Haleconia Breaks Through 26 August 2004
Beautifully bred three year old filly HALECONIA (2003 Easter $280,000) broke the ice at Hawkesbury for local trainer Garry Frazer, proving too strong for her older rivals over the 1400 metre journey.
The Danehill (USA) filly overcame a wide barrier to win in good style and will no doubt be further improved by the experience.
Purchased for just $280,000 at the 2003 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on behalf of my client Richard Johnston, Haleconia was sensational value at that price when you consider the potential of her pedigree to improve even further.
She is the second foal of Group One winning sprinter Cannsea, who is still only nine and will be producing top quality foals for many years to come.
Her first foal Pilot Bay (by Zabeel) is now a winner, having scored impressively in New Zealand before being sold to race in Singapore where he will likely make his presence felt in the better class of staying races.
Cannsea currently has a yearling filly by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) and is due to foal this spring to blue-blooded stallion Viking Ruler, a Group One winning son of Danehill (USA) and blue chip producer Tristalove (NZ).
Whatever the future holds for Haleconia on the racetrack, her residual value is assured.
Eagle Stakes Win Adds Value 20 August 2004
It wasn’t just the connections of promising three year old RUTHERFORD EAGLE that were thrilled with his dazzling seven length victory in the Gosford 3YO Classic L. Having purchased his half-sister by Anabaa (USA) for $220,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year, we were also delighted by his first Black Type success.
The filly in question was my most expensive purchase from Easter this year and it’s a great bonus to gain an important value adding pedigree update such as this, before she has even set foot on the track.
The filly was bought on behalf of my good client George Altomonte, who has named her Vestabaa, a neat mix between her sire Anabaa (USA) and dam Vestey, a Group Three winning daughter of Last Tycoon (IRE).
Vestabaa has broken in well and done all that is required of her to date, however Altomonte is of the opinion that the Anabaa (USA) stock are generally not cut out to be two year olds, so she will be given the time to find her feet before embarking on a serious preparation.
Alice Minter looks into the Breeding and Racing Industry in New Caledonia 19 August 2004
After recently selling a 5YO Stallion, Magical Bid (Danehill – Hooked Bid) to some clients in New Caledonia it was decided that we at Vin Cox Bloodstock should learn a little more about the industry that we just sold into.
New Caledonia is a small island which boasts 4 racetracks, fortnightly racing and a huge enthusiasm for the thoroughbred. Racing for 6 months of the year, New Caledonia has a fledgling industry that is mainly supported by the passionate people that contribute to its very operation.
There is no TAB or bookies so all betting is run privately. After asking numerous punters how it worked I am yet to get an answer that makes sense – I put my money on the winner but then found out that the horse who came third paid more money?? As the betting ring is run privately I can only assume that the horse that came third was favourite in the ring and therefore paid more money. I asked a few locals but even they could only hazard a guess.
The New Caledonian breeding industry is growing with stock coming from New Zealand, France and Australia. There is also a very strong desire to breed towards locally performed horses. The local horses were a real surprise being very strong, short coupled and iron legged. These horses need to be able to run tight tracks with long straights. They also need to suit the distinct style of racing which were sprint/miler races where the horse is required to jump, get to the front don’t change pace just go faster until you reach the finish. These horses ability to literally sprint 1400m – 1600m was amazing.
Trainers are owners; jockeys are owners; trainers are jockeys, reverse it all around and you get the picture. Everyone does what they can. Monetary returns are not big in this industry but there is a strong desire to change this. The Coup Clark (the Clarke Cup) is the highest paying race, approximately $18,000. The next big race is the Noumea Cup which is approximately $12,000. With the improvement in the New Caledonian economy, namely from overseas lucrative primary industry deals. There is a real possibility that the New Caledonian Breeding and Racing industry will improve. One person remarked that New Caledonia is similar to how Macau was when it started. Whether or not this is true is up for individual debate. However, this improvement is already evident around Noumea with an increase in infrastructure and new housing.All in all, it was a great experience. Everyone was extremely hospitable even allowing me to present the trophy to the winning connections of Race 4, Gentlemen Rider Prix des Bois du Pacifique. The horse who won was called Sir Magic, by Tristram Lane. An Australian bred Stallion, imported to New Caledonia. Tristram Lane is the No. 1 Stallion in New Caledonia and whilst in Australia was owned by the Arrowfield Group Stud Syndicate (John Messara, Philip Esplin, Sir Clyde Kennedy) and trained by John Morish, who I used to work for. It is a very small world indeed!
Alice Minter and John-Claude Colomina, winner of the Trophee Ville De Noumea 1800m, Owner of Commander Belle (NZ) 6YO Mare (The Commander (NZ) - Miss Augusta (NZ)
Charge Forward’s Dam a smart buy for Vin Cox Bloodstock
19 August 2004
All who watched the San Domenico Stakes at Randwick were undoubtedly impressed with the stellar performance by talented colt Charge Forward over Golden Slipper nemesis, Dance Hero and other talented juvenile, Fastnet Rock. This is fantastic news for Charge Forward’s Dam, Sydney’s Dream, who was purchased by us whilst Charge Forward was still a weanling. This super fast Bletchingly mare was a Group One winner in South Africa and was owned by astute breeder Philip Esplin before I approached him on the possibility of purchasing the mare.Sydney’s Dream is from a Valid Appeal mare (Dream Appeal) by Bletchingly. Included in her family are the likes of Listed Winner, Settler’s Cove and her multiple Group Two winning son Kidman’s Cove, Group Three winner Marskin and her listed winning Daughter, Donna Natalia.
When Philip agreed to sell, I approached prominent breeder Dean Fleming who agreed to buy this Champion Turf mare. A first-rate buy considering the mare is now estimated to be worth almost triple what she was bought for.
With the success of leading second crop sire Red Ransom and the well-matched cross of Valid Appeal / Bletchingly (producing Charge Forward and Perfect Sting; Champion Grass mare in U.S and G1 winner of Breeder’s Fillies and Mares Turf); there was no hesitation on Dean’s behalf in putting Sydney’s Dream back to Red Ransom this year. Let’s hope Sydney’s Dream offspring continue to WOW crowds as Charge Forward managed to do in the Domenico Stakes on Saturday 7th August.
Stakes Win a Bonus for Highland Legend 13 August 2004
A long overdue stakes win by quality four year old mare Personal Legend comes as a pleasing update for her dam Highland Legend (USA), which we purchased at the 2000 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale for $US115,000 on behalf of astute breeder John Rippon of Reavill Farm.
Personal Legend has been a source of much frustration, her obvious talent highlighted by placings in Group One and Two company, but the lack of a stakes victory keeping her name in lower case Black Type until now.
The Bobby Frankel trained mare finished powerfully to win the De La Rose Stakes over one mile on turf at Saratoga and is likely to tackle a Group Three assignment at the same track at the end of the month.
Her overall record stands at four wins and six minor placings from 14 starts with prizemoney of nearly $US300,000.
Highland Legend (USA) certainly produced the goods for Reavill Farm with her first Australian bred foal, a cracking filly by Redoute’s Choice, which fetched $300,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year.
I had the pleasure of seeing her second foal just last week, an extremely nice colt by Anabaa (USA), which will also be heading towards Easter.
