As we bid farewell to autumn and welcome the winter carnival, the racing scene across the country remained vibrant, with notable successes for Victorian sires, including a Group 1 win for Swettenham’s Toronado. Here’s a review of some newsworthy highlights over the past month.
Bois D’argent (Toronado (IRE) x Madonna Lily (IRE)) - G1 Doomben Cup
On May 25, Toronado’s Bois D’argent, claimed his first Group 1 victory in the Doomben Cup. The ultra-consistent son of Madonna Lily (IRE) has been placed 21 times across his 28-race career for trainer Annabel Neasham.
Standing at Swettenham Stud for $88,000 (inc GST), Toronado is now the sire of six individual G1 winners.
Bois D'argent takes the G1 Doomben Cup (Image: Michael McInally)
Scarlet Oak (Kermadec x Tactless) - G2 The Roses
Scarlet Oak, a three-year-old filly by Darley Victoria’s Kermadec out of Tactless, secured her first Group 2 win in The Roses on May 25. Under the guidance of trainer Chris Waller, Scarlet Oak has made an impressive debut, placing in all four of her races this season. Bred by Leanach Lodge, she shows significant promise early in her career and is set to line up in the G1 Queensland Oaks in June.
The G2 victory for Scarlet Oak continued a rich vein of form for her dual G1-winning sire Kermadec who’s progeny included recent feature-race winners Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kranji Mile), Tuvalu (Wangoom Handicap), and G1 Queensland Derby hopeful Sonofdec.
Opal Ridge (Rubick x Chadana) - LR Ortensia Stakes
Rubick’s Opal Ridge triumphed in the Listed Emirates Park Ortensia Stakes on May 18. The consistent four-year-old filly, out of winning mare Chadana from the family of G3 winner Candelara, has placed in 11 of her 17 starts. Trained by Luke Pepper, Opal Ridge was purchased for $20,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from Carramar Park and has now accumulated earnings of A$1,268,150.
En Francais (Puissance de Lune x Detox) - G3 The Cummings Stakes
En Francais won the G3 Hahn The Cummings Stakes on May 11. By Swettenham Stud’s stallion Puissance de Lune, the six-year-old mare had demonstrated incredible consistency throughout her career having placed 15 times in 20 starts. En Francais is the second group winner for her sire, Puissance de Lune, alongside G1 winner Moonlight Maid (Manhattan Maid).
Semillion (Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic) - LR Takeover Target Stakes
Group 3 winning sprinter Semillion added further spoils to his trophy cabinet when taking out the Listed Takeover Target Stakes on May 11. By Woodside Park’s Shalaa, Semillion has now earned $741,250 in prize money.
Shalaa, a dual G1-winning Champion 2YO in Europe, has sired 8 Stakes winners in the Southern Hemisphere including G2 Redelva Stakes winner Seven Veils.
Althoff (Written Tycoon x Miss St Tropez) - G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic
Written Tycoon’s exceptional year for juvenile Stakes winners was further enhanced by Althoff’s victory in the G3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic. The Yulong-owned two-year-old colt is out of Miss St Tropez and was acquired for $500,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Althoff has placed in two out of three starts in his first season, showing great potential under trainer Chris Waller.
Bustling (Frosted x Bussimiss) - G3 Quayclean - WA Sires’ Produce Stakes
Following a successful April, Bustling continued his winning streak by securing the G3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes. With five starts, winning four and placing in one, the two-year-old son of Frosted has demonstrated a promising start to his racing career under trainer Daniel Morton, further exemplifying the prowess of Victorian-sired horses in 2YO races nationwide.
Just Folk (Magnus x Fast Ruby) - G3 Hawkesbury Cup
On May 4, Just Folk, a seven-year-old gelding by Magnus out of Fast Ruby, won the G3 Hawkesbury Cup. Trained by Gavin Bedggood, Just Folk was purchased for $199,000 from Julius Racing at the Inglis Digital Sale. In his seven-year-old season, he has had 10 starts, placing in seven and winning three.
Tuvalu (Kermadec x Hangin’ Tough) - LR Wangoom Handicap
Tuvalu, by Kermadec out of Hangin’ Tough, triumphed in the Listed Wangoom Handicap. Bred by Merricks Station and sold for $200,000 at the Inglis Yearling Sale to Boomer Bloodstock and Lindsey Smith, Tuvalu is trained by Lindsey Smith and has placed in 18 out of 22 starts in his career so far.
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