Temperamental filly See You Soon to be covered by The Autumn Sun
Woodpark Stud trainer Jean Dubois pulls plug on promising Group-placed filly’s racetrack career
The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) has been chosen as the maiden suitor for the extremely talented but troublesome three-year-old See You Soon (Siyouni) whose racetrack career was dramatically cut short after the stubborn filly refused to go into the barriers.
The Jean Dubois-trained See You Soon was a shock late scratching as favourite in the Silver Shadow Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) last month and was attempting to gain a reprieve at the Rosehill barrier trial session yesterday.
A winner of the Kirkham Plate (1000m) last October and running placings in the Golden Gift (1100m), Reisling Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at two, the valuable filly was scratched from heat one after rearing in the air with attendants unable to coax her into the gates.
A frustrated Dubois immediately called a halt to the homebred filly’s career and, speaking to ANZ Bloodstock News later, revealed that See You Soon would be covered by Arrowfield Stud’s five-time Group 1 winner The Autumn Sun who is out of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Azmiyna.
“It is a shame with a filly like her and, of course, we could have spelled her but I don’t want to waste a year by trying again,” Dubois said.
“It’s a bit quick but it’s September now and we can’t waste any time, which is why after the first time she refused (in the Silver Shadow) we made some inquiries about who would be the right stallion for her and she’s going to be served by The Autumn Sun.
“Galileo can give her a bit of stamina, which never hurts, and of course he is by a champion in Redoute’s. He will be commercial and he has all you need to be a good stallion and the mating is good.”
Dubois said See You Soon had always displayed an unwillingness to want to load into the barriers, but it had deteriorated this preparation.
“She has never been that friendly with the barriers but last preparation she was OK,” he said.
“However, it got worse after the winter. She goes in fine at home … but she can be a nasty pony. They have a good memory.”
Bred to southern hemisphere time by Woodpark Stud’s Dr David Chaikin, See You Soon is a half-sister to Qatar’s champion older male for four consecutive years, the four-time Listed winner The Blue Eye (Dubawi), as well as four other winners including the Dubois-trained Julian Rock (Invincible Spirit).
Her dam, Soneva (Cherokee Run), a half-sister to US Listed winner Coronado Rose (Coronado’s Quest), was a four-time stakes winner including two Group 3 victories in France.
See You Soon has a yearling half-sister by Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and Soneva is due to foal to Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) in early October.
Soneva is expected to be covered by Darley first season shuttler Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) once she foals down this year while the yearling filly is set to be offered at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January.
“The Fastnet Rock filly looks really good. She’s a nice foal. She’s taller than this one (See You Soon) and she will go to the Magic Millions in January, but I don’t know yet who will consign her,” Dubois said.
See You Soon is by France’s leading sire Siyouni (Pivotal), who currently leads this year’s table with 44 individual winners and four stakes winners having finished runner-up by earnings to Coolmore’s goliath Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) last year and second in 2018 as well behind Nathaniel (Galileo).
Standing at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in France, Siyouni covered seven mares to southern hemisphere time in 2017 and eight in 2018.
Two yearling colts by the stallion sold at the Magic MIllions sale in January for $400,000 and $220,000 respectively while a filly by the sire was bought by Bon Ho’s Legend Racing for $400,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.