winning the South West Cup (Listed, 2300m) at Pinjarra. Adam Durrant trained the quinella, with the Bob Peters-owned True Attraction (More Than Ready) finishing a length and a quarter behind the winner in second. Queen Takes King (Charm Spirit) was third. Utgard Loki becomes the 18th individual stakes winner, and third in Australia, for his former shuttle sire Frost Giant (Giant’s Causeway).
Hallowed Crown – Twin Hills Stud resident Hallowed Crown (Street Sense) sired his fourth individual stakes winner when Can I Get An Amen (5 m ex Brianna by Sudurka) captured Trentham’s Lightning Handicap (Listed, 1200m). The Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained five-year-old went into the race having finished fourth behind Levante (Proisir) and Roch ‘N’ Horse (Per Incanto) in the Telegraph (Gr 1, 1200m) back in January. Eased in grade here, she was well supported and in a driving finish defeated Burgundy Rose (Burgundy) and the late-closing Cavallo Veloce (O’Reilly). Bred and co-owned by Milan Park principal Tony Rider, Can I Get An Amen has now won four races and over $100,000 in prize-money. She is out of the stakes-winning mare Brianna (Sudurka), who also finished third in the Railway Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). Hallowed Crown stood for a fee of $11,000 (inc GST) in 2021.
Isla Bonita – Japan’s champion three-year-old colt of 2014 Isla Bonita (Fuji Kiseki) sired his first stakes winner when Purpur Ray (3 c ex My Jen by Fusaichi Pegasus) struck in Saturday’s Chunichi Sports Sho Falcon Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Chukyo. Trained by Naosuke Sugai, Purpur Ray was winning for the third time in seven starts as he beat Taisei Divine (Rulership) by a length and three-quarters. Otaru Ever (Leontes) was a further half a length away in third. Purpur Ray is the seventh foal out of the Group 2-winning Fusaichi Pegasus (Mr Prospector) mare My Jen, who herself is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and Coolmore sire Caravaggio (Scat Daddy). The Classic-winning Isla Bonita stands at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥1.5 million (approx. AU$16,950).
Kheleyf – The late Kheleyf (Green Desert) sired his 23rd individual stakes winner when his son Loubeisien (3 c ex Lolif by Loup Breton) struck in the Prix Montenica (Listed, 1300) on the all-weather track at Chantilly. The three-year-old, who is trained by Christophe Ferland, was winning for the third time in seven starts as he defeated Sicilian Defense (Muhaarar) by a length, that one getting the better of Txope (Siyouni) by a short head in their battle for second. Kheleyf, winner of Royal Ascot’s Jersey Stakes (Gr 3, 7f), died last year at the age of 20.
Lonhro – The well-bred Emanate (5 m ex Guelph by Exceed And Excel) landed the Birthday Card Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday and in the process provided Darley Stud-based sire Lonhro (Octagonal) with his 94th individual stakes winner. The James Cummings-trained five-year-old mare surged clear in the closing stages to beat Marboosha (Dream Ahead) by four and three-quarter lengths. Steinem (Frankel) was a further length and a quarter back in third. Out of the four-time Group 1 winner, Guelph (Exceed And Excel), Emanate is therefore a sister to Group 2 winner and now Eureka Stud resident Encryption (Lonhro). Guelph herself is a daughter of Group 1 winner Camarilla (Elusive Quality) and she is also the dam of Dazzler (More Than Ready), who in turn produced multiple Group 1 winner and now Darley Stud sire Bivouac (Exceed And Excel). Lonhro stood last season at Darley’s Kelvinside base for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST).
Lope De Vega – Ballylinch Stud’s star stallion Lope De Vega (Shamardal) was provided with his 92nd individual stakes winner when the Theresa Bateup-trained Monegal (6 m ex Sublissime by Rock Of Gibraltar) took out the Epona Stakes (Gr 3, 1900m) at Rosehill on Saturday. Last seen running fifth in the Canberra Cup (Listed, 2000m), the six-year-old mare bounced back to winning form to beat Nerve Not Verve (Shocking) by two and a quarter lengths. Feel The Rush (Proisir) was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third. Purchased by her trainer for just $3,000 at the 2017 Inglis Scone Yearling Sale from the Middlebrook Valley draft, Monegal is out of Sublissime (Rock Of Gibraltar) who herself is half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Morshdi (Slip Anchor) and Listed scorer Ilitshe (Fastnet Rock). In winning the race, Monegal became the 17th stakes winner for the former Patinack Farm resident Lope De Vega in Australia. The stallion now stands for a fee of €125,000 (approx. AU$186,350).
Nostradamus – The Lindsey Smith-trained In The Boat (4 g ex Almost Crystal by Snitzel) led from start to finish to win Friday’s Abell Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Moonee Valley, and in the process became the second individual stakes winner for Rosemont Stud stallion Nostradamus (Medaglia D’Oro). The $2.10 favourite was not for catching as he held off Regardsmaree (So You Think) by a length, with Katalin (Medaglia D’Oro) a further head back in third. Nostradamus stood for a fee of $5,500 (inc GST) in 2021.
Pins – Late Waikato Stud sire Pins (Snippets) was handed his 88th stakes winner when the Chris Waller-trained No Compromise (5 g ex Baggy Green by Galileo) landed Saturday’s NE Manion Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) at Rosehill. The five-year-old gelding stayed on strongly to defeat Surefire (Fastnet Rock) by half a length. Chalk Stream (Sea The Stars) was a further half a length away in third. Purchased by WJ Thurlow for $40,000 at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, No Compromise is out of the of the winning Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Baggy Green, making him a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Tofane (Ocean Park). Baggy Green herself is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winners Funstar (Adelaide) and Youngstar (High Chaparral). Pins died in 2018.
Playing God – Son Of A God (5 g ex Faslizan by Fasliyev) completed the second leg of a stakes race double for trainer Simon Miller at Ascot on Saturday, when the five-year-old saluted as favourite to claim the Grandstand Cup (Listed, 1500m). In becoming the sixth individual stakes winner for the late Playing God (Blackfriars), who sired the quinella, Son Of A God won by a length and three-quarters over Bruce Almighty, with Karli’s Karma (Deep Field) in third.
Recorder – Montfort Et Preaux resident Recorder (Galileo) sired his first stakes winner when Hot Queen (3 f ex Hot Fudge by Lomitas) again showed her liking for a testing surface by taking out the Prix La Camargo (Listed, 1600m) at a soggy Saint-Cloud on Saturday. The Pia and Joakim Brandt-trained filly was registering her third win in nine starts as she beat favourite Indian Wish (The Grey Gatsby) by half a length. Atareed (Muhaarar) was another length behind in third. Group 3 winner Recorder stands for a fee of €4,000 (approx. AU$5,965).
Savabeel – Black Sail (7 g ex Ennerdale by Singspiel) provided his sire Savabeel (Zabeel) with a 125th individual stakes scorer when he won the CS Hayes Memorial Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Morphettville. Ridden by Harry Coffey, Black Sail was yet another winner to go pillar-to-post in what was a dominant performance from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained seven-year-old, beating Royal Mile (Danerich) by two lengths with a further neck back to Farooq (Frankel) in third. A $170,000 purchase from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Black Sail is out of the Singspiel (In The Wings) mare Ennerdale and is a brother to Group 3 winner Éclair Big Bang and a half-brother to Group 2 winner Samara Dancer (Hinchinbrook), as well as to the stakes placegetters Dancer’s Kin (Ocean Park) and Defiant Dancer (Foxwedge). Ennerdale has a weanling colt by Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and visited Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) last spring. Champion sire Savabeel stood the 2021 breeding season at Waikato Stud for a fee of NZ$100,000 (Plus GST).
Shamardal – Law Of Peace (5 g ex Certify by Elusive Quality) became the 159th individual stakes winner for the late Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) when the five-year-old triumphed in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Championship (Listed, 2200m). Trained by Bhupat Seemar, Law Of Peace was winning for the fifth time in 17 starts as he beat El Patriota (Ecologo) by a length and a half. Court Poet (Dubawi) and Majestic Mambo (Mambo In Seattle) dead-heated for third, another length and a quarter away. Bred by Godolphin, Law Of Peace is the second foal out of Certify (Elusive Quality) who herself is a half-sister to the US Grade 1 winner Cry And Catch Me (Street Cry).
Street Boss – Anthony and Sam Freedman kept up their impressive record with Godolphin homebreds when Bistro (2 f ex Estaminet by Lonhro) scored in the Cinderella Stakes (Listed, 1050m) at Morphettville. Ridden by Jamie Kah, the two-year-old filly went on to record an all-the-way success in the Listed contest, beating Runaway Belle (Pariah) by a comfortable three lengths with a further three-quarters of a length back to See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet) in third. Bistro (Street Boss) is out of the winning Lonhro (Octogonal) mare Estaminet, a granddaughter of the triple Group 1 winner Tycoon Lil (Last Tycoon). Estaminet has a weanling colt by Frosted (Tapit) and was covered by Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) last spring. Bistro’s victory provided Darley Stud stallion Street Boss (Street Cry) with a 61st individual stakes winner. His fee at Darley’s NSW base last year was $55,000 (inc GST).
Street Cry – Street Cry (Machiavellian) was among the big-race winners once again when his son Leaderboard (7 g ex Flower Fairy by Dynaformer) put his best foot forward to take out Saturday’s New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) at Trentham, and in the process became the 134th individual stakes winner for the late Darley stallion. The European import was winning for the fifth time in New Zealand, and sixth in total, as he defeated Letsbringiton (Sebring) by a length and a quarter. Family Time (Redoute’s Choice) was another half a length away in third. Out of the Dynaformer (Roberto) mare Flower Fairy, Leaderboard has now won over $140,00 in prize-money with a third in the New Zealand Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) at Riccarton last November to go along with his six wins. The gelding was a 70,000gns buy for De Burgh Equine at the 2018 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale.
Sweet Orange – Daqiansweet Junior (4 g ex Paulette by Keeper) provided his sire Sweet Orange (War Front) with a second individual stakes winner when he scored in the Adelaide Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) at Morphettville. The Phillip Stokes-trained four-year-old registered a one-and-a-half-length success over the fellow New Zealand-bred Tigertiger (Zed). There was a further two lengths back to Future Score (Cape Cross) in third. Daqiansweet Junior is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the unraced Keeper (Danehill) mare Paulette. Sweet Orange was exported to China last year, where he now stands at Huayu Horse Industry.
Turn Me Loose – The Clinton McDonald-trained Ancient Girl (3 f ex Herculaneum by Elusive City) opened her stakes account when winning the Morphettville Guineas (Listed, 1600m), providing her sire Turn Me Loose (Iffraaj) with a fourth individual stakes winner. The three-year-old filly made all to beat Harleymoven (Foxwedge) by two and a half lengths with a further length and a quarter back to Set The Sails (More Than Ready) in third. A $150,000 purchase from the Windsor Park Stud consignment at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Ancient Girl is the best of four winners from as many to race out of the Elusive City (Elusive Quality) mare Herculaneum, a half-sister to Brisbane Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Art Success (Pentire). Turn Me Loose sired his fifth stakes winner when Prix De Turn (3 c ex Prix Du Sang by Red Ransom) won the Alister Clark Stakes (Gr 2, 2040m) at Moonee Valley. The Matthew Brown-trained colt finished one and a quarter lengths ahead of Can’t Go Wong (Per Incanto) with a further half-length back to War Eternal (Pierro). Purchased by Brown for $47,500 at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale from the Ohukia Lodge draft, Prix De Turn is one of three winners from five to race out of Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) fourth Prix Du Sang (Red Ransom). Brown purchased the colt’s two-year-old brother for $80,000 at last year’s NZB Ready to Race Sale. Turn Me Loose currently stands at Windsor Park Stud for a fee of NZ$15,000 (Plus GST).