Where does one start this month? What with Catriona successfully completing the New York Marathon, Zed having his first runner to the trials, horses off the farm winning far and wide and ownership success at the Melbourne Cup Carnival, it s been a month of many highlights.
Towkay and Zed
It's hard to put into words the level of anticipation on a stud when the first son or daughter of your new stallion goes to the trials. Despite Zed's (Zabeel-Emerald Dream) pedigree and general profile suggesting we would be unlikely to see a great deal of his stock on the racecourse as two-year-olds, or certainly not before Xmas, there was a real buzz around the farm in the days just prior to the Cambridge Trials on Friday 22 October. And we weren't to be disappointed ; as the yet unnamed Zed colt from Maranello Miss (by Eagle Eyed) ran a close second to an O'Reilly filly over 650m.
Trained by Graeme Forbes in Cambridge the Zed colt showed his trial performance was no flash in the pan by breezing up easily in 10.86 seconds as preparation for this week's Ready to Run Sale at Karaka where he sells as LOT 404.
The win on debut of George (Towkay - Ali Rosa) in Singapore on Friday evening is yet another example of the value to breeders in taking young Towkay stock through to the trial stage. As an unnamed two-year-old , the gelding won both his trails for his breeder G Johnston and trainer Brett McDonald before finding his way to the Laurie Laxon stable courtesy of astute bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo.
Towkay Flyer (Towkay-Classic Realm) won over 1000m in Hong Kong on 31 October.
Other News
Two O'Reilly colts reared on the farm maybe Derby bound come March judging by their recent performances. The LA and Pip McCaroll bred Down Town (from Ashley Downs) won over 1600m at Otaki on 28th October then backed up earlier last week to record a strong finishing second. The John Gilbert bred and David Haworth and Matt Dixon trained O'Reilly's Prize (from Jabeske) won in great style over 1300m at Awapuni on 30 October after a close second on debut earlier in the month.
Mon Visage (Don Eduardo-Heidi Fleiss) who won over 1600m at Te Rapa last Saturday was bred by Justice Lowell Goddard and bought by Lance O'Sullivan from our 2008 Karaka Select draft for $85,000.
Nothing beats the thrill of having a horse in a Classic race and after Aspinall's brave effort for seventh in last year's 1000 Guineas we were thrilled to once again have an interest, this time via the Homebush Partnerships Hammer Down in last week's 2000 Guineas. Sadly the inclement weather wrecked his chances but he showed with comprehensive wins at his previous two starts that he s up to taking out a good race in the near future.
The Jim Barlow bred Silveron Wings (Black Minnaloushe-Cruz Control) who won over 1400m in Singapore on 31 October was a $16,000 purchase from our 2008 Karaka Select draft by Dean Wiles.
Larry's Never Late (Pentire-Laebeel) took his earning to nearly $550,000 Aus with his fresh-up win in Saturday's Group 3 Zaidee's Rainbow Found Stakes over 1500m at Sandown. LA who sold a half brother to Larry by O'Reilly at this year's Sydney Easter Sale to Lloyd Williams are preparing another half brother by Pins for next year's Easter Sale.
We share in the ownership of the Danny O'Brien trained Keano (Pins-O'Really) with a number of friends and although we couldn't be at Flemington because of an important commitment in New York we still got a great thrill to see the stallion win over 1400m on Emirates Stakes Day.
Considered highly enough by connections to run in last season's Group One AJC Derby the Bart Cummings trained Suyama (Savabeel-Steluta) was a winner over 1500m in New South Wales last month. Suyama who was a $300,000 purchase from our 2008 Sydney Easter Sale draft for his breeder Ricky Savory, has a smashing Pins half brother in our Karaka Premier Yearling Sale draft this summer.
For those of you who may have missed reading about or watching it on the news, Catriona and her CatWalk Team, including Olympic and eventing legend Mark Todd, Ellerslie CEO Chris Weaver and Kevin Meyers wife Angela, all completed the New York Marathon last Monday. By doing so they raised money and awareness for The CatWalk Trust www.catwalk.org.nz which helps fund research into a cure for spinal injuries.
"For me the highlight was just completing it and having so many gorgeous friends and family to share in the moment. Oh my goodness how could you not enjoy it. With everyone cheering you on, you feel like the most important person in the world. It is pretty incredible. It is not like you are cycling that distance. Everyone was sweeping me along with their enthusiasm."
Sam's heading north to the Ready To Run Sale this week to see Lyndhurst Farm sell our colts by Towkay (lot 463) and Pins (lot 270). Both breezed up very satisfactorily and the signs are positive that there will be strong buyer interest from overseas again.
Happy racing from Team LA
