Ole Kirk (AUS)
O: Werrett Bloodstock (Mgr: N R J Werrett), Dr A L Attebo, C H Madden, Mrs J G Madden, Gilgai Farm (Mgr: R R Jamieson), Mrs J V Allan, Arlington Park Racing (Mgr: B P Bradley) & Mrs A. Jockey
T: Team Hawkes
B: Gilgai Farm
S: Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale 2019 V: Gilgai Farm P: International Thoroughbred Solutions, $675,000
W: Talindert Stakes (Listed, 1100m), February 15, Flemington
Team Hawkes-trained colt Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), whose dam is a sister to unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), stamped his potential with a taking Listed success on debut at Flemington on Saturday.
Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, whose pre-race comments suggested the promising juvenile might show signs of inexperience mentally, Ole Kirk settled nicely on the far side, tracking a good tempo set by the leading group.
Quickening through a gap at the 300-metre marker, Ole Kirk mounted his challenge with 100 metres left to run. He finished nicely in the closing stages and fought on well to defeat Nitrous (Deep Field) by a short-neck, with Mildred (Hinchinbrook) a close-up third.
Named after the Danish carpenter who invented the global children’s toy LEGO, Ole Kirk certainly built a solid foundation to his career in becoming the 32nd stakes winner for Woodside Park Stud resident Written Tycoon (Iglesia), who stood for a fee of $110,000 (inc. GST) in 2019.
As well as being related to the great Black Caviar, whose career spanned 25 consecutive victories, Ole Kirk is also a nephew of Australia’s former champion three-year-old colt All Too Hard (Casino Prince), a four-time Group 1 winner on the track who now stands at Vinery Stud.
This is also the family of Group 1 winner and Sun Stud resident Magnus (Flying Spur) as well as tomorrow’s Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) favourite Hanseatic (Street Boss), giving Ole Kirk the ultimate stallion’s pedigree.
Since foaling Ole Kirk, Naturale (Bel Esprit) has produced a yearling filly by Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice). She missed to Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit) last year while she was subsequently served by Exceed And Excel (Danehill) in October.