DARLEY’S PURCHASE OF WOODLANDS APPROVED
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 13 May 2008 - Darley and Inghams Enterprises announced today that the Foreign Investment ReviewBoard has approved Darley’s purchase of Woodlands.
Consequently the sale will be completed by 16 May 2008.
Horses previously running in the cerise colours of the Woodlands Stud Syndicate will from that time on race in Sheikh Mohammed’s ownership and racing colours, which are maroon and white.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said “I am delighted to be making this commitment to Australian racing, to people who share my passion for thoroughbreds. I welcome the team from Woodlands and look forward to developing the champions of the future.”
The outgoing owner of Woodlands, Bob Ingham said “It has been a pleasure working with the dedicated people at Woodlands Stud and Crown Lodge. I thank them dearly for the wonderful job they have done over many years. I wish Sheikh Mohammed every success in the future.”
Media contact: Trent Mumford +61 412-115-400
ABOUT DARLEY IN AUSTRALIA
Darley is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's global thoroughbred breeding operation.
Darley currently operates thoroughbred stud farms in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Japan and Australia. Darley’s Australian farms are located at Aberdeen in New South Wales and Seymour in Victoria.
Darley currently employs around 100 people in Australia and was established here in 2001.
Please see www.darley.com.au for more information.
ABOUT INGHAMS’ BLOODSTOCK OPERATIONS
Woodlands Stud is based at Denman in the Hunter Valley and was purchased by Darley in May 2008 from Inghams Enterprises. Woodlands operations span the property at Denman along with another stud farm at Cootamundra. In addition there are training stables at Warwick Farm in Sydney and Flemington in Melbourne, as well as two pre-training centres on the outskirts of Sydney.
There are currently approximately 230 people employed by Woodlands, all of whom will now work for Sheikh Mohammed and Darley.
Additional comments attributable to John Ferguson, Bloodstock Advisor to Sheikh Mohammed:
- “When we entered into the deal we knew we were buying some wonderful properties and some fantastic bloodstock. What has become clear to us in the last few weeks is that the greatest asset that Woodlands has is its people.”
Additional comments attributable to Oliver Tait, General Manager – Darley Australia:
- “Woodlands Stud has been the leading owner breeder in Australia for many years. They set up over 25 years ago and we are very excited to be able to complement Darley’s operations with the wonderful people, history and horses of Woodlands.
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DARLEY PURCHASES INGHAMS’ BLOODSTOCK OPERATIONS
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 25th March 2008 – Darley Australia has signed an agreement to purchase the Bloodstock operations of Inghams Enterprises.
The purchase agreement is subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board.
“The sale of the bloodstock business was not something I was contemplating,” Bob Ingham said today. “Once approached by Darley, I decided it was an opportunity that I should accept.
“The sale is on a ‘walk-in, walk-out’ basis. I will however be keeping our racing colours and will continue to race horses.
“Not only is it in the long-term interest of the company, it also secures the continuation of the bloodstock business and the employment of the team. Further it takes the business under Darley, a global breeding and racing operation, into a new and exciting phase. It’s a win-win for all parties,” Mr Ingham said.
Announcing the purchase, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Darley's Principal said: "I have long admired the love Australians have for the horse and for racing. The Ingham family have made a significant contribution to Australian racing and to the thoroughbred and I am looking forward to building on their success. I am delighted to be making this commitment".
ABOUT DARLEY IN AUSTRALIA
Darley is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's global thoroughbred breeding operation.
Darley currently operates thoroughbred stud farms in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States of America, Japan and Australia. Darley’s Australian farms are located at Aberdeen in New South Wales and Seymour in Victoria.
Darley currently employs around 100 people in Australia and was established here in 2001.
ABOUT INGHAMS’ BLOODSTOCK OPERATIONS
Bob Ingham and his late brother Jack have been involved in racing for over 40 years.
In 1985 Woodlands Stud at Denman in the Hunter Valley was purchased by Inghams Enterprises. Inghams Bloodstock operations now span the property at Denman along with another stud farm at Cootamundra. In addition there are training stables at Warwick Farm in Sydney and Flemington in Melbourne, as well as two pre-training centres on the outskirts of Sydney.
There are currently approximately 230 people employed in Inghams’ Bloodstock operations, all of whom will be guaranteed continuity of employment by Darley.
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MARCHING WAS FANTASTIC IN GUINEAS
COMMANDS three-year-old Marching went as close any horse yet to beating racing's acclaimed superstar Light Fantastic in a close fought Cadbury Australian Guineas - G1 last Saturday.
Marching was held up at a vital stage until the race was as good as over with a neck all that separated the pair on the line.
``It was a great effort but both horses, even (winning trainer) Mick Price noted Marching's troubles in the post-race interviews,'' Woodlands Rick Connolly said.
``Most people said before the race that this would be a very high-rating Guineas and I think that will be the case when we get into the Spring.''
Marching has now placed in three Group One races - the Caulfield Guineas behind Weekend Hussler, the VRC Derby and now the Cadbury Guineas.
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LONHRO IN THE BLACK WITH FIRST STAKESWINNER
UNBEATEN Lonhro filly Black Minx remains a $9 chance to take out the 2008 Magic Millions 2YO Classicdespite her awesome win at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Mark Webb-trained charged past her rivalsin the stretch to cruise to a two-length victory in the C.E. McDougall Stakes - Listed.
"That was a very dominant win," commented Woodlands Rick Connoly.
"She ran a race record covering the 1000m in 57.8 and really had them spread out at the finish.
"interestingly at her first two wins she sat handy and just pulled away but this time she got a fair way back from a wide barrier," he said.
"I thinkl that it was the perfect Magic Millions trial because it showed that she has another way to win races if she draws akwardly or finds herself back in the pack."
Black Minx is out of the Danehill mare Faith Hill whose wins included the Emancipation Stakes - G2.
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Woodlands Sires Happy at Valley
Tara Madgwick - Thursday, March 06, 2008
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Woodlands Stud based sires Commands, Strategic and Quest for Fame (GB) featured with a winner each at the Happy Valley meeting in Hong Kong on Wednesday evening.
Commands got the ball rolling when his six year-old son Racing Spirit took the Class Four event over 1000 metres by a head in a thrilling finish.
A perennial bridesmaid with 11 placings to his credit, it was only the second win in Hong Kong for the Francis Lui trained gelding, who was a winner on debut in Brisbane as a two year-old for Les Kelly when racing under the name of Sink the Bismark.
Passed in at the 2003 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Racing Spirit is from the Success Express (USA) mare Dashed (who passed away in 2002), a half-sister to Group One winner Half Hennessy.
Strategic followed up quickly with the winner of the Class Three event over 1200 metres in Encore Win (pictured left) , a former member of the Woodlands Stud team who won in Sydney and Melbourne under the name of Nod.
Now with the Derek Cruz stable, Encore Win is a half-brother to stakes-placed Hassle from former smart Canny Lad mare Greeting, winner of the Listed VRC The Vanity.
Quest for Fame (GB) chimed in to make it a hat-trick in the Class Four event over 1200 metres when his flashy son Rich Dragon broke through to win his first race after finishing in the money at his last four starts.
Australian readers thinking this horse (pictured right) looks familiar would be right as he was a more than handy two year-old for Woodlands Stud when racing under the name of The Rhine.
A stakes-winner as a spring two year-old in 2004, The Rhine also ran second to Perfectly Ready in the Group Three MRC Blue Diamond Prelude and was later sold privately to Hong Kong.
Like so many smart Quest for Fame (GB) horses, The Rhine is from a Danehill (USA) mare in Lorelei, a half-sister to stakes-winners Syrinx, Whistle Up and Noise.
Top Success For Woodlands Cast Off
Courtesy of Breednet Tara Madgwick - Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Australian bred four year-old gelding Top Spin has been racing in great heart in Singapore over the last month, racking up stakes wins at his last two starts for leading trainer Laurie Laxon.
A son of Lomar Park's Victoria Derby winner Arena from the Strategic mare Gas, Top Spin was bred by Woodlands Stud and originally given the name of Methane then sent into work with John Hawkes.
The unraced Methane was later on-sold privately and after being renamed Top Spin made his debut in Singapore on March 2, 2007 and duly saluted over 1100 metres.
Since then Top Spin has not missed a place in winning 10 races and placing six times from 16 starts, his last two victories in the Three Rings Trophy Sng Gr 3 (1400m) and Singapore Four Year Old Mile Sng Gr 2 (1600m).
His recent top form has prompted trainer Laurie Laxon to consider some of the better races later in the year.
“I’d like to aim him for the QEII Cup and the SIA Cup, but the series of races like the Patrons’ Bowl, the Derby Trial and the Derby appeal to me as well,” said Laxon.
“Even if they are sprinters, against their own age they can get away with winning over a staying trip.”
Top Spin is the first foal of a half-sister to Group One VRC Oaks winner Tributes in Gas, a mare that was sold by Woodlands as part of a reduction in 2006 fetching $20,000 at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale when in foal to Canny Lad.
Now in the ownership of Queensland based breeder Basil Nolan, Gas produced a filly last spring by Snippetson and was covered by Blue Diamond winner Nadeem.
Incidentally, it’s not the first time Mr Nolan has reaped the rewards from a Woodlands cast off having also secured the Star Watch mare Conquered for $15,000 at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in 2002.
Conquered emerged as the dam of Listed winner War of the Worlds, who was later sold to Hong Kong where he is also a stakes-winner under the name of Royal Delight.
Back to Top Spin though, he’s an interesting stakes-winner as he represents a cross that has met with some notable success of late, that being a blend of Danehill (USA) and Zeditave.
By a son of Danehill (USA) in Arena from a daughter of the Zeditave sire Strategic, Top Spin is bred in similar fashion to last weeks stakes-winner La Famelia, by Strategic from a Danehill (USA) mare, also brilliant Gwenda Markwell trained sprinter Al Be Nimble, by the Zeditave horse Magic Albert from a Danehill mare and of course the ill-fated champion two year-old Meurice, by Strategic from a Danehill mare.
Strategic and Magic Albert were the only advertised sons of Zeditave standing in New South Wales last year, while the horse himself at age 22 was wheeled out of semi-retirement at Newhaven Park in the wake of EI to cover 43 mares including some of the Kelly family’s better matrons.
For broodmare owners with Danehill (USA) line mares seeking affordable options it’s a nick that may offer some potential and in Strategic and Magic Albert you have two great candidates that are proven sources of winners.
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Records at Tasmanian MM
Magic Millions - Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Records tumbled across all sectors at today's Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale at the Inveresk Showgrounds at Launceston.
A filly by Canny Lad topped the day's proceedings when she was knocked down for a sale record price of $85,000.
Leading Victorian trainer Terry Kelly, one of many busy interstaters at today's auction, secured the much admired filly, one of the stars of the Grenville Stud draft.
Catalogued as lot number 152, the bay filly is from the stakes performed and dual winning Danehill mare Velvet Cloud.
Velvet Cloud is a sister to Astig and half sister to William Crockett Stakes winner Jolanda.
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Over The Wicket Bowls Them Over
Courtesy of William Inglis & Son Ltd
Gary Portelli has enjoyed great success with yearlings purchased at the Classic Yearling Sale and he has another smart juvenile in the shape of OVER THE WICKET ($85,000 2007 Classic Sale, 2 g Over – Gold Circuit), winner of Saturday's Creative Living Expo Handicap at Rosehill Gardens.
Despite being forced to race three wide all the way, Over The Wicket ran on strongly in the straight under top-weight of 58kg to register his first win from three starts. “I would love to see him in a big field and a truly run race and give him his chance in something a bit stronger,” Portelli said afterwards. “Hopefully we will have his colours up on the winning post over there in a few months time,” he added referring to the Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on April 19th.
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Black Minx Goes Two for Two
Tara Madgwick - Monday, February 04, 2008
Courtesy of Breednet.com.au
The open juvenile event at Doomben on Saturday was won in commanding fashion by unbeaten Lonhro filly Black Minx, a $260,000 Magic Millions purchase from the draft of Willow Park Stud.
The Mark Webb trained filly camped just off the leader and then kicked away to win by the best part of two lengths, maintaining her perfect record and taking her earnings to $85,000.
Raced by the Triton Bloodstock Syndicate, Black Minx is aiming towards the $1.5 million Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic at the Gold Coast on March 24, with a likely final lead up in the Listed McDougall Stakes at Eagle Farm on March 1.
"She's a very good filly and she only does what she has to in her races,” said Mark Webb.
"I've got no doubt she'll improve another couple of lengths on this run. I'm probably biased but I think she's the best two-year-old in Queensland."
Black Minx has the distinction of being the first winner sired by champion racehorse Lonhro and may well be his first Golden Slipper runner with her trainer indicating a Slipper start would certainly be on the agenda if she comes through her Millions campaign as expected.
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RIP Meurice
As news came to light this morning that a track incident had taken the life of Strategic’s greatest son MEURICE, Woodlands has been truly saddened by the loss and deepest sympathy and condolences to connections Darley Stud, Jonathan Munz and trainer Gai Waterhouse.
Last year’s champion two year-old MEURICE, is reported to have fractured a shoulder at Randwick this morning and has had to be euthanased due to the severity of the injury..
Meurice was named champion juvenile last season after winning the Gr 1 Champagne Stakes and being placed in both the Gr 1 Golden Slipper and Gr 1 AJC Sires Produce Stakes.
He was purchased by Darley stud for $12 million following his two year-old campaign but has not been seen on the racetrack since, having missed the spring carnival due to equine influenza.
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Boss Strategically close to 1st Group 1
Glen Boss was teased with the prospect of his first Hong Kong Group One on Horace's Choice (by Strategic), and thought he was on the winner when he went by Helene Mascot at the 200 metres.
"He gave he a great ride and he ran very well, but the other horse was just a bit too strong on the day," said Boss.
Horace’s Choice formerly raced as Arrested in Australia for the Woodlands Stud Syndicate. He is by Strategic who is having an extraordinary resurgence in recent times on the back of Group 1 winners Meurice and Strategic News (SAF) along with Melbourne Spring stakes winner Miss Judgement.
The geldings’ dam is former Queensland Oaks winner Booked.
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LONHRO'S FIRST WINNER
HORSE of the Year Lonhro sired his first winner on Saturday when Queensland filly Black Minx scored on debut at Doomben.
The Mark Webb-trained two-year-old positioned herself in the box-seat before issuing the challenge to the odds-on favourite in the straight.
The pair quickly drew away from the others as the Toowoomba filly quickly gained the ascendancy edging clear to record a memorable win.
Connections of Black Minx are now aiming her towards the $1,500,000 Magic Millions.
``I reckon that she can be very competitive in the Millions (in March next year),'' Webb said.
``There is a lot of improvement in her.''
Black Minx is out of the Danehill mare, Faith Hill, and cost $260,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Lonhro's first runner earned black-type when Woodlands filly Segolone placed in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield on MRC 1000 Guineas day.
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ENCOSTA GIVES SNOWDEN FIRST WINNER
Tara Madgwick - Thursday, November 29, 2007
Courtesy of Breednet.com.au
A new page was turned for Woodlands Stud at Bendigo on Thursday when former stable foreman and now head trainer Peter Snowden produced his first winner Portimao, a dashing bay gelding by Encosta de Lago.
Having his second race start and first run back from a spell, Portimao was easy in the market but found the line strongly to win the 1400 metre maiden by a length and a quarter
“I’m good now, I’m floating, it’s fantastic to get the first one up,” Snowden said.
“We’ve always been very successful stable and we like thing to keep rolling along so it’s very satisfying for my own peace of mind and it’s a good buzz for the staff down there and all of Crown Lodge and Woodlands.”
Portimao was bred by Woodlands Stud and is the first foal of the metropolitan winning Zabeel mare Lady Viola (NZ), who was purchased by Woodlands for $380,000 at the 2004 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale when in foal to Encosta de Lago.
A half-brother to Group Three winning stayer Estimable, who was also trained out of Crown Lodge, and Sinjani, the dam of Group Two winner Fooram, Lady Viola claims outstanding producer Taiona as her second dam.
A celebrated daughter of renowned broodmare sire Sovereign Edition (IRE), Taiona produced nine winners, four of them stakes-winners including the Group One winners Sovereign Red, Gurners Lane and Trichelle.
Sadly for Woodlands, Lady Viola died in 2005 leaving just one other foal, a two year-old Commands filly that has been named Purple.
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FIRST HONG KONG WINNER FOR VISCOUNT
Woodlands Stud based Viscount had his first Hong Kong winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday when the Class Four event over 1650 metres was won by four year-old gelding Clovis, a $150,000 purchase from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2005 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Fourth at his most recent outing, the Alex Wong trained Clovis was ridden a beautiful race by local jockey Howard Cheng, who posted a milestone 200th winner aboard the son of Viscount.
Bred by Ms Nickie Cramsie, a key member of the Woodlands Stud team at Denman, Clovis is the third foal of the stakes-winning St Covet mare All Classic, whose dam Rory’s Classic was also a Listed winner.
All Classic passed away in 2006 and her last foal is a yearling full sister to Clovis by Viscount.
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NEW STAKES-WINNER FOR VISCOUNT
CHAMPION 2 & 3YO Viscount was responsible for a two-State double on Cup day highlighted by the new stakes-winner - Impressing Matters who won Ascot's Listed Burgess Queen Stakes.
Despite drawing the outside barrier, Impressing Matters used her natural pace to sit second before charging away in the straight to win by a comfortable margin.
The filly was bred by Heytesbury Stud and sold for $56,000 at the Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale in 2006.
Meanwhile at Kembla, exciting Viscount mare Miss Pageantry made short work of her rivals to maintain her perfect first-up record.
Miss Pageantry was stakes-placed during her previous campaign and appears destined to give trainer Gwenda Markwell a stakes win when racing resumes proper in Sydney.
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GROUP ONE BECKONS FOR WOODLANDS DUO
QUEST FOR FAME son Sonic Quest is now only one win away from Group One glory after demolishing his rivals in the G3 Waterford Crystal Mile on Cox Plate day.
The Lee Freedman-trained gelding was untroubled to score his sixth win from ten career starts firmly establishing himself as the horse to beat in the Emirates Handicap (1600m) - G1 on November 10.
EARLIER in the day, Commands son Marching staked his claim to the VRC Victoria Derby with an authoritative win in the AAMI Vase - G2.
``Marching's win was outstanding and only 0.3 seconds slower than El Segundo's time in the Cox Plate,'' noted Rick Connolly.
``This horse has been so consistent from the time he won his debut. He put the writing on the wall after his Guineas placing behind Weekend Hussler that he'd stay at least 2000 metres. There is no reason why he won't 2500m now against horses that he was clearly superior to on Saturday.''
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BRING IT ON
METROPOLITAN racing can't return quick enough for Canberra trainer Nick Olive, trainer of the extremely promising Commands gelding Voice Commander.
The three-year-old gelding led from the outset to score a stunning 5.5 length win at his debut running the 1000m in a slick 57.74 seconds.
Voice Commander reappeared at the venue on Saturday forging away to win by 2.8 lengths.
``The horse looks to have a very bright future,'' says Rick Connolly.
``He was a class above them at his first start and even though he drew wide, was up in class and raced outside the field, he was pouring it over the last part of the race and hit the line powerfully.''
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COMMANDS SON SETS NEW COURSE RECORD AT SHA TIN
FORMER Australian galloper War of the Worlds who races in Hong Kong as Royal Delight established a new track record time at Sha Tin last night winning the G3 Premier Bowl over 1200m.
The son of Commands sat outside the leader for the majority of the race before taking over at the 200 metres racing on to win by a length in a time of 1.07.6 seconds.
Royal Delight's time lowers the mark set by another Aussie-export (Genius And Evil - Absolute Champion (HK) who posted his record when thrashing Silent Witness in last years Hong Kong Sprint.
Royal Delight is now likely to be aimed at the G1 International Sprint at Sha Tin in December - a race which has been won by Australian-bred horses every year since it's inception.
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LONHRO'S ON THE BOARD
HORSE of the Year Lonhro has opened his career as a sire on a high after his daughter Segolene finished third in the Debutants Stakes at Caulfield on Wednesday.
The filly who is out of the Grand Lodge mare Dorky, showed considerable speed and was in front until challenged late by the Lee Freedman filly Sugar Babe and runner-up, Pachanga trained by David Hayes.
``I know David has a good opinion of his filly so I think the form put of the race ill prove pretty strong,'' Freedman said.
It' an opinion shared by Wodlands Rick Connolly, while noting that there were plenty more Lonhro's waiting in the wings.
``It was a grand effort to stakes-place on debut in a race that was won last year by Meurice - the Champion 2YO and in the past by Alinghi,'' he said.
``Taking nothing away from the filly but I know from what I hear and have seen that there are Lonhro's that go better than Segolone.''
YUMMY MUMMY
LONHRO and Niello's youngster sister O'Giselle has returned a positive test to Commands.
Rick Connolly confirmed that the mare had returned a 45-day positive at Woodlands on Thursday.
``It's obviously fantastic news and we are all very excited about this mare's future. The only other daughters out of Shadea that are breeding have thrown Diamond Deck - a filly that I am sure will win a Group One and the mare Sibylline who threw Gergis for us,'' Connolly said.
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TRIPLE TREAT
DANEHILL son Commands sired his third consecutive Caulfield Guineas placegetter last weekend after the John Hawkes-trained Marching charged through the field to take third.
Last year it was the Sydney speedster Court Command who just failed to add the Group One Guineas to his STC Golden Rose win - but lost nothing in defeat.
The succession began when Command's first-crop son, millionaire galloper Paratroopers, played his part in an epic classic claimed in the very last stride by God's Own.
``It's a bit ironic when you think that Commands placed in the Caulfield Guineas when he was racing,'' noted Rick Connolly.
``The race that year was probably one of the strongest, certainly most memorable, because of the duel between Redoute's Choice and Testa Rossa.
``Redoute's win was nearly as good as Lonhro....nearly,'' Connolly quipped.
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New Octagonal stakes winner a 3/4 sister to Lonhro
Courtesy of Brian Russel News
DIAMOND DECK, a 3-year-old filly who is a three-quarter sister to an Australian Horse of the Year, Lonhro, and like him by another who collected this honour, Octagonal, has a lot to live up to in breeding, but appears to be going the right way about it.
Although she was appearing for only the fifth time and recording her first win when successful by 1 1/4 lengths in the Group 3 Highview Stakes at Hastings, New Zealand on Saturday, Diamond Deck had shown a lot promise with three stakes cheques at two from four starts, including a long head second after being ninth on the turn in the Group 2 QTC Sires' Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm and a strong finishing less than a length third in Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doomben.
She gets her close relationship to the 'Black Flash", Lonhro, as both are by the Inghams of Woodlands Stud, Hunter Valley raced Zabeel product Octagonal, a winner of 10 Group1 races and earner of $5,892,231, and her mother, Miss Trump, is a half-sister by Last Tycoon to Lonhro.
The big difference between these two half relations is that Miss Trump was unraced, whereas Lonhro, now a sire poised to have his first juveniles - nearly 100 potential runners - race in the current racing year standing with Octagonal at the Woodlands Stud, ranks among Australia's greatest gallopers. He won 26 of 35 outings, including 11 Group1s, earned $5,790,510 and besides his Australian Horse of the Year title was assessed World Champion Middle Distance Horse of 2004.
Lonhro was the sixth foal of Shadea, a winner of the STC Sweet Embrace Stakes and runner up in the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes by the Mr. Prospector sire Straight Strike, and the first bred by Woodlands.The earlier foals included Miss Trump and three by Danehill in Noblesse (won Gosford, Mildura Naracoorte), Sedaka (unplaced in three starts) and an unnamed colt.
Sedaka went to stud at Ken Delforce's Kendel Park Stud at Willow Tree on the northern perimeter of the Hunter Valley and has supplied some handy performers from limited opportunity. Now in Tasmania, he has included among his offspring Perth Group 2 winner Daka's Gem (13 wins) and others successful in Sydney and Adelaide.
Delforce put a Sedaka Newcastle winner, Winged Sedaka, that he bred and raced to Octagonal and has a near black 2-year-old filly which resembles Lonhro. As he is a half-brother to Sedaka, Lonhro is genetically a three-quarter brother to the filly.
His dam has produced two top horses by Octagonal for Woodlands, the other being Lonhro's two years younger brother Niello, a winner of three Group1 races in Sydney, the Spring Champion Stakes, Rosehill and Canterbury Guineas, and a fleetfooted juvenile whose four appearances included a win in the AJC Kindergarten Stakes (1100m), a third to Exceed and Excel in the STC Todman Slipper Trial and a handy mid field effort when second favourite in the Golden Slipper.
Due to have first crop yearlings at 2008 sales, Niello stands at Greg Willis's Chatswood Stud at Avenel in Victoria and had over 100 mares in each of his first two seasons.
The biggest percentage of the Octagonal progeny are eye-catching black looking, strongly made types.They are qualities Lonhro is also transmitting and which the Octagonal mares are likely to also pass on.
When Diamond Deck broke through for a win on Saturday, she became the 350th winner to Octagonal's credit . They have won 800 races, earned over $28million and in addition to Lonhro, Niello and Diamond Deck, his 42 progeny which have won or stakes placed have included three other Group 1 performers in Suntagonal (successful at this level in South Africa), Laverock (Group1 wins France and Italy), Hosannah (three Group 2 wins Sydney and Group1 second and third) and Boreale (won Group 2 AJC Villiers Stakes and third Group 1 AJC Doncaster Handicap). Laverock was got from a visit by Octagonal to France for northern hemisphere use.
Octagonal's statistics for the last three completed Australian racing years have been 91 winners,165 wins, $2,930,152 in 2004-05, 78 winners, 125 wins, $2,652,302 in 2005-06 and 77 winners, 108 wins, $2,136,892 in 2006-07.
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A song of hope for Octagonal sire dynasty
Courtesy of Brian Russel News
An interesting result at Eagle Farm on Saturday was the eye catching 3 1/4 lengths victory of Song of Hope in a 1200m event. Appearing for only the second time and following on a half head debut second after a slow start at the Sunshine Coast as equal favourite on August 19, this Desleigh Forster trained 3-year-old filly is from the second crop of Anglia, a son of the Zabeel Australian Horse of the Year Octagonal, himself the sire of the third placegetter in Saturday's event, Brotag.
Anglia is the powerfully bred young sire at the Basil Nolan family's long established Raheen Stud at Gladfield near Warwick, Qld, who has suffered from lack of quality mares and in consequence exposure in major stables because he was unraced, but who is rising up from this to suggest he can get good winners.
He has already had winners in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth with one of the best of them being Sam's Express, a smart 2year-old of 2006-07 who wound up the year with three successive stakes cheques. They were a win in the Doomben Slipper, a third at the same venue in the Golden Stakes-LR and fourth at the Gold Coast in the Ken Russell Stakes. He caught the eye earlier in the year with a win by 5.3 lengths at Toowoomba.
Two other metropolitan winners by Anglia are Burnzy (two wins and three places Perth) and Davcon (five outings at two last racing year included a win at Moonee Valley).
Other runners have included Cecilaloysius (wins at the Gold Coast -1.8 lengths and Ipswich), Real World (a winner and a placegetter Sunshine Coast) and Ryjatah (winner and placed Ipswich; fourth at the historic meeting at Brisbane's Deagon on Friday).
A magnificent looking near black horse a lot like the Octagonal Horse of the Year Lonhro, and also their sire, the source of these winners, Anglia, had the breeding to have been an outstanding racehorse if he had got to the races. Bred by one of Australia's leading breeders, Jim Fleming of Tyreel Stud, Hawkesbury Valley, he is a three-quarter brother to Dr Grace, a great Sir Tristram galloper whose 12 wins included four Group1 events, the AJC Derby, Chipping Norton Stakes, STC BMW International Stakes and MRC Underwood Stakes.
Used at the Ingham's Woodlands Stud, the home in the Hunter Valley for Octagonal and Lonhro, Dr Grace was a big loss as a sire when he died after only three seasons for he still contributed 117 winners (79.6% of his runners), including 11 successful in stakes races. Three have been Group1 winners and million dollar earners.
Anglia, Dr Grace and also the Danehill South Australian Oaks winner Asia are all from English Wonder, a leading classic performer of 1982-83. A daughter of French Derby placed Twig Moss, she beat the males in taking the South Australian Derby and finished second in South Australian Oaks.
Anglia's grandam Karroo was bred in England using Derby winner Blakeney and Desert Moss, a good class performer by distinguished sire Mossborough. He was a brother to All My Eye, grandam of Anglia's great grandsire Sir Tristram and from a three-quarter sister to a giant of world breeding Hyperion.
Offering a pedigree free of Northern Dancer and Star Kingdom in the four generations, Anglia got Saturday's brilliant Eagle Farm winner Song of Hope from Band Aids, a non winning Canny Lad mare owned by Basil
Basil Nolan. It is a pattern of breeding that could be replicated by putting daughters of another Raheen sire, the Canny Lad Queensland Derby and AJC Epsom Handicap winner Dodge, to Anglia.#
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AD VALOREM ARRIVAL
DUAL Group One winner Ad Valorem has arrived at Woodlands Stud and will begin serving immediately.
The son of Danzig was one of 43 stallions cleared to leave the Sydney quarantine facility this week where he had been in lock-down since arriving in August 8.
``We are relieved to finally have Ad Valorem here at the Stud amid the EI crisis,'' said Trevor Lobb.
``Although he never contracted the disease himself, it is reassuring to actually have him here safe and well, ready to serve.
``It's been a long wait for ourselves and our clients but in effect we are only about three weeks behind where we would have been without the EI outbreak."
``That time frame still allows for Ad Valorem and all of our stallions here to cover the vast majority of mares that were originally booked to visit.''
Lobb said that the elite sprinter/miler has a particularly strong book awaiting him at Woodlands in his debut year.
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OCTAGONAL FILLY DECKS RIVALS
IT was only a matter of time before Lonhro's three-quarter-sister Diamond Deck won a stakes race.
Hastings was the venue on Saturday for the Octagonal filly to lower the boom on hitherto unbeaten Special Mission streaking away to win by over a length in the G3 Highview Stakes.
Diamond Deck has raced exclusively in black-type races at all of her five career starts for a win and three placings.
She travelled to Australia for the Winter carnival where she twice placed in G2 races.
Diamond Deck is owned by Dick Karreman who won the feature Stony Bridge on Saturday with Seachange.
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Coolmore, Woodlands and Widden Support the Purple Zone
Tara Madgwick - Monday, September 17, 2007
Courtesy of Breednet.com.au
Despite being situated geographically on the southern fringe of the proposed ‘Purple Zone’, major stallion farms Coolmore, Woodlands and Widden will all be very much a part of the new arrangement if it gains government approval this week.
“We’ve had a number of calls from breeders unsure about where the purple zone starts and ends, with many thinking incorrectly that Muswellbrook is some kind of southern boundary,” said Trevor Lobb of Woodlands Stud.
“That is definitely not the case. Woodlands Stud has been right behind this initiative during the early planning stages from day one, as have Coolmore and Widden.
We wish to support the people that support us. It is so important for our clients to get their mares covered and this plan offers the best prospect of achieving that goal at this time.”
Widden Stud has a full compliment of 11 stallions, Woodlands have six of their roster based in the Hunter Valley and Coolmore are operational with eight.
Woodlands Stud Denman Open Day August 25 2007 - Click on image to enlarge
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FAVOURITE REIGNS SUPREME
THE beginning of the new racing season in Hong Kong on Sunday coincided with a slashing win by Quest For Fame three-year-old Favourite Supreme at Sha Tin.
The Australian-bred three-year-old who was last at the turn unleashed a devastating burst of acceleration to win by a widening 1.75 lengths.
Favourite Supreme is a maternal grandson of the epic Kiwi mare Tidal Light who won the New Zealand Derby and Cantebrury Guineas.
Favourite Supreme's dam Tidal Rhythm was stakes-placed in New Zealand and has so far left three winners including SW'er Feelers, also by Quest For Fame.
Tidal Light foaled a Quest For Fame colt in 2006 and recently gave birth to another colt by the Epsom Derby winner.
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SHIFT WORK
CONSISTENT gelding Thesis called on the wet-track influences in his pedigree to score a thrilling win at the in-house Eagle Farm meeting on Saturday.
Thesis is a son of the Doncaster Handicap winner Over out of a mare by former Woodlands shuttle sire, Night Shift.
Over's sire, Dr Grace (by Sir Tristram ex English Wonder by Twig Moss) won the 1990 AJC Derby under grey skies on a worsening track.
Thesis' dam-sire Night Shift, has shown an ability to inject some slow/heavy prowess where it otherwise wouldn't be, says Rick Connolly.
``I think you saw that in Sydney on Saturday as well with Falaise. He's a chestnut by Grand Lodge, not your most convincing wet-track sire, but the dam - Perle, is by Night Shift.''
Both Thesis' and Falaise's dam are at Woodlands and due to foal to Viscount and Lonhro respectively this month.
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CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE
DUAL Group One winner Undue (by Commands) is in line for a third group one sometime this Spring after another dazzling first-up performance at Caulfield on Saturday.
The son of Commands made light of his 59 kilograms powering past his rivals to win the Martha Cove Classic (Listed) over 1100m in the slick time of 1.03.68.
Undue's first major came in the Doomben 10,000 at weight-for-age.
He added this years' Oakleigh Plate despite drawing the outside alley and carrying topweight.
``He's a incredible horse,'' says Rick Connolly.
``He has won over $1 million, a couple of group one's and is so honest. The only time he finishes out of the first four, something has always gone wrong for him.''
Undue has won 13 of his 33 starts and placed nine times.
Commands season just continues to thrive with Undue being his third stakeswinner within the first month of the racing year!
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DARLEY'S STRATEGIC MOVE
THE sale of Australia's Champion 2YO Colt and Strategic son Meurice to global breeding giants Darley (for a reported $12million) is due recognition of a historically important sire-line in this country.
The Showdown-line, of which Strategic is a very typical physical example, is often credited as being the main stay of the Victorian breeding industry.
The acquisition of (grand-son) Zeditave by Newhaven Park in the 1990's however saw the expansion of the sire-line on a National scale.
``Zeditave and Strategic were fast maturing but exceptionally tough racehorses who returned at three to win G1's off testing two-year-old campaigns,'' says Rick Connolly.
``Those horses who can do that - and stand up - have been the most successful of the colonial sires for decades.''
Already the Yarraman Park sire Magic Albert is proving to be like his sire in being able to throw ``repeat-winners'' and horses that can train on from their juvenile careers.
``There's no substitute for speed, but to add longevity and versatility is a very desirable quality in a stallion. Strategic has it.''
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EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES
THERE is no truth that the $1 million Golden Rose will be re-named the Commands Stakes despite the fact next month's race could well be the third in succession for the Woodlands stallion.
Star three-year-old El Cambio seems more than able to emulate past winners Paratroopers (2005) and Court Command (2006) after his outstanding win in the G3 Run To the Rose on Saturday.
``That was a great effort because he had a few things go against him in the straight when the other horse came out on him repeatedly but he maintained his focus and was very professional,'' says Rick Connolly.
``He is a genuine racehorse. He's got everything that you want in a horse - tactical speed, he jumped fast with the blinkers on but Darren (Beadman) was able to coax him back and settle and then when he asked to him to accelerate, you could see that he was determined to get past the horse in front of him.
``A lot of Commands progeny race like that. They are smart horses who have a will to win.''
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CANNY LASSES
THE profile of Canny Lad mares is at an all time high at present after two of his daughters produced stakeswinner on Saturday.
El Cambio (see above) laid bare his claims to the $1 million Golden Rose on September 1 with a tremendous win in the Run To The Rose in Sydney.
Meanwhile at Caulfield, Shrewd Rhythm upset some big names when winning the Listed RSL Vain Stakes hours earlier.
The dual success comes in the wake of Sliding Cube's exciting return in the San Domenico at Randwick recently.
``Note that all of the trio are by Danzig line stallions,'' Connolly said.
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GOLD FOR LA SILVA
OCTAGONAL daughter La Silva looks capable of adding a stakes-race to her tally of wins after storming home to victory at Randwick last Saturday.
The mare scored her second city win in her three starts since reappearing from a long lay-off.
La Silva is out of the imported mare, Milva, herself a daughter of the champion Strawberry Road.
``She's got an enormous pedigree behind her with the close-up presence of two of the best AJC Derby winners on record,'' Rick Connolly said.
``La Silva has always shown the ability and now that she has overcome whatever caused her to be gone for so long, hopefully Gerry and Greg (Hickman) can add some black-type to her name.''
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COMMANDS NUMBERS GAME
8.3 is the combined winning margin total for Money Rules who beat Orange County and El Segundo to win the Listed Aurie's Star on Saturday.
11 is the number of stakeswinner sired by Commands.
65.2 is the percentage of Commands winners-to-runners.
197 is the number of individual winners sired from Commands 302 starters.
31 is how many BOBS wins Commands sourced in the last year.
2 is the number of $1 million Golden Rose's won by Commands progeny - Paratroopers (2005) & Court Comamnd (2006)
1,000,000 is how much money it took to buy Commands gelding War of The Worlds after he won all three of his Australian starts
``Monet Rules is the Posadas of Victoria,'' says Woodlands Rick Connolly.
``He has an unbelievable win and place ratio like Posadas and really deserved his black-type win when it came.''
Coincidentially, Monet Rules is from the immediate family of The Free Stater sired by another Woodlands stallion, Over.
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Commands Monet Rules in Aurie's Star
The three stakes races run in Australia on Saturday all fell to sons of the all conquering Danehill (USA). Following the victory of Zupaone (Flying Spur) in the Group 3 Spring Stakes at Morphettville and Sliding Cube’s gallant win in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1000m) at Randwick, it was left to Woodlands Stud’s prolific Commands to supply the trifecta when his 5yo son Monet Rules turned the $150,000 Listed Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday into a procession.
Sent straight to the front by Peter Mertens, the lightly weighted Monet Rules (Commands x Paris Weekend by Gielgud (USA)) got away with some tepid fractions before running out a 2 ¼-lengths winner over Orange County (Volksraad (GB) x Saffie (NZ) by Kaapstad (NZ)) with El Segundo (Pins x Palos Verdes (NZ) by Oak Ridge (FR)), under the steadier of 62.5 kgs and conceding the winner 9.5kgs, making a pleasing return to racing after his disappointing seventh placed finish in the Australia Cup (G1) on March 10,, a further two lengths away third.
Trained by Leon Corstens, Monet Rules earned his first stakes success at his fifteenth career start, taking his record to 7 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds for earnings of over $212,000.
"He's a horse on the up. There is a better win in him," said Mertens
The gelding becomes the eleventh stakes-winner for highly popular Commands ( pictured), who covered 219 mares last spring, second only to Encosta de Lago, who passed the 200 mark for the fifth consecutive season when covering 231 mares. Redoute’s Choice served 224 mares for the year when his coverings to northern hemisphere time are factored in.
The number and quality of the mares served by Commands are not the only things heading north. After beginning his career at a fee of $10,000, the son of Danehill will command a fee of $66,000 at Woodlands Stud this spring.
Monet Rules comes from the second crop of Commands.He was knocked down to renowned syndicator Harry Lawton for $50,000 at the 2004 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Lawton was obviously not fazed by the fact that the Commands colt was the tenth foal of the former top-notch racemare Paris Weekend.
She had previously left six winners from her seven to reach the racetrack, but it was her tenth and final foal that was destined to be her first stakes-winner, although two of her daughters have left Group Three winner The Free Stater and stakes-winning mare Golden Weekend.
In a 23 start career, Paris Weekend (Gielgud), won four races including the Listed Keith Mackay Stakes and placed a further 10 times, most notably when runner-up to Full And By in the Champagne Stakes (G1) and to Groucho in the Challenge Stakes (G2).
Monet Rules is the last live foal produced by Paris Weekend, who died in July 2004.
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COMMAND PERFORMANCE
COMMANDS quest for a third successive Golden Rose begins in earnest at Rosehill on Saturday when he untapped El Cambio steps out in the Rosebud Quality.
El Cambio debuted with a sterling second to Gimcrack winner Hurried Choice prior to spelling.
``The way that he won at Canterbury when he resumed suggests that he is up to at very least Saturday class,'' said Rick Connolly.
``Saturday will tell us a lot more as to how far he can progress this Spring but it's hard not to be enthusiastic about his chances.''
Meanwhile, watch out for a Commands to strike in the feature Missile Stakes, says Connolly, with Posadas ready to keep her superlative first-up record intact.
``Posadas is a most genuine sprinter and boasts some wonderful figures around Rosehill and over the distance. ''
The Missile also marks the return of Viscount son Tarleton who won the Pago Pago in 2006.
``He's been a long time away from racing but both of his trials were good.,'' Connolly offered.
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QUEST FOR FAME ORPHANED
Tara Madgwick - Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Perennial Woodlands Stud favourite Quest for Fame (GB) has been orphaned overnight with news from the Northern Hemisphere announcing the death of his sire Rainbow Quest and dam Aryenne.
A $950,000 yearling purchase in 1982 for Juddmonte Farm, Rainbow Quest went on to become a champion racehorse, his many wins including the Arc de Triomphe as a four year-old.
Retired initially to Juddmonte Farm and then to Banstead Manor where he spent the last 19 years, Rainbow Quest became a champion sire as well with a string of superior runners including Millenary, Saumarez, Raintrap, Fiji, Sunshack, Nedawi, Sought Out, Abitara, Lighted Rainbow, Casanga, Fair Question, Spectrum, Croco Rouge, and our own Quest for Fame (GB), who won the 1990 English Derby.
Just last month Rainbow Quest posted his 95th stakes-winner worldwide when three year-old filly Fashion Statement won the Oaks d’Italia.
Rainbow Quest was put down at age 26 after suffering complications arising from emergency colic surgery.
Veteran Juddmonte broodmare Aryenne, who provided Rainbow Quest with his first classic winner Quest for Fame (GB), also died yesterday at the remarkable age of 30.
20 year-old Quest for Fame (GB) is poised to serve his 15th season at Woodlands Stud this spring at a fee of $11,000.
courtesy of Tara Madgwick at breednet.com.au
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GERGIS BOBS UP
PROMISING gelding Gergis helped maintain his sire Viscount’s lead on the 2007 BOBS rankings after a breakthrough win at Kensington on Saturday.
Gergis ran on well at his first start at Randwick when fifth but the step up to 1400 metres and the addition of blinkers brought on considerable improvement in the regally-bred two-year-old.
Gergis is out of Sibylline – a Chief’s Crown half-sister to multiple G1 winners Lonhro and Niello.
Viscount is just short of $10,000 ahead of Magic Albert who is locked on 27 wins with another Woodlands sire Commands.
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CANNY LAD DAUGHTER TOPS SALE
GOLDEN Slipper winner Canny Lad's reputation as a broodmare sire was recognised at the Great Southern sale in Victoria yesterday when one of his daughter topped the first session.
Absolute Dream (Canny Lad - Absolute Queen) changed hands for $240,000 equalling the opening day's high.
As well as being a seven times G1 sire, Canny's Lad daughters have produced Redoute's Choice, Desert War, Mnemosyne and Blue Diamond winner Kusi.
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COMMAND PERFORMANCE
DANEHILL son Commands edged closer to his 200th individual winner after another successful weekend at home and in Asia's major centre, Hong Kong.
Commands sired a two-State double beginning with the John Morrisey trained Instructed who won the first race on Eagle Farm's Winter Stakes programme.
Later in the day, talented gelding Monet Rules forged clear to win by four lengths and take his record to 6 wins and three placings from 14 starts.
Meanwhile in Hong Kong, Yellow Diamond posted a swift 1.08 flat for the 1200 metres at Sha Tin and take his short career earnings past the A$500,000.
The win comes in the wake of a stunning recent debut victory by another HK-based Commands - Bejewelled - who is destined for bigger things.
All this action, in Australia at least, has seen Commands peg back the lead of barn-mate Viscount on the 2006 BOBS Stallion Activity rankings.
Viscount is placed first by earnings but trails Commands by number of wins some four adrift.
Strategic is fourth on earnings but comes in third by wins.
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COOL RUNNING
IMPOSING Viscount colt Cool Duke finished like an express train to win the first race at Kensington today for trainer Matthew Smith.
The colt was having only his second start in a race and has clearly progressed from his debut effort as good as it was.
Cool Duke's Woodlands connection doesn't end with his sire, given that the dam is a daughter of Canny Lad.
Cool Duke was purchased at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $65,000.
Even at this early stage, that looks like being a very sound investment.
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COMMANDING EFFORT
CROWN Lodge galloper Picket Fence kept the Commands bandwagon rolling along after he won on the Kensington program.
The five-year-old showed some of the grit and determination to tough out his latest victory that scored him a Debutants Stakes when we first saw him.
Picket Fence's earnings went beyond $250,000 as a result of his most recent win.
Meanwhile, in Hong Kong, Aussie gelding Bejewelled was the talk of the recent Sha Tin meeting after running away to score on debut.
The $200,000 Magic Millions Yearling appears capable of more wins in the Territory perhaps even a stakes race when racing returns after it's annual hiatus.
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My Other Woman - Magic Millions June Mare Sales 2007
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Sunbeam
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South African Stakes Horse for Strategic
Tara Madcwick - Monday June 11, 2007 - Breednet.com.au
Australian bred three year-old Strategic News gained Black Type in South Africa at the weekend when finishing second in the Group Three Jubilee Stakes at Turffontein over 1800 metres.
Taking on older horses after finishing a close second at his previous start, STrategic News was beaten a neck and has the overall record of two wins and five placings from eight starts.
Bred and offeredfor sale by Newhaven Park, Strategic News fetched $40,000 at the 2005 Magic Millions Yearling Sale when knocked down to South African trainer Dylan Cunha.
By the Woodlands Stud based sire Strategic, the chestnut colt is the first foal of the Grand Lodge (USA) mare Sensuous, a half-sister to Group Two winner De France and Group Three winner Whistler.
Sensuous was sold by Newhaven last year and picked up by Riverslea Farm at the 2006 Inglis Broodmare Sale for $62,000 and the foal she was carrying, a colt by Charge Forward, was sold at the Inglis Australian Select Weanling Sale this yearby Riverslea for $70,000.
Sensuous was covered last spring by Arrowfield Stud's young Group One winning son of Redoute's Choice in Schnitzel.
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NATIONAL SALE SUCCESS
A daughter of 1992 Golden Slipper winner Burst in foal to Encosta De Lago offered as part of our draft sold for $535,000 at the MM National Broodmare Sale.
The mare My Other Woman, is by Kentucky Derby hero Fusaichi Pegasus and a half-sister to four winners including the SP'ed South African First Burst (by Danehill).
There was strong interest in Lot 1350, Sunbeam, who eventually sold for $90,000.
Sunbeam is a three-quarter sister to triple G1 horse Freemason from one of Woodlands Stud's most successful families.
``Sunbeam, is out of Shaybisc who is the foundation mare of horses like Undue, Sashed, Bradshaw, Debrief, Santissima, Asarka and Umpire,'' said Rick Connolly.
Meanwhile, lot 1212, Eulalie, is a Strategic half-sister to SW'ers Heather and Peat Bog.
She sold for 82,000 in foal to Canny Lad.
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DIAMOND LIFE
Blue-blooded NZ filly Diamond deck will deliver Woodlands sires a double dose of G1 glory if she was to win Monday’s prestigious T.J. Smith Classic at Eagle Farm.
Not only is the filly by past champion Octagonal, her dam is a half-sister to Lonhro.
Surely the combination of their 22 group one wins can get her across the line.
Diamond Deck is yet to place a miss in her three runs to date, all of them in black-type races.
The manner in which she closed in the QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes last time suggests that Octagonal’s fifth G1 winner is only days away.
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THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY
COMMANDS next group one winner may be only weeks away as Friday Creek threatens to spoil the supposed match-race between Takeover Target and Gold Edition in the $1m Stradbroke Handicap.
The Sydney-sider looks to have clawed his way into the field after a gritty win in last Saturday's BTC Sprint - G3 at Doomben to win his first stakes-race.
Friday Creek has now won seven races from 18 starts with four seconds and a third with earnings of over $300,000.
The John O'Shea galloper became Commands 10th individual stakes-winner after the 1350m event joining the likes of Paratroopers, Undue and Court Command.
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Woodlands Sires Do
uble at Sha Tin
Courtesy of breednet.com.au and Tara Madgwick - Monday, May 14, 2007
W oodlands Stud based sires Commands and Strategic were both represented at Sha Tin on Saturday with wins for Steel Nerves and Horace’s Choice.
The Almond Lee trained three year-old Steel Nerves sat deep throughout from a wide draw, but proved way too strong in surging clear over the concluding stages to win the 1400 metre event by a length and three quarters.
Placed at his two most recent appearances, it was the first win for the son of Commands who was purchased by Vin Cox Bloodstock for just $20,000 at the 2005 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Offered for sale by Woodlands Stud as agent, Steel Nerves is the first foal of Coy Cowgirl, a minor winner by Shy Rambler (USA) from the family of Group One winning sprinter Hartbalm.
Strategic three year-old Horace’s Choice made it back-to-back wins for leading trainer Caspar Fownes when he held off all challengers to win the 1400 metre Class Three event by a neck.
Bred by Woodlands Stud and sold privately to Hong Kong after winning at Sandown last August under the name of Arrested, Horace’s Choice has now won two of five starts for the Fownes stable.
Horace’s Choice is the eighth foal of disappointing producer Booked, a Woodlands Stud home bred by Pine Circle (USA) that won the 1994 Group One QTC Queensland Oaks.
Strategic is currently enjoying a phenomenal season with over 100 individual winners in Australia led by Group One winning juvenile Meurice and represents great value this season at a fee of just $16,500. nce.
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VIS-COUNTING
Monday, May 14, 2007
FORMER Champion 2 & 3YO Viscount sired a Randwick double last weekend with Cocoruru and Censorious each saluting for Woodlands.
Cocoruru notched his second metropolitan win when proving too strong in the opening event of the programme.
The gelding is an extension of the highly successful Quest For Fame/Danehill cross which has itself produced stakeswinners including Unworldy, De Beers, The Rhine and Bumptious.
Meanwhile, two-year-old filly Censorious finished strongly to break her maiden status in convincing fashion.
The filly has a pedigree that should see her to the fore in her classic year with pedigree relations like Brisbane and Adelaide Cup winner Sheer Kingston and her dam's three-quarter-blood-brother, Adolescence.
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Woodlands Stallions for 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
AD VALOREM
Bay 2002 by Danzig - Classy Women
Unbeaten two-year-old and dual G1 winner by the renowned sire-of-sires Danzig. Ad Valorem won the prestigious Middle Park Stakes (6f) at two then trained on to take the Queen Anne Stakes over the mile.
Ad Valorem is the only G1 winning juvenile by Danzig available to breeders in Australia this season and was a tough, genuine performer perfectly suited to our style of racing.
Service fee : $22,000 (inc GST).
CANNY LAD
Bay 1987 by Bletchingly - Jesmond Lass
Canny Lad stands proudly among the long list of Golden Slipper winners that have made their mark on breeding both as a sire and now as a broodmare sire.
He recently passed the milestone of 500 individual winners and boasts a tremendous 68 percent winners to runners.
Canny Lad has sired 43 SW'ers, 27 SP'ed including 9 G1 winners, the most recent of which was He's No Pie Eater.
Canny Lad is credited with almost single-handedly prolonging the Star Kingdom male-line and has given racing G1 winners at 1100m, 1200m, 1350m, 1400m, 1600m, 2000m and 2400m.
He is also the broodmare sire of Redoute's Choice, Desert War and Mnemosyne.
Service fee : $22,000 (inc GST).
COMMANDS
Bay 1996 by Danehill - Cotehele House
Multiple group winner and G1 placed.
Commands is one of Danehill's most prolific sire sons rapidly closing in on 200 individual winners. His foremost progeny to date include Golden Rose winners Paratroopers (G1) and Court Command as well as the dual G1 winner Undue.
Commands regularly leads the BOBS scoreboard reflecting the frequency with which his offspring strike in town. His yearlings have sold for up to $520,000.
Brother to Danewin and boasts Eight Carat as his third dam.
Service fee : $66,000 (inc GST).
DOMESDAY
Brown 2002 by Red Ransom - In The Past (GB).
The aristocrat!
Domesday won the STC Silver Slipper as a two-year-old and was heading to G1 classic glory at three before he had his career curtailed by injury.
His sire Red Ransom is a global source of G1 winners while his dam was one of the first broodmares to make more than $1m at auction in Australia.
Domesday covered a very good book in his first season and is bound to be a contender for first season honours when his progeny hit the track.
Service Fee $11,000 (inc GST).
LONHRO
Brown 1998 by Octagonal - Shadea
The champion!
What else can you say about Lonhro that hasn't already been said?
The Horse of the Year with 11 G1's and the title of World Champion Miler all make for an awesome resume.
His yearlings are mostly mirror-images of `Dad' including the Palme D'Or colt who made $1.05 million at Karaka this year. Impossible to fault.
Service Fee $66,000 (inc GST).
MANTON
Bay 2002 by Danehill - Kensington Gardens.
Manton sold for $1.1 million as a yearling when that was still a lot of money - and it shows.
He's a magnificent type of horse with a pedigree to match.
Manton beat Stratum home in his only two-year-old race then trained-on to win the G2 Tulloch Stakes in faster time than Mahogany, Shogun Lodge and subsequent AJC Derby winner Ivory's Irish.
Service Fee $11,000 (inc GST).
OCTAGONAL
1992 by Zabeel - Eight Carat.
Still one of the greatest racehorses of all time, Octagonal has since become a sire of significant international standing.
He has sired G1 winners in Australia, South Africa, Italy and France.
Octagonal was Champion 2 and 3 YO and later Australian Horse of the Year.
Put simply, he's a champion by a champion out of a champion and has sired a champion.
Service fee : Private
OVER
Bay 1996 by Dr Grace - Tromper
The horse who beat Sunline in the Doncaster, Over was a special miler.
The son of AJC Derby winner Dr Grace punches well above his service fee with progeny like Down The Wicket (G1 placed) and (SW'er) The Free Stater.
His progeny can all gallop and are beginning to get the respect they deserve.
Over represents a great outcross for a host of broodmares.
Service fee : $7,700 (inc GST).
QUEST FOR FAME (GB)
Bay/Br 1987 Rainbow Quest - Aryenne
English Derby winner who has sired three Australasian Champions.
He gets all manner of runners from precocious two-year-old SW'ers, milers to classic three-year-olds and stayers.
Quest For Fame has sired (in Australia alone) over 300 winners, 29 SW'ers and 27 SP'ed.
His progeny include G1 winners Viscount, Dracula, Unworldy, De Beers and VRC Oaks winner Tributes..
Service fee : $11,000 (inc GST).
STRATEGIC
Chestnut 1992 by Zeditave - Sudden Impulse.
It was only a matter of time before Strategic sired a Champion 2YO.
A brilliant juvenile himself and with a ``Slipper'' pedigree, Strategic is riding high in the lead-up to season 2007 thanks to Champion 2YO in-waiting Meurice.
Fast and sound progeny is what Strategic produces as standard.
His books have been getting better every year and so have his results.
He's on the move.
Service fee : $16,500 (inc GST)
VISCOUNT
Brown 1998 By Quest For Fame - Antwerp
A rare Champion 2YO and 3YO like Octagonal before him, Viscount has sired stakes horses in his first two crops including the Pago Pago winner Tarleton.
Make no mistake though he has one better in Warhead set to catapult Viscount in the lofty realm of G1 sire.
Viscount is a magnificent horse with a thoroughbreds pedigree and he too is starting to make his presence felt.
Service fee : $33,000 (inc GST)
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Woodlands 2007 Service Fees
Saturday, April 28, 2007
LIKE FATHER.....
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
THE father and son duo Quest For Fame and Viscount were to the fore this week with two highly impressive winners to represent them.
Viscount filly Neroli tallied back-to-back wins when leading throughout to breeze home at Warwick Farm on Tuesday by four lengths.
Neroli made the successful leap to C3 company from her Maiden win at Canterbury earlier in the month signalling a bright future.
The filly is a home-bred and out of the Canny Lad mare Dalquarren.
Meanwhile on Sunday, the untapped Scoot lived up to his name with a blistering six length romp at the Sunshine Coast at his first start for local trainer Stewart Mackinnon.
Scoot was bred by Peter and Wendy Moran and is a Quest For Fame half-brother to the SW'er Patterns.
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$1.15 MILLION STRATEGIC FILLY
Friday, April 20, 2007
STRATEGIC filly She Will Be Loved was sold at the Australian Inglis Broodmare Sale today for $1.15 million.
She Will Be Loved inflicted a rare defeat on Miss Finland when she won the G2 VRC Edward Manifold Stakes in the Spring.
AJC Oaks winner Rena's Lady was fourth.
The filly is out of a Zabeel mare and from the family of Australian-bred Hong Kong Sprint winner All Thrills Too.
The latest member to bolster the clan is New Zealand's champion two-year-old Crossyourheart.
Strategic is bound to follow in the annals of the highly influential Showdown line as he gets more and more daughetrs to stud.
Already one of them has produced the stakes-winner Follow The Till.
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MEURICE A WORTHY CHAMPION
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
STRATEGIC colt Meurice virtually guaranteed himself the title of Australasian Champion Two-Year-Old after his dominant win in last Saturday's AJC Champagne Stakes - G1.
Meurice contested all three legs of the Sydney Grand Slam finishing in the placings each time - a feat that no other horse could manage this year.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained colt is one of 13 individual stakes-winners by his Woodlands sire.
``Meurice has been a great advertisement for Strategic because he plays up his sires best strengths. He was precocious enough to win the first stakes race for two-year-olds in Victoria in October last year then upped the ante when he arrived in Sydney for the Autumn,'' says Rick Connolly.
In the space of his two-year-old year, Meurice has won from 1000 to 1600 metres which gives his trainer plenty of options for him as a three-year-old.
Meurice was never out of a place in all seven starts since his Caulfield debut.
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VALE HE'S NO PIE EATER
CANNY Lad lost one of his best sons and a future sire with the untimely and tragic demise of dual G1 winner He's No Pie Eater.
The three-year-old was euthanased after a trackwork mishap on Monday morning at Randwick.
He's No Pie Eater beat Desert War to win the Chipping Norton Stakes - G1 first-up before adding the Rosehill Guineas - G1.
The Graeme Rogerson-trained colt is the second outstanding Canny Lad three-year-old to pass away this season.
All Black Gold died in similar circumstances in January as he was being readied for the Autumn classics.
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TRIPLE TREAT ?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
WOODLANDS are just one win away from claiming all three legs of Sydney's two-year-old Grand Slam after the blue-blooded Camarilla came from last to win the AJC Sires' Produce Stakes on Saturday.
The Elusive Quality - Camarena filly was saved for the Sires' making way for stablemate Forensics to win the Golden Slipper a week earlier.
Both fillies were purchased by Woodlands at the 2006 Easter Yearling sale as were two more stakes-winners Shaft and Pistols.
The third leg of Sydney's juvenile triple crown - the Champagne Stakes - will be run this weekend at Randwick.
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HAWKSIE FLYING HIGH
Congratulations to John Hawkes on what has been one of his best seasons on record.
As well as winning the Slipper and Sires' for Woodlands, Hawksie claimed his second consecutive AJC Derby when Fiumicino won for owner Nick Moraitis.
It was a close call in the Doncaster too when gun three-year-old Mentality served it up to Haradasun but had to settle to second.
Kudos also to Darren Beadman whose mastery in the saddle has reached new heights over the last season or two.
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GOLDEN SLIPPER
Monday, April 2, 2007
Forensics determined win in the $3.5 million STC Golden Slipper last Saturday comes exactly forty years after Woodlands won our first with Sweet Embrace.
In all, Woodlands has has now won eight Golden Slippers with horses we either bred and/or raced either in part or full.
Golden Slipper winners have had an enormous impact on breeding and while we look forward to Forensics turf career, her value to the Stud is considerable.
Sweet Embrace for instance became a foundation mare at Woodlands and is the grand-dam of Strategic and Clang.
While the latter has since become a Golden Slipper sire, Strategic went close in 2007 with gun-colt Meurice.
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ADELAIDE FILLY
Woodlands were delighted to see Meurice finish in the placings and look forward to locking horns with him throughout the remainder of the two-year-old Grand Slam.
SHOGUN Lodge's three-quarter sister Tahnee Tango submitted her claim to the SAJC Oaks after a sound placing in the G3 Auraria Stakes at Morphettville also on Saturday.
The David Hayes-trained filly is from a wonderfully equipped black-type family which will be on show at Easter in Sydney next week.
Lot 538 in the Australian Easter Yearling Sale is a Lonhro half-sister to Tahnee Tango.
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PLANCHET
CANNY Lad's outstanding son Planchet will go along as sire if he keeps getting horses like Morgan Dollar who made it two-for-two when winning at Moonee valley on Saturday.
The grey colt won his first start at Cheltenham by 2.5 lengths before crossing the border to win in Melbourne by a similarly comfortable margin
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Strategic became the talk of the town
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Compliments of Stallions.com.au
In the space of a couple of hours, Woodlands Stud and its stallion Strategic became the talk of the town as Meurice grabbed the Group 2 Todman Stakes (1200m) and Crosswire landed a successful plunge in the Fine and Dandy Welter at Rosehill last week.
Meurice, was having his first run for new owners and trainer and he displayed speed and courage as his neck victory came after an exhilarating duel over the closing furlong, with Zizou (Fusaichi Pegasus – Natural Is My Name). The third placed Shaft (Flying Spur – Traceable) had raced with the pair until the last 100 metres and was only a head away in the thrilling finish.
In collecting his second stakes victory from four starts, Meurice had forced his way into contention for the Group I Golden Slipper Stakes and gave his crack sprinter-miler sire, Strategic his 14th stakes winner.
Meurice is out of Espadon, who is by Danehill, sire of five Golden Slipper winners. Her mother is Ruby (by Seventh Hussar) is the dam of nine winners including the four-time Group I winner, Rubiton (by Century) and his full-brother the Group I winning, Euclase.
Strategic, a Silver Slipper winner, is a son of Blue Diamond winner Zeditave and Sudden Impulse, the Luskin Star mare who is also the dam of another Group 2 Sliver Slipper winner, Clang (by Bellotto) and the multiple Listed winning Destruct (by Sir Tristram). All are relations of the Golden Slipper winner, Sweet Embrace (by Todman).
Since his retirement to stud Strategic has made a habit of supplying two-year-old winners, and when his first crop hit the racecourses in the spring of 1999 they included Mistegic, winner of the Listed AJC Breeders Plate who went on to claim the feature autumn sprint the Group I AJC Galaxy Stakes, and Fair Embrace, runner-up in the AJC Listed Gimcrack Stakes.
Fair Embrace also trained on to claim the Group 2 MVRC Champagne Stakes and the
Group 3 AJC Sapphire Stakes amongst her six wins.
Strategic went on to have 10 two year-old winners for the season and collect the first season sires title. Since he has been represented by more than 285 winners including 34 who have won or placed in stakes races with earnings of $19.3 million.
The efforts of Meurice and Crosswire are bound to remind breeders the value of Strategic who stood last season at the Cootamundra branch of Woodlands Stud for $16,500 (inc gst).
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