Tyreel has race mares and broodmares overseas by buying superb pedigree stock and races them to prove their ability. Some will come to Australia whilst others will remain in the Northern Hemisphere and resulting foals will be sold.Currently Tyreel race mares and their progeny Internationally...
Currently Tyreel race mares and their progeny Internationally...
A.P. Warrior Sires First Foal
Bred in the USA by the late Mr Jim Fleming and his son Dean, A.P. Warrior was an exceptional race horse, capturing the Grade 3 San Felipe Stakes and the La Jolla Handicap, also at Grade 3 level. A winner of over US$500,000 in stakes earnings, A. P. Warrior also ran 3rd in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.
Out of Jim and Dean Fleming’s Grade 1 winning Quiet American mare Warrior Queen, a Champion 3YO Filly in Ireland, A. P. Warrior has recently embarked on a stud career of his own.
Siring his first foal, born January 27, the bay filly is out of the Storm Cat mare Full Moon Tonight. Owned by Stonewall Farm, the very stud that A.P. Warrior stands at, the filly dam was a $1 million yearling purchase and is out of the Affirmed mare Successfully, a full-sister to champion Flawlessly.
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A. P. Warrior first foal out of Full Moon Tonight
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Warrior Queen by Quiet American - out of an Afleet mare, weighted as the best sprinting filly in England and Ireland. A race mare bought in foal to A.P. Indy in 2003 (November). The A.P. Indy yearling was sold at Keeneland September 2004 for AUD$1,800,000. The A.P. Indy colt races under the name of A. P. Warrior and was a very impressive winner at his first start in USA, and has since gone on to capture a stakes race as well as numerous stakes placings.
The 2nd foal by Storm Cat ex Warrior Queen is a filly which was sold at Keeneland in September 2005 for a sale record for a filly of $3.8 million U.S. Her 3rd foal, another filly by Storm Cat was offered as Hip 125 at the recent Keenland September Yearling Sales (2006), her pedigree can be viewed by clicking here. Since the catalogue had been produced, A.P. Warrior, the half brother to this filly has recorded another Grade II win, taking out the La Jolla at Del Mar. The filly was purchased by
Skara Glen Stables for US$2.2 million.
Starcraft by Soviet Star out of Flying Floozie (NZ) won two international races during last month. He won Gr1 Prix du Moulin in France and followed this effort by winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Gr1. Flying Floozie (NZ) the newly acquired broodmare at Tyreel is the dam of Starcraft - unfortunately however her 2005 foal was lost.
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Starcraft defeating Dubawi in the
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket
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Hula Angel the Irish 1000 Guineas winner, that Tyreel kept in Ireland after her win in the Guineas, is now safely in Australia and is in foal to More Than Ready (USA) which is great news. However one of her last Irish offspring was a colt by Rock of Gibraltar which made $250,000 Euros at Goffs September Yearling Sale which equates to $400,000 AUD. The colt will be trained by Jeremy Noseda and he has been named Shevchenko (IRE).
Sunday 26th November (South Africa) - Our Giant Records Gr 2 Placing
The Charles Laird trained Out Giant (Giant's Causeway (USA)x Macrosa (NZ)) recorded a 3rd placing in the Gr 2 Gommagomma Dingaans. Being a veteran of only 4 starts where he has recorded 2 wins, a 2nd and now Gr 2 placing the talented Tyreel bred galloper appears to have his fair share of ability. Purchased from the 2005 Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast by astute South African trainer Charles Laird for $480,000.
Macrosa (N)Z recently foaled a More Than Ready (USA) colt, a full brother to Macrosa's (NZ) offering this year at the 2006 Magic Millions yearling sale, which went to Queensland trainer Lyle Plumb racing.
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Thursday November 2nd (USA) - A.P. Warrior's Fee Announced
Also in Kentucky, Stonewall Farm Stallions "announced a US$20,000 stud fee for multiple Gr2-winning 3YO colt A.P. Warrior (A.P.Indy-Warrior Queen, by Quiet American), the newest arrival at the Versailles farm," reported thoroughbredtimes.com.
A.P. Warrior (who finished 3rd in his final start in the Gr2 Oak Tree Derby on October 14) was bred by Australia's Tyreel Stud principal Jim Fleming & sold for US$1.3 million as a yearling; he retired with 4 wins (including the Gr2 La Jolla Handicap over 8.5 furlongs on turf at Del Mar in August & Gr2 San Felipe Stakes on dirt in March, plus placings in both this year's Gr1 Santa Anita Derby & Gr2 Swaps Breeders' Cup Stakes at Hollywood Park, as well as runner-up in the 2005 Gr2 Norfolk Stakes) from 13 starts for US$548,595 earnings. A.P. Warrior is the 1st foal from Irish stakes-winner Warrior Queen (purchased by Fleming for US$2 million at the 2002 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in foal to A.P.Indy in her 1st year at stud).
At Keeneland in September 2005, Fleming sold Warrior Queen's 2nd foal (A.P. Warrior's Storm Cat half-sister) for US$3.8 million (highest-priced filly at the sale). And last month Skara Glen Stable paid US$2.2 million for Warrior Queen's 3rd foal (another Storm Cat filly).
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Monday 23rd October (USA) - A.P. Warrior To Retire To Stonewall Farm
Stan Fulton's multiple Grade 2 winner A. P. Warrior has been retired and sold privately to Audrey Haisfield's Stonewall Farm.
The three-year-old A.P. Indy colt will stand at the Versailles, Kentucky, farm in 2007. No stud fee was announced.
A. P. Warrior finished third in the Oak Tree Derby (G2) on October 14. The sale was finalized on Friday after Stonewall's Bert Welker flew to Santa Anita Park to inspect the colt.
A. P. Warrior came out of the Oak Tree Derby sound, but he will not race anymore, Welker said.
"He's an awesome physical specimen, and he's a direct descendent of Storm Bird out of a stakes winning Quiet American mare," Welker said. "He's very appealing."
A. P. Warrior retires with four wins from 13 starts and earnings of $548,595. He won graded stakes on dirt and turf, taking the 2006 San Felipe Stakes (G2) and the La Jolla Handicap (G2). He also finished second in the Norfolk Stakes (G2) as a two-year-old.
"He was a very versatile horse, but his greatest thing is when he's challenged, he really digs in during the last 1/16 of a mile," said John Shirreffs, who trained the colt over his last seven races. "I think he could make a great stallion. He's got a wonderful pedigree, he's good looking, and he's always been healthy."
A. P. Warrior was bred in Kentucky by Jim Fleming. Fulton bought him for $1.3-million at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale.
A. P. Warrior is out of the stakes winning Quiet American mare Warrior Queen, highweight filly in England and Ireland at five-to-seven furlongs. His third dam Ocean's Answer is a half sister to Storm Bird, champion two-year-old in England and Ireland. Storm Bird has sired 35 group or graded stakes winners, including Grade 1 winner Storm Cat, leading sire in America in 1999 and 2000 and the most popular commercial sire in the world today.
A. P. Warrior is scheduled to travel to Kentucky sometime next week.
"He's got a Grade 1 pedigree, and he's a very correct, physically imposing horse, and that's what the market wants," Welker said. "It's hard to buy into a family like this and we're just pleased to have him."
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Sunday 1st October (France) -Group 1 Number Two For Danehill's Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor bounced back to winning form with a smooth victory in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) on Arc day at Longchamp.
Fallon brought the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, beaten by Teofilo on his previous start, to lead just inside the final furlong, where Holy Roman Emperor stayed on strongly to beat Battle Paint, with Eoghan O'Neill's Vital Equine a creditable third.
Battle Paint came with a strong run on the far side, but Fallon brought Holy Roman Emperor between horses to storm into the lead and run out a convincing winner.
O'Brien said: "He was due to run in France (Prix Morny), but missed that and was a little bit off schedule when he got beaten last time (by Teofilo in the National Stakes).
"But he has improved hand over fist since.
"He's a very good horse and he's getting better with every run. Racing brings out the best in him.
"He's fast, he's tough and he's hardy. He quickens and he stays.
"If everything goes well we'd be delighted to go to the Dewhurst with him because that's what he loves - competitive racing is going to bring the best out of him.
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Holy Roman Emperor recording his second Group 1 victory. |
"Kieren said when he got to the front he was just doing enough.
"He's a horse to really look forward to next year. He'll definitely get the mile and might even get further if you wanted him to."
Fallon added: "We were disappointed that he got beaten last time, but he showed just how good he is today.
"He's got a great turn of foot and has everything that you would want in a horse."
The full brother top Australian Gr. 1 performer, Milanova, has now won 4 of 6 starts, with a 2nd at his previous start. Milanova, jointly owned by Sweetenham and Tyreel Studs, has a yearling by Encosta de Lago filly on the ground as well as she has recently foaled a Dehere (USA) colt.
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Saturday 30th September (New Zealand) -Bonaichi Takes Out Bonecrusher
The Tyreel raced and owned Star Way (GB) mare, Bonanova (NZ) was represented by her first stakes winner on Saturday when her talented Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) 3YO daughter, Bonaichi scored a deserved win in the Listed NZ $50,000
Listed AuRC Stella Artois Bonecrusher Stakes over 1400 metres at Ellerslie.
Bonaichi is the third foal of the outstanding Gr.1 winning mare, who's career highlight came when she took out the VRC Emirates Stakes at her last start, taking her earnings past the $1million mark. With all of her foals to date being sold through the Easter Yearling Sales, the average price for the 4 to sell is a staggering $525,000, with the highest price being paid for her 2nd foal, a Danehill (USA) colt purchased by Darley Australia, who now races as Nova Sofala under the care of Warwick Farm trainer Guy Walter.
Bonaichi herself was purchased from the 2005 Easter Yearling Sales for $300,000 by successful Auckland breeder Don McLaren. "I've always wanted to own a filly from the Eight Carat family and now I'm lucky enough to have one who is a stakes winner," McLaren said. "She cost me A$300,000 at the sales but she's returned my investment in kind having black side by her name. The Eight Carat family is a licence to print money."
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Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) x Bonanova (NZ)), before the 2005 Easter Yearling Sales |
Having raced on 5 occasions for 2 wins, both at her latest two runs since a spell, Bonaichi trained by the duo of Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott will now be aimed towards the Group 1 NZ$275,000 New Zealand Bloodstock 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton on November 11.
Bonanova's (NZ) first foal, Bonasera, by Danehill (USA) has recently foaled a cracking More Than Ready (USA) colt. Bonanova (NZ) has an outstanding filly by first season sire and Champion Racehorse, Lonhro entered for the 2007 Easter Yearling Sales. So any further black type for Bonaichi will only aid in promoting this filly.
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Bonaichi (Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) x Bonanova (NZ)) taking out the Listed Bonecrusher Stakes.
Picture Courtesy of Trish Dunell, New Zealand Thoroughbred Update
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Tuesday 19th September (Great Britain) - Shevchenko Makes Impressive Debut
Irish 1000 Guineas winner, the Tyreel Stud owned, Hula Angel (USA) was represented by her 3rd foal, 2YO Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) colt, Shevchenko (IRE). Trained by Jeremy Noseda, Shevchenko (IRE) stepped out in a Maiden over 7f at Newmarket. Racing as though more distance would be appreciated Shevchenko was anchored towards the rear in the first part of the race but made good progress in the final two furlongs. He wasn't knocked about when his rider realised the winner had gone beyond recall, but will soon repay this kindness and is another winner in the making.
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Sunday 17th September (Ireland) -Emperor Beaten But Not Disgraced
Danehill (USA) colt Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) finished a gallant second in Sundays Group 1 Laing O'Rourke National Stakes over 7f to the unbeaten Galileo (IRE) cot Teofilo (IRE).
Holy Roman Emperor, who had carved such a strong reputation with his triumph in the Phoenix Stakes, did very little wrong. He was ideally positioned when Teofilo quickened the tempo of the race but seemed to hit a slightly flat patch and was quite simply beaten for toe. The positive is that he showed no lack of stamina, and his ranking as one of the season's top performers is assuredly not in question. To judge from Aidan O'Brien's post-race remarks it will be no surprise to see him in action again this term. Possibly heading to France of Arc de Triomphe for the
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardee (Grand Criterium) over 7f.
Milanova a full sister to Holy Roman Emperor, bred and raced by Sweetenham Stud, and now jointly owned by that stud as well as Tyreel Stud, has a smashing Encosta de Lago yearling filly that if sold through through a sale next year would be one of the most admired and vaunted filly of any sale. She has also just foaled down a Dehere (USA) colt.
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Sunday 13th August (Ireland) -Group 1 for Holy Roman Emperor
Holy Roman Emperor was made clear favourite for the 2,000 Guineas on Sunday after convincingly turning round Royal Ascot form with Helvellyn in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
His impressive performance in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood-sponsored event maintained Aidan O'Brien's stranglehold on the Group 1 contest, giving the Ballydoyle trainer his eighth win in the race in the last nine runnings.
2,000 Guineas winner George Washington won the Phoenix last year en route to Newmarket glory.
Holy Roman Emperor, who will make a quick return to action in the Prix Morny at Deauville next Sunday, clocked a time of 1m 11.06 secs on the good to firm ground compared with the 1m 12.70 secs recorded by George Washington when he won the race by eight lengths on good going.
O'Brien and Fallon agree that Holy Roman Emperor has the potential to go a long way, but differed slightly as to why he ran so much below expectations at Royal Ascot. O'Brien maintained that inexperience after only one run and a high draw contributed to the colt wandering about and being beaten around eight lengths behind Hellvelyn.
However after Sunday's smoothly-achieved victory Fallon said: "This horse must have been feeling something at Ascot as he ran no sort of race. He showed what he was capable of when he came back and won the Railway Stakes here last month and he was better again today.
"He has a great temperament and he bounces off fast ground. I just had to shake the reins at him and he went and won the race in a matter of strides."
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Holy Roman Emperor (Dark Blue) defeats Helvellyn in the center. |
Regarding a trip to France next weekend O'Brien said: "This colt is built like a tank and you can see that he wants to race. We'll see how he comes out of today's race, but we are thinking of the Morny for him. Six furlongs suits him well, but he won't mind going further later on.
"When he got through to deliver his challenge today, he was explosive and really turned it on."
That challenge came over one furlong out as Fallon, who had tracked the leaders all the way, shook up his mount before hitting the front early in the final furlong.
Jockey Ted Durcan offered no excuses for runner-up Hellvelyn who started 13-8 joint favourite with the winner.
"My horse has run a very good race, but this time Holy Roman Emperor was too good for him. I had first run on him, but he picked my fellow up and went and won easily. My fellow was a bit keen for about 100 yards after the start, but I got him back and everything went to plan-bar the result." Durcan said.
Milanova, the full sister to Holy Roman Emperor, currently owned jointly by Tyreel Stud and Swettenham Stud is due to foal to international Sire, Dehere (USA), within the coming weeks. She produced a cracking Encosta de Lago filly this time last year, a filly who would not look out of place in any of the major yearling sales around the world. L'On Vite (USA), the dam of both Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) and Milanova, currently has a Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) yearling on the ground.
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Saturday 12th August (United States) - A.P. Warrior Takes Out La Jolla (Gr 2) On The Turf
Stan Fulton's A.P. Warrior made his turf debut a successful one when he nosed favorite Porto Santo in the $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) for 3-year-olds at Del Mar Saturday.
The strapping son of A. P. Indy, ridden by David Flores, emerged with a victory under slight left-handed urging, locking up on the inside of the closing Porto Santo for a superb stretch battle in the 1 1/16-mile La Jolla.
"I heard (Porto Santo) come up outside me at the eighth pole, but I could feel my horse dig in," Flores said. "He went hard. That is one of the great feelings in life – to have your horse fight back and not let another horse pass. He wasn't going to let them get by him today."
The winning time was an excellent 1:40 3/5, second fastest since the race was changed from the one-mile distance in 1987.
With the victory, A.P. Warrior becomes a leading candidate for the $400,000 Del Mar Derby (gr. II) on the grass at nine furlongs Sept. 3. A.P. Warrior carried the high weight assignment of 120 pounds, two more than the runner-up.
Trainer John Shirreffs switched A.P. Warrior to the turf after the colt ran third, beaten by nine lengths, at odds of 17-10 in the Swaps Breeders' Cup (gr. II) at Hollywood Park July 8.
A.P. Warrior tracked the pace while running third off the rail, rallying between horses in the stretch to get the victory in game fashion. Shirreffs credited Flores with getting A.P. Warrior to settle off the pace Saturday.
"He's been in some funny situations where he went head to head with Point Determined a couple of times, which probably wasn't a good thing for him," Shirreffs said. "All horses like to get into a nice rhythm and save something for the end, whether it's close or far back depending on the style. They have their own little comfort zone. They all need to develop a style and that's important."
A.P. Warrior earned US$90,000 for his fourth win in 12 starts and has banked US$530,595 in his career.
A. P. Warrior was sold as a yearling at the 2004 Keeneland September Yearling Sales, making US $1.4 million. Tyreel Stud principal Mr Jim Fleming and his son Dean were responsible for the selling of this yearling, as they had purchased the dam, Warrior Queen, in foal (carrying A. P. Warrior) sometime before hand for $US2 million.
The win of A. P. Warrior could not have come at a better time, with his half-sister set to go through the upcoming 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sales. This filly is a full sister to last years $US3.8 million yearling sold, the highest priced filly to be sold at the sale.
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Sunday July 23rd (South Africa) -Our Giant Triumphs
Racing at Greyville, South Africa the Charles Laird trained Our Giant (Giant’s Causeway-Macrosa), scored an emphatic 2.75 length victory over 1600m at his first race start. Bred by Dean Fleming, Our Giant was sold under the Tyreel Stud banner at the 2005 Magic Millions yearling sale to South African trainer Charles Laird for $480,000.
Out of the dual Listed winning Mc Ginty (NZ) mare Macrosa (NZ), Our Giant is the forth foal to race from the mare, resulting in a 100% runners to winners ratio. Macrosa currently has a Viscount weanling and is due to foal to More Than Ready (USA).
At the record breaking 2006 William Inglis and Son Easter Yearling Sale, Charles Laird also purchased another Giant’s Causeway (USA) yearling from the Tyreel Stud draft. This time a bay/brown filly out of the Gulch (USA) mare, Tuscan Sky (USA) for $200,000.
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Saturday 8th July (United States) - A.P. Warrior 3rd In Swaps
With just four starters in the Grade 2 Swap's Breeders Cup, the race unfolded perfectly for the Pennsylvania-bred dark bay Brahms gelding who sat third while racing well off the rail as A.P. Warrior and Point Determined gunned for the early lead. A.P. Warrior, ridden by David Flores, maintained a slight advantage on the inside of Point Determined. Near the quarter pole, it was clear that A.P. Warrior had enough as Point Determined forged on for Victor Espinoza.
It was clear that the suicidal tactics employed by A.P. Warrior's and Point Determined's jockey, that they were going to succumb to another of the starters in the race, and that is how it panned out.
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Monday 3rd July(Great Britain)- Holy Roman Emperor Wins Group Two
Courtesy of Tara Madgwick - Breednet
Regular readers of the Breednet Newsletter will already be awake to Holy Roman Emperor, a superbly bred two-year old Danehill colt from the Aidan O’Brien yard, who captured his first stakes success at The Curragh on Sunday when taking out the Railway Stakes over six furlongs.
For the uninitiated, the story goes like this.
Holy Roman Emperor is the eleventh foal of 20-year old L’On Vite, a much-traveled daughter of hugely influential broodmare Fanfreluche, whose descendants include leading Aussie sires Encosta de Lago and Flying Spur.
She begun her stud career in America, producing stakes-winners in Japan and Scandinavia before venturing to Australia for a series of matings with Danehill, the results of which have been highlighted by the Group Three winner and Group One placed mare Milanova, a $700,000 Easter yearling sale purchase in 2001. Milanova, currently owned by both Swettenham Stud and Tyreel Stud, has an Encosta de Lago weanling on the ground and is in foal to Dehere (USA).
After producing her fourth Australian bred filly by Danehill in 2002, L’On Vite went back to the Northern Hemisphere for another rendezvous with Danehill, this time producing the colt that now races as Holy Roman Emperor.
Hence the Australian interest in this fellow, as this Coolmore owned colt would seem a moral to be heading our way for a dual hemisphere stud career if his race performances can match his peerless pedigree.
Holy Roman Emperor was having his third race start in the Railway, having won impressively on debut at Leopardstown before failing in the Coventry Stakes Gr 2 at Royal Ascot.
On that occasion connections feel he was disadvantaged by track bias after drawing wide, but he left no doubt about his quality after this display, defeating two previously unbeaten colts in Drayton and Excellent Art to win by three parts of a length.
Aidan O’Brien has now provided eight of the last 10 winners of this event, including King of Kings, Bernstein, Rock of Gibraltar, Hold That Tiger, Antonius Pius and George Washington.Holy Roman Emperor followed the same path as Rock of Gibraltar – unplaced in the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2) at Royal Ascot on June 20, after winning on debut at Leopardstown a fortnight previously
Also worth noting is that Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) scored his first Black Type success in the very same race.
Holy Roman Emperor is now likely to head towards the Group One Phoenix Stakes on August 13.
Monday 26th June (Great Britain)- Commanding Victory for Sicilian
Sicilian (IRE), the second foal of Grp 1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner, Hula Angel (USA), broke his maiden in fine style at Windsor today, recording a 2 1/2 length victory over a field of 12 runners in the Clic Sargent Handicap (3-y-o). Having his sixth career start, the gelded son of Champion Sire, Sadler's Wells (USA) was bred by Mr J R Fleming and is also raced in the same connections, carrying the famous White, Lilac Sash and Cap silks.
Hula Angel (USA) by Woodman (USA), now resides at the renowned Tyreel Stud as part of the elite broodmare band. She is currently in foal to More Than Ready (USA), sire of recent SAJC Goodwood Hcp winner Perfectly Ready. Her last overseas born foal was by Danehill's (USA) champion race-horse son, Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE), and was sold at the Goffs September sale to Aidan O'Brien for $250,000 Euros.
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More Than Ready (USA), the sire that was selected for Hula Angel's (USA) first Australian mating. |
Saturday 24th June (Japan)- Down But Not Out
After a recent victory over 1600m, Gaburin came within a head margin of registering 2 wins on the trot. Racing in the Osaka Sports Handicap for 3-y-o at the Kyoto race course, Gaburin was run down in the last few strides, to only emphasize that he is currently in great form.
Bred in Australia by Mr J R Fleming's Tyreel Stud, and offered at the 2004 William Inglis Easter Yearling, Gaburin was one of many standout lots offered by Tyreel, helping them end the sale as the leading vendor on averages. Purchased by successful Japanese race horse owner Mr Yoshinori Sakae, for $650,000, Gaburin has done all his racing under the care of astute trainer, Mr Hideyuki Mori.
Dashing Eagle (Danehill (USA)), the dam of Gaburin, is currently carrying a full relation (by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA)) to Gaburin, with the resulting foal due to be foaled down within the next few months, before Dashing Eagle has another booking to one of the Hunter Valley's top stallions, possibly even Fusaichi Pegasus (USA).
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Saturday 17th June (United States) - Oh So Close For A.P.
Courtesy of Bloodhorse.com
In a desperate battle to the wire with A.P. Warrior, jockey Victor Espinoza urged everything he could from the favourite Point Determined, who responded on the outside to win by a nose in the $100,000 Affirmed Handicap (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at Hollywood Park.
A.P. Warrior defeated Point Determined in an upset by a half-length in the San Felipe (gr. II) at Santa Anita in March. Point Determined finished second and A.P. Warrior third in the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) won by Brother Derek three weeks later, so little has separated the battling colts this season.
This time, A.P. Warrior -- ridden for the first time by David Flores and carrying 120 pounds -- led all the way in the battle of Kentucky Derby (gr. I) also-rans until Point Determined, toting 121, edged past near the furlong marker. But the 1 1/16-mile Affirmed was just warming up at that point.
Jockey David Flores said he wound up on the lead with A.P. Warrior because no one else wanted it, and the pace was just so-so – :23 4/5, ::46 4/5 and 1:11. Both had plenty left for the sparkling finish.
"I knew by the three-eighths pole they were going to come, so I kind of started to work him there at the three-eighths," he said. "I got after him slowly, tried to keep him on the lead. At least to keep his neck or head in front, because (Point Determined), he was pretty game, too. My horse was kinda' coming back, but ... it was just two even horses."
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A. P. Warrior (right), being run down in the final strides by Point Determined. |
Thursday 15th June (United Kingdom)- Holy Roman Emperor Catches The Eye
Courtesy of Breednet
A sparkling debut win at Leopardstown in Ireland last week by two-year old colt Holy Roman Emperor will have caught the eye of Australian breeders as the colt is by Danehill from L’On Vite (USA), a royally bred mare who has spent a significant part of her stud career in Australia.
Holy Roman Emperor is the eleventh foal of 20-year old L’On Vite, who begun her stud career in America, producing stakes-winners in Japan and Scandinavia before venturing to Australia for a series of matings with Danehill, the results of which have been highlighted by the Group Three winner and Group One placed mare Milanova, a $700,000 Easter yearling sale purchase in 2001. Milanova, currently owned by both Swettenham Stud and Tyreel Stud, has an Encosta de Lago weanling on the ground and is in foal to Dehere (USA).
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Milanova, owned jointly by Tyreel and Swettenham Studs. |
After producing her fourth Australian bred filly by Danehill in 2002, L’On Vite went back to the Northern Hemisphere for another rendezvous with Danehill, this time producing the colt that now races as Holy Roman Emperor.
Owned by Susan Magnier and trained by Aidan O’Brien, the dashing colt garnered rave reviews for his first-up win, scoring a soft victory under hands and heels riding to be labeled a “TDN Rising Star” by the highly respected Thoroughbred Daily News.
“He was very impressive, there’s no doubt about that, but it was only a maiden and you can never be sure of the quality of the horses behind him,” said Coolmore’s Australian Manager, Michael Kirwan, adding the colt may go to Royal Ascot next week for the Coventry.
Holy Roman Emperor has tremendous stallion potential if he can go on from this promising beginning and achieve Group One success, so his progress this season will be keenly monitored.
His dam L’On Vite is a daughter of blue hen American mare Fanfreluche, whose stellar dynasty of descendants includes leading Australian sires Flying Spur and Encosta de Lago.
At the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday, UK based bloodstock agent Grant Pritchard-Gordon secured Egerszegi, a full sister to Holy Roman Emperor and Milanova, for $280,000 under his Badgers Bloodstock banner.
In foal to Royal Academy (USA), Egerszegi also featured during the weanling section of the sale when her filly by Elusive Quality (USA) made $70,000 to the bid of Kiwi agent Paul Beamish.
Saturday 10th June (Japan) - Gaburin Can't Be Run Down
Racing for the second time since his unplaced effort in the Group 2 UAE Derby, Gaburin led all the way for a comfortable length victory in the Shonan Stakes (L) over 1600m at Tokyo racecourse. Ridden by Australian jockey, Glen Boss, the $650,000 Inglis Easter graduate jumped straight to his usual role, and was unable to be run down at the business end of proceedings.
Out of the dual Group 1 winning Danehill (USA) mare, Dashing Eagle, Gaburin was bred and raised at Tyreel and was offered for sale as part of the quality draft of yearlings at the 2004 Easter Yearling Sales. Purchased by Mr Yoshinori Sakae, Gaburin is trained by successful Japanese trainer Mr Hideyuki Mori.
Dashing Eagle is currently in foal to Fusaichi Pegasus (USA), making the resultant foal, a full relation to this quality galloper. When the time comes for that yearling to venture to the sales ring, it is sure to be much sort after by the Japanese connections of Gaburin.
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Gaburin, scoring at a recent Tokyo meeting, also with Glen Boss aboard. |
Wednesday 7th June (Ireland) - Holy Roman Emperor Looks Very Smart
2 year old Danehill (USA) colt, Holy Roman Emperor scored a commanding 1 1/2 length win on debut at Leopardstown today. Breaking quickly from the barriers, the second favourite sat in a handy position throughout the race. Rounding the home turn, jockey Kieren Fallon moved the Aiden O'Brien trained colt into clear running to quickly gather in the leaders under hands and heels riding to score comfortably.
If ridden right out, the winning margin would have been a lot greater for the son of Secretariat mare L'On Vite, making him a full brother to the Group 3 winning and twice Group 1 placed Milanova. Herself an Easter Graduate, the daughter of Danehill now resides at Tyreel Stud, where she produced an outstanding Encosta de Lago filly, and is currently in foal to Dehere (USA).
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Milanova with her Encosta de Lago filly. |
Sunday 27th May (Hong Kong) - Danehills' Express Scores!
Having only his 2nd start in Hong Kong, Danehill entire Danehill Express scored an emphatic win in the HK$1 million Class 2 Quicken Away Handicap over 1600m at Sha Tin tonight. "He hasn't been here too long and I was thinking I just wanted to get him up and running and let him experience Hong Kong racing before the season ended. But he's adjusted quickly and a win with him at this stage is a bit of a bonus," stated a jubilant John Size, who predicts a bright future for the half-brother to former Hong Kong star Mr Vitality.
Having 9 starts in Australia before heading to Hong Kong, Danehill Express record some impressive performances, with the highlight being his second placing by fellow Danehill entire Al Maher in the Grp 1 VRC Cadbury Guineas, in which he beat home Grp 1 winner Econsul.
Racing under the care of Brian Mayfield-Smith in Australia, Danehill Express's form lapsed due to an apparent lung aliment and his owner Larry Yung Chi-Kin decided it was time for an environment change and sent him to Hong Kong to leading trainer John Size.
"I'm unaware of what actually happened with him in Australia," said trainer John Size. "But he didn't come to me with any problem and he hasn't had one since."
The combination of trainer John Size and jockey Douglas Whyte appear to be for more success in the future with this horse if anything can be gauged by Whyte's feelings.
"What's exciting is how much John's horses do usually come on again when they've had the sort of race Danehill Express had today." The trainer/jockey combination ended the night with a winning double, taking the last with the unbeaten Armada.
Other than Mr Vitality, Danehill Express's dam, the Grp 1 AJC Oaks winner Savana City has produced the Grp 2 winning Rose O' War and triple Listed winner of the Mornington Cup, Gunnamatta. Bred by Tyreel Stud, Danehill Express was knocked down for $1million at the 2003 William Inglis and Son Easter Sales to the bid of Mr. Ivan Allan.
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John Size, owner Larry Yung Chi-kin and Douglas Whyte celebrate Danehill Express' win. Photo: Kenneth Chan (SCMP)
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Danehill Express (Danehill x Savana City) |
Wednesday 24th May (Hong Kong) - Another Placing For Milestone
The John Size trained New Milestone (Flying Spur x Ballroom Babe (NZ)) produced a late surge to grab 2nd place behind the runaway winner, Flying General in a Class 3 1000m dash at Happy Valley tonight.
Ridden by Douglas Whyte, New Milestone sat midfield behind the leaders for the majority of the journey, but rounding the home turn, the eventual winner gained a run on his inside, resulting in New Milestone not gaining a run until the race was over.
A three-quarter brother to Grp 3 winners, Hidden Dragon and Tahni Girl as well as the promising Japanese raced Solo Turn, New Milestone has career earnings of almost HK$2 million.
Ballroom Babe (NZ), is currently in foal to Galileo (IRE), and had a Redoute's Choice colt, as can be seen below.
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Redoute's Choice x Ballroom Babe (NZ), a full brother to Grp 3 winner Tahni Girl. |
Sunday 14th April (Singapore) - Lim's Fighter - Ever So Consistent
Facing the starter for only his 1th start today, the Flying Spur gelding recorded another placing to take his career stats to 11 starts for 3 wins and 5 2nd placings. Having always collected a prize money cheque, the John Meagher trained and Tyreel bred Lim's Fighter, was positioned just behind the leader throughout in the heavy conditions, to go down narrowly behind the leader and eventual winner, Royal Admiral.
Sky Watch, the dam of Lim's Victory currently has a positive test, to Royal Academy's (USA), Grp 1 Blue Diamond winning son in Bel Esprit.
Saturday 15th April (Hong Kong) - Dongguan Victory To The Fore
Dongguan Victory showed once again with his recent form, that the son of Octagonal is definitely on the improve. Having recorded 2 of his 3 career wins from his last 5 starts, the durable middle distance galloper scored over the 1650m journey on the Sha Tin dirt track on Saturday night.
Having been with numerous trainers in his career, it appears that his latest one, Y. S. Tsui seems to have figured him out, producing some of his best career results to date.
Macrosa, the dam of Dongguan Victory, is currently available for private sale. More information can be obtained by clicking here or contact Tyreel's Stud Manager, John Vincent on
0417 428 410.
Saturday 8th April (USA) - A.P. Gallant In Defeat
A. P. Warrior took on small but select field in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on Saturday, finishing 3rd to nominal Kentucky Derby favourite, Brother Derek by Benchmark (USA). Brother Derek jumped straight to the lead, and that was where he stayed for the 1 1/8 mile journey. A. P. Warrior tried hard to stay in touch but the leader was just too strong. Point Determined edge out A. P. Warrior in the last stride taking second ahead of the son of A. P. Indy.
Meanwhile in other Kentucky Derby news, Bob and John, coming off a third-place finish behind A.P. Warrior and Point Determined in the San Felipe (gr. II) at Santa Anita March 18, scored an impressive 1 1/2-length victory in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (gr. I) for 3-year-olds at muddy Aqueduct Saturday.
The form seems to be around all of these horses, so at this stage although it does appear like Brother Derek does have the wood on his rivals, anything could happen in the Run For The Roses.
Friday 7th April (Singapore) - Lim To Victory
After a last start 2nd in a Progressive Hcp, 3 year old gelding Lim's Fighter (Flying Spur x Sky Watch) scored an impressive 2 1/2 length victory in an Open Benchmark 67 event over 1400m. Ridden by champion jockey Soo Khoon Beng, who in winning maintained his lead on the premiership, was responsible for a great ride.
Jumping well from the barrier, Lim's Fighter headed towards the lead, only to be taken on. Beng, allowed the John Meagher trained gelding to settle 2nd, about 2 lengths from the leader. Round the home turn, the breaks were taken off, and Lim's Fighter quickly accelerated past the tiring leader. Hitting the lead at the 250m mark, there was never any signs of a real challenge.
Now having had 9 starts for 3 wins, this talented galloper looks set for better things in the future.
Saturday 18th March. (USA) - A. P. Warrior Wins Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes.
Having only been with his new trainer for a little over a month, the John Shirreffs trained A. P. Indy colt, A. P. Warrior turned in a gutsy performances to take out the Grade 2 US$250,000 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita today. Jumping from the inside barrier, jockey Corey Nakatani let A. P. Warrior find his feet, settling in fifth position, just off the pace. Biding his time until the home turned, Nakatani launched his run on A. P. Warrior, four wide on the turn, dashing 1 1/2 lengths clear of the field. Holding off the final challenge of runner up Point Determined, to score by 1/2 a length in the time of 1:42 2/5 for the 1 1/16-mile journey. Even money favourite Bob and John wound up in third place 2 lengths behind Point Determined, after sustaining a long run from well back in the field.
Having now had 7 career starts for 3 wins, the son of Quiet American (USA) mare, Warrior Queen (USA) has amassed US$287,185 in prize money. Warrior Queen (USA) was purchased in foal to A. P. Indy by Mr Jim Fleming, with the resulting foal, A. P. Warrior being sold for AUD$1.8 million at the 2004 Keenland September sales to Mr Stan Fulton. After a disappointing fourth placing as favourite at his last start in the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby at Bay Meadows, Mr Fulton decide to send his highly promising colt to John Shirreffs, the trainer of last years Grade 1 Kentucky Derby winner, Giacomo.
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A. P. Warrior wins the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita.
Picture by Benoit |
Jockey Corey Nakatani has a very high opinion of the son of A. P. Indy, stating that, "Although this was my first time on him, I had been on him in the morning, and he worked unbelievable for me. He showed me then that he was a better horse than what he had been doing in the afternoon. I've been trying to get on him a long time, ever since I realized that Patrick Valenzuela wasn't going to ride him back last fall. I gave the connections a phone call and tried to get on him at that point, but they went through their channels. I finally was able to get on him when John Shirreffs got him, and, like I said, he worked unbelievable for me. I wasn't surprised by anything he did this afternoon. When that other horse (Point Determined) came to me, he pinned his ears and dug in like I thought he would. And he is a very, very versatile horse. I don't think he has to be up there close where he was today. I was four or five behind, just tracking them, and he was doing it all on his own. I could not have been more pleased with the way he was traveling underneath me. He was relaxed. I really think the sky is the limit with this horse. I'm excited."
After the race, trainer John Shirreffs commented that he "was really impressed with A. P. Warrior today." Giving the horse all the credit and taking the spotlight away from himself. "He's a classy horse. He is a very, very classy horse. We just didn't want to interfere with him (when asked about race strategy), just let him run his race."
Asked if the Santa Anita Derby (Grade I, $750,000, 1 1/8 miles on April 8) would be next: "Oh, yeah. Absolutely. We're not looking to go on the road. We'll stay home."Asked if he had to do much with the horse since taking over as trainer from Eoin Harty: "Not really, no. The same as normal."
A win in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby would be a dream result for Mr Fleming and his Storm Cat (USA) x Warrior Queen (USA) filly that is set to go through the 2006 September Keeneland Sales. It appears that with a forward showing from A. P. Warrior in the coming weeks, that the US$3.8 million paid for the the Storm Cat (USA) filly at the 2005 September Keeneland Sale, could quiet easily be surpassed.
Saturday 19th Feb. (Hong Kong) - Dongguan To Victory
Backing up 3 days after his 3rd placing at Happy Valley, Dongguan Victory scored a gutsy win tonight at Sha Tin. Not even a drop is distance to 1400m could stop the gelded son of Macrosa (NZ) as he scored by a half a length over Be My Pride and Pleasure Pleasure.
Traveling in the leading pack after jumping from barrier 1, jockey Y. T. Cheng peeled out from behind the leaders heels at the 200m to make his run. Hitting the lead with 100m to go, Dongguan Victory held off the very fast finish of Be My Pride, who has traveled in second last place for the entire journey.
Macrosa (NZ), the dam of Dongguan Victory has recently been listed for Private Sale. She has a positive 45 day test to More Than Ready (USA) and has a Viscount colt at foot. For more information please click here.
Wednesday 15th Feb. (Hong Kong) - Victory Oh So Close
Octagonal gelding, Dongguan Victory, ran his usual honest race on Wednesday night at Happy Valley, Hong Kong to record a 3rd placing over the 1800m journey. From the Mcginty (NZ) mare, Macrosa (NZ), Dongguan Victory was sold through the 2001 Easter Yearling sales, with the final bid going to bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington. Having his 3rd run back this preparation, jockey Christophe Soumillion settled the favoured runner on the fence behind the leaders. Hitting the lead at the 300m mark, Dongguan Victory was unable to withstand the finishing runs of the first two over the line, battling away to finish 3rd.
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Dongguan Victory under lights in Hong Kong |
At the recent 06 Magic Millions Sales, a More Than Ready colt from Macrosa (NZ) was sold to Lyle Plumb Racing for $65,000. Currently with a Viscount foal at foot, and 45 day positive test to More Than Ready, Macrosa has had 3 foals to race for a 100% win record.
Friday 4th Feb. (Singapore) - Lim Puts Up A Fight
After a gutsy effort to finish 4th in the recent Listed Singapore Guineas, Lim’s Fighter scored an impressive win over the 1400m journey at Kranji on Friday night. Jumping from barrier 2 the Flying Spur gelding sat midfield for most of the race before unleashing a powerful sprint which saw him gather in the leader rounding the home turn, setting himself up for a comfortable victory. Scoring by 1 1/2 lengths, the 1400m journey seemed ideal for the consistent son of Sky Watch, herself a Group 2 winning daughter of Group 1 Golden Slipper winning sire, Star Watch. Trained by Australian John Meagher and ridden by KB Soo, Lim’s Fighter has now had 6 starts for 2 wins and 2 placings.
Three-quarter brother, Sky Fury (Danehill) scored an impressive win at a Canterbury Park a little over a week ago, to give their dam, Sky Watch an Australasian double. These recent pedigree highlights indicate that astute Bloodstock agent; Demi O’Byrne may have got himself a bargain purchase when he outlaid $90,000 for the three-quarter brother by Danehill Dancer (IRE) to both Lim’s Fighter and Sky Fury, at the recently finished Magic Millions sales on the Gold Coast. Sky Watch currently has a cracking Dehere (USA) colt at foot, and has a 45 day positive test to Royal Academy’s (USA) Group 1 winning son in Bel Esprit.
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