THE Inglis Classic Sale at Riverside Stables, Warwick Farm (February 9-11) offers yearlings by 31 first season sires. Here’s a short history of all the new boys and you can see they are a superbly bred and performed group of young sires. Buyers will certainly be spoilt for choice.
Air Force Blue (USA) (War Front-Chatham by Maria’s Mon)
Stood at Coolmore, 2017 stud fee $16,000, two yearlings.
With Vow and Declare’s win in the 2019 Melbourne Cup, there will be lots of interest in yearlings by this triple Gr.1 winner who was a champion at two in England and Ireland and hails from one of the best female lines in the US, that of champion juveniles Flanders and Surfside. His first three dams are
by outstanding sires, Maria’s Mon, Seeking the Gold and Storm Bird and his sire, a son of Danzig, also left Declaration of War (USA), sire of Vow and Declare. Air Force Blue won the Phoenix-Gr.1 and National Stakes-Gr.1 at the Curragh and took England’s premier short course juvenile event the Dewhurst-Gr.1, prompting trainer Aidan O’Brien to label him “the best two year-old we have ever had”.
Alpine Eagle (High Chaparral (IRE)-Zephytia by Zabeel)
Stands at Armidale Stud, $7700, one yearling.
Won on debut at two, took the Autumn Classic-Gr.2 at three when also runner-up in the Australian Guineas-Gr1 (behind Wandjina). Bred on the same cross as boom young sire Dundeel and his dam has produced a stakes winner to a Danehill-line sire. Represents the Sadler’s Wells male line. From a very good European family and a 4fx5m RF to influential mare Special. His fifth dam McCoy is a half-sister to Sir Ivor.
American Pharoah (USA) (Pioneerof the Nile-Littleprincessemma by Yankee Gentleman)
Stands at Coolmore, $66,000, seven yearlings.
The 2018 US Horse of the Year, Champion 3YO Colt and Triple Crown winner who has already made a flying start with his first northern crop including more than 26 winners (4SW) on dirt and turf in six different countries including a Gr.2 winner and two Gr.1 placed runners. His US yearlings have made up to $8.2m in 2019 and his first southern weanlings sold to $250,000. Represents the Mr. Prospector male line.
Astern (Medaglia d’Oro (USA)-Essaouira by Exceed and Excel)
Stands at Darley, NSW, fee $38,500, 20 yearlings.
A half-brother to triple Gr.1 winner Alizee (Sepoy), this very good juvenile took the Silver Slipper-Gr.2 and Kindergarten-Gr.3 at two before training on to win the Golden Rose-Gr.1 at three, winning five of his nine starts and also running second in the Coolmore Stud (Ascot Vale) Stakes-Gr.1.
His second dam, Alizes, a Gr.2 winner at two, is a daughter of Golden Slipper winner Rory’s Jester and his third and fourth dams La Baraka (Euclase) and Triscay (Marscay) are Gr.1 winners. He is one of the best by champion international sire Medaglia d’Oro, a grandson of Sadler’s Wells, and his dam is by a champion son of Danehill.
Belardo (IRE) (Lope de Vega (IRE)-Danaskaya by Danehill (USA))
Stands at Haunui Farm, $NZ12,000, two yearlings.
By a multiple Gr.1 winner and successful sire, well known here as the sire of Santa Ana Lane and Vega Magic, both multiple Gr.1 winners bred on the same cross (Lope de Vega over mares featuring Danehill), Belardo was Champion 2YO Colt in Europe in 2014 when he claimed the Dewhurst Stakes-Gr.1 before training on to win the Lockinge Stakes-Gr.1 among five wins to 1600m. His Gr.1-placed dam was a champion at two in Ireland and left five winners and his fifth dam Midget was a multiple Gr.1 winner. He represents the Storm Cat male line.
Bobby’s Kitten (USA) (Kitten’s Joy-Celestial Woods by Forestry)
Stood at Twin Hills, $16,500, four yearlings.
This Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint-Gr.1 (6.5f) winner at three won six races to 8.5f, including the Pilgrim Stakes-Gr.3 at two when he was third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-Gr.1 and is a brother to stakes winners Camelot Kitten and Major Magic. They are all by Gr.1 winner and champion sire Kitten’s Joy, a son of El Prado (Sadler’s Wells) who won a Gr.1 at two and is best known here as the sire of Medaglia d’Oro. His dam is by a champion son of Storm Cat and his third dam is a half-sister to Theatrical.
Cable Bay (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE)-Rose de France by Diktat)
Stands at Woodside Park, $19,800, three yearlings.
Already a successful sire in Europe with winners to Gr.3 level, Cable Bay won the Challenge Stakes-Gr.2 at Newmarket and was runner-up in the Dewhurst-Gr.1 at two. His dam also produced a Gr.2 winner in Mister Sea Wolf (ATC Shannon Stakes) and his second dam Cherokee Rose was an outstanding sprinter, collecting the Prix Maurice de Gheest-Gr.1 and Haydock Sprint Cup-Gr.1. She is a half-sister to champion NZ sire Volksraad (GB) (Green Desert). Cable Bay is bred on the same cross, being a son of the Haydock Sprint Cup-Gr.1 winner Invincible Spirit (sire of I Am Invincible), who is a son of Green Desert (Danzig).
Capitalist (Written Tycoon-Kitalpha (NZ) by Fusaichi Pegasus (USA))
Stands Newgate Farm, $55,000, 28 yearlings.
Champion 2YO Colt and winner of the Golden Slipper-Gr.1 and Magic Millions Classic-Gr.1, Capitalist hails a family noted for excellent juveniles. His second dam Compulsion (Danehill) won the Blue Diamond Preview-Gr.3 and is a sister to Golden Slipper-Gr.1 winner Merlene. His third dam Bold Promise is a daughter of Golden Slipper hero Luskin Star and won the Reisling Slipper Trial-Gr.2 before producing eight winners, another Gr.1 heroine Miss Pennymoney, winner of the VRC Newmarket, among them. His sire won at Gr.2 level at two and is a grandson of champion sire Last Tycoon (IRE) (Try My Best) and has a pedigree featuring Slipper winners Vain and Marscay.
Counterattack (Redoute’s Choice-Kisma by Snippets)
Stood at Kitchwin Hills, $13,200, one yearling.
Now deceased, Counterattack won four races to 1350m including the Fred Best Classic-Gr.3, was twice Gr.1 third and fourth in the Stradbroke-Gr.1. He is a three-quarter brother to Gr.1 winners Red Tracer and Shellscrape, both by Dane Shadow. Bred on the same cross as champion sire Snitzel, Counterattack, a grandson of Danehill, is by a multiple champion sire with 13 sons who have produced at least one Gr.1 winner. Dam sire won an Oakleigh Plate-Gr.1 and second dam is by Slipper winner Vain.
Divine Prophet (Choisir-Prophet Jewel by Encosta de Lago)
Stands Aquis Farm (NSW), fee $22,000, 15 yearlings.
The Caulfield Guineas-Gr.1 is a sire-making race, previous winners Vain, Lonhro and Redoute’s Choice attest to that, so Divine Prophet is in good company. The son of international sprint star Choisir (Danehill Dancer (IRE)) also won at two when Gr.1 placed in the Champagne Stakes-Gr.1 and his Gr.3-winning brother Proisir has started his stud career in fine fashion in NZ. His pedigree combines speed influences Lunchtime (GB), Biscay and Centaine, his dam is by a champion sire and broodmare sire and his NZ family is a high class one that includes star juveniles, classic performers and Melbourne Cup winners.
Extreme Choice (Not a Single Doubt-extremely by Hussonet (USA))
Stands Newgate Farm, $38,500, 10 yearlings.
Won four of his eight starts to 1200m including the Blue Diamond-Gr.1 at two and the Moir-Gr.1 at three, when also third in the Oakleigh Plate-Gr.1. Speed oriented colts from the Danehill line present a superb recipe for success at stud and Extreme Choice is from a talented and hardy US dam line, his stakes-winning second dam winning 11 races to 1600m and his third dam 12 races. He traces to Little Sleeper, a sister to dual US Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Challedon. His sire, a stakes winner at two and from the family of Snippets, is one of the best sire sons of Redoute’s Choice.
Flying Artie (Artie Schiller (USA)-Flying Ruby by Rubiton)
Stands at Newgate Farm, $38,500, 20 yearlings.
Placed in the Blue Diamond-Gr.1 and Golden Slipper-Gr.1 at two when he also won the Blue Diamond Prelude-Gr.3, Flying Artie shone brightly at three when he took the Coolmore Stud (Ascot Vale) Stakes-Gr.1 (1200m) against the best sprinters of his age. His dam was pretty smart too, counting the Listed Bow Mistress among six wins, fitting for a daughter of champion and Cox Plate winner Rubiton (Century). Next dam, by the Noholme son Brigand, is a half-sister to Horse of the Year and Cox Plate winner Better Loosen Up (17 wins, seven Gr.1) who made history when he won the Japan Cup for Australia. Dam 3mx3f to champion sire Better Boy (IRE) (My Babu) and has brothers Todman and Noholme (Star Kingdom) 4×3. Sire (49SW), a son of El Prado (Sadler’s Wells), won Breeders’ Cup Mile-Gr.1.
Frosted (USA) (Tapit-Fast Cookie by Deputy Minister)
Stands Darley (VIC), $38,500, one yearling.
Triple Gr.1 winner of six races including the Met Mile by 14 lengths and the highest rated son of multiple Champion US Sire Tapit, a grandson of A.P. Indy. Dam won nine races including two at Gr.2 level and also produced a Gr.3 winner. Second dam won 10 races to Gr.2 level and was a Gr.1 runner-up and is by a son of Seattle Slew, giving Frosted a 4mx4m cross of that Triple Crown winner. Represents the Bold Ruler branch of the Nasrullah male line.
Kiss and Make Up (More Than Ready-Fashions Afield by Redoute’s Choice)
Stands at Aquis farm (QLD), $16,500, five yearlings.
Bred on the dynamite More Than Ready-Danehill cross, Kiss and Make Up won two of his three starts including the Todman Stakes-Gr.2 at two. His sire,
a grandson of Halo, has been a major player on the international stage and his best runners here include More Joyous, Prized Icon and Golden Slipper winners Sebring (sire) and Phelan Ready. His dam, Fashions Afield, one of the best by champion sire Redoute’s Choice, won the ATC Sires’-Gr.1 and Flight Stakes-Gr.1 and was runner-up in the Golden Slipper. Second dam, US-bred Attire (Wild Again), is out of speedy Wrap Around, a Bletchingly daughter who claimed nine races, notably the William Reid-Gr.1.
Maurice (JPN) (Screen Hero-Mejiro Frances by Carnegie (IRE))
Stands at Arrowfield, $27,500, 14 yearlings.
The 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year won 11 races (seven in succession) from 1400m-2000m notably three Gr.1 against all comers in HK international events including the Hong Kong Cup and three in Japan. His sire, from the Roberto male line, won a Japan Cup-Gr.1 and has left more than 200 winners and his dam is an unraced daughter of the Arc de Triomphe winner Carnegie (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells). Maurice is regarded as the best Japanese racehorse to stand outside his home country.
Mikki Isle (JPN) (Deep Impact-Star Isle by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE)
Stands Arrowfield Stud, $13,750, eight yearlings.
Japan’s Champion Sprinter and Miler in 2016 and a winner of eight races (five in succession) at 1400m-1600m including the Tokyo Mile Cup-Gr.1 and Kyoto Mile Championship-Gr.1 and twice a Gr.1 runner-up, Mikki Isle was also a record-breaking two year-old. He is a son of Deep Impact (Sunday Silence), seven-times Champion Sire in Japan and his dam, a winner twice at 1000m is by one of the best racing sons of Danehill, Rock of Gibraltar counting the English and Irish 2000 Guineas and the Dewhurst among seven consecutive Gr.1 wins. His second dam, Isle de France, is a Gr.3 winner and Gr.1 runner-up by Nureyev and from multiple Gr.1 winner Stella Madrid (Alydar), from a family that has produced several Gr.1 winners in Japan. This is the Halo male line.
Odyssey Moon (Snitzel-Run to the Moon (USA) by Arch)
Stands Twin Hills, $8800, six yearlings.
Odyssey Moon came to hand early, winning the Inglis Nursery-RL at two when runner-up to Pride of Dubai in the ATC Sires’ Produce-Gr.1. He was also second
in the Skyline-Gr.2 and third in the Pago Pago-Gr.2 at that age. He trained on to win the Standish-Gr.3 and place several times in stakes events, retiring as the winner of four races (1000m-1300m). His dam is by the good US-based sire Arch, a grandson of Roberto, and she is a three-quarter sister to dual US Gr.1 winner Jostle (by Brocco, a son of Kris S, sire of Arch).
Rageese (Street Cry (IRE)-Rabsha by Dehere (USA)
Stands Windsor Park Stud (NZ), $8000, one yearling.
This winner of four races to 1400m counts one of our champions as his fourth dam in the Bletchingly mare Emancipation. He also boasts a second dam by Sunday Silence, the result of a visit to Japan by Emancipation’s Danehill daughter Felicitation. It’s a heady pedigree mix for a horse who was second in the ATC Sires’ Produce-Gr.1 and Pago Pago-Gr.2 at two and who trained on to win the L’Oreal Paris Stakes-Gr.3 at Flemington. His other efforts included a fifth in the Caulfield Guineas-Gr.1, a third in the Stan Fox-Gr.2 and a fourth in the Golden Rose-Gr.1. As he is by Mr. Prospector grandson and Dubai World Cup-Gr.1 winner Street Cry, best known as the sire of champion Winx, and his dam is by Champion US 2YO Dehere and his pedigree features a 4fx4m cross of Halo, Rageese could be a “smokey” in the freshman sire stakes.
Shalaa (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE)-Ghurra by War Chant)
Stands at Arrowfield Stud, $33,000, 16 yearlings.
The Champion 2YO in Great Britain and France in 2015 and winner of six races in succession to 1207m from eight starts at that age including the Prix Morny-Gr.1 and Middle Park Stakes-Gr.1, Shalaa is by Gr.1 sprinter and leading sire Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) whose brief shuttle career to Australia saw him leave Gr.1 winner Yosei and Group winner and Gr.1 second I Am Invincible, now the hottest sire in the country with more than 400 winners (45SW) since retiring to stud in 2010. Shalaa, who carries a 3mx3m cross of Danzig and has the brothers Kris and Diesis (Sharpen Up) 3×3, is out of Ghurra, a Gr.3 placed daughter of War Chant and three-quarter sister to Gr.1 winner and sire Hayil, also winner of the Middle Park. The Green Desert/Danehill cross is working well locally and Sharpen Up has also proved a good foil for Danehill, which bodes well for Shalaa’s stud career here.
Sooboog (Snitzel- Monte Rossa by Fraar (USA))
Stands at Kitchwin Hills, $13,200, 17 yearlings.
A $1.5m yearling who started his career with a second behind Vancouver in the Breeders’ Plate-LR, he trained on to win three races to 1200m including the VRC Aurie’s Star Stakes-Gr.3 and was runner-up in the SAJC Euclase Stakes-Gr.2. His dam produced eight named foals (all winners), including VRC Lightning Stakes-Gr.1 heroine Snitzerland, a sister to Sooboog. Their dam, Monte Rosa, by the Caulfield Cup-Gr.1 winner Fraar (Topsider) is a sister to Gr.3 winner and twice Gr.1 second Nina Haraka, dam of Gr.1 placed Extension of Time. Their dam La Nebbia is a daughter of the flying Zephyr Bay (Biscay). Sooboog’s fourth dam is by Slipper winner Vain.
Star Turn (Star Witness-Golden delicious by Made of Gold (USA))
Stands at Vinery Stud, $22,000, 27 yearlings.
A winner early in his juvenile season and placed in a Blue Diamond Prelude-Gr.3, Star Turn took on the best sprinters at three, registering Gr.1 placings in the Newmarket, Lightning and William Reid against the older brigade and in the Coolmore (Ascot Vale) against his own age. He won the Schillaci-Gr.2 and San Domenico-Gr.3 and was also runner-up in the Run to the Rose-Gr.2. Powerfully built, he is out of very fast Golden Delicious, 13 wins to 1200m including the Prince of Wales Stakes-Gr.2, a daughter of Made of Gold, the Noholme-line sire who is also dam sire of champion sprinter Starspangledbanner. His sire won a Coolmore-Gr.1 (1200m) and is from the Nureyev male line.
Stratum Star (Stratum-Purely Spectacular by Pins)
Stands at Widden Stud, $11,000, nine yearlings.
It would be hard to find a tougher or more genuine horse than Stratum Star, who won eight races from 1300m-2100m including the Rupert Clarke-Gr.1 and Kingston Town-Gr.1 and placed in another four at the elite level. His pedigree features a 4mx4f of Kaoru Star and his fourth dam is also Emancipation (Bletchingly) in a pedigree laced with Star Kingdom (IRE). His sire, who won a Golden Slipper and left more than 500 winners (42SW), is a son of Redoute’s Choice and his dam is a sisterto stakes winner and Gr.1 placed Raid, by Gr.1 winner Pins, a son of Oakleigh Plate-Gr.1 winner Snippets (Lunchtime (GB)).
Swear (Redoute’s Choice-Crossyourheart (NZ) by Show a Heart)
Stands at Spendthrift Australia, $8250, one yearling.
Won on debut at two and then collected the Ming Dynasty-Gr.3 at three when second in the Spring Champion Stakes-Gr.1. By a multiple championsire who is a son of Danehill and from a top class NZ 2YO who won six races to Listed level and is a daughter of Gr.1 winner Show a Heart and a sister to Gr.3 winner Gotta Have Heart, both out of a mare by Centaine, a leading sire in NZ bred on the Century/Vain/Todman cross. Pedigree features line breeding to Star Kingdom (IRE) including a double of Bletchingly.
Territories (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE)-Taranto by Machiavellian)
Stands at Darley (NSW), $22,000, two yearlings.
Won three races from 1200m-1600m including the Prix Jean Prat-Gr.1 and three times second at Gr.1 level in the Prix Jacques le Marois, Jean-Luc Lagardere and English 2000 Guineas. Stakes placed dam by leading sire Machiavellian (Mr. Prospector), a horse whose dam is inbred to Almahmoud, is out of a Gr.3 winner. Third dam, by Sadler’s Wells, is a half-sister to Street Cry (Machiavellian) and his sister Helsinki (dam of Shamardal). Family features a Gr.2 winner by Commands (Danehill).
Tivaci (High Chaparral (IRE)-Breccia by Fastnet Rock)
Stands at Waikato Stud, $NZ20,000, one yearling.
Claimed his major win in the All-Aged Stakes-Gr.1 and successful in six races from 1000m-1600m, the others including the C.S. Hayes-Gr.3. Placed in the Cantala-Gr.1 and Toorak-Gr.1 and fourth in the T.J. Smith he is out of the winning Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Breccia, a three-quarter-sister to Toorak Handicap winner Allez Wonder. Second dam Luna Tudor (Military Plume) won a Perth Cup-Gr.2 and also produced Gr.3 winner Pretty Pins. Represents the Sadler’s Wells male line.
Turn Me Loose (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB)-Indomitable by Danehill (USA))
Stands at Windsor Park Stud (NZ), $NZ15,000, three yearlings.
Won the NZ 2000 Guineas-Gr.1 before travelling to Australia to take the Emirates-Gr.1 and Futurity-Gr.1. Named Champion Sprinter and Middle Distance Horse in NZ 2015-16, he won seven races from 1200m-1600m, the others including the Crystal Mile-Gr.2 and Hawkes Bay Guineas-Gr.2 and was also runner-up in the C.F. Orr-Gr.1. Iffraaj (Zafonic), a Gr.2 winner and leading international sire represents the Mr. Prospector male line and his dam is by Nureyev. Turn Me Loose has a second dam by Sadler’s Wells and she is a blood sister to Gr.1 winner Fairy Heights. Pedigree features three-quarter brother Nureyev/Sadler’s Wells 3×3.
Under the Louvre (Excellent Art (GB)-Barcelona Girl by Noverre (USA))
Stands at Grandview Stud, $8800, three yearlings.
His biggest win came in the Stradbroke Handicap-Gr.1 but he collected nine races (975m-1400m) and more than $1.8m and was runner-up in a Goodwood-Gr.1 and Oakleigh Plate-Gr.1 and twice Gr.1 third to cement his sprint credentials. His sire won the St James’ Palace Stakes-Gr.1 at Royal Ascot and is a son of leading sire Pivotal, a grandson of Nureyev. His dam is a half-sister to Gr.2 winner and sire Master Harry and third dam Momentaire (Marscay) won a Widden Stakes-LR. This is the family of Salaam (The Galaxy-Gr.1), whose dam Vista Anna is well known these days through her Gr.1-winning descendants In Her Time and Yes Yes Yes, the latter winner of The Everest in 2019.
Vadamos (FR) (Monsun-Celebre Vadala by Peintre Celebre (USA))
Stands at Rich Hill Stud (NZ), $NZ15,000, one yearling.
Winner of eight races (1600m-2400m) including the Prix du Moulin-Gr.1 and runner up in the Prix Jacques le Marois-Gr.1 and generally regarded as the fastest son of Monsun, the multiple Gr.1 winner and champion sire responsible for three Melbourne Cup winners, including good young sire Fiorente (IRE), among a host of international stars. Dam is a stakes winner by Arc winner Peintre Celebre (Nureyev) and she is a half-sister to Gr.1 winner and sire Valixir (FR). Vadamos was fourth in a Cox Plate-Gr.1 and an Emirates-Gr.1 and he represents the Tamerlane (Blandford) male line.
Vanbrugh (Encosta de Lago-Soho Secret (NZ) by Lucky Owners)
Stands at Windsor Park Stud, $6000, one yearling.
The success at stud of Manhattan Rain and Needs Further, and earlier of Northern Meteor, bodes well for this Spring Champion Stakes-Gr.1 winner who is by the same sire. Vanbrugh won five races from 1200m-2000m, others including the Gloaming-Gr.3 and Coongy-Gr.3 and his dam, by Danehill son Lucky Owners, is out of the outstanding mare Professionelle (Centaine) whose 11 winners include group winners Sportsman, Prisoner of Love, Hoystar along with Listed winner and sire King of Prussia. Next dam, Star of the Knight, is a Gr.2 winner by champion sire Sir Tristram (IRE). Multiple champion sire and Gr.1 winner Encosta de Lago is a son of Fairy King (USA), a brother to Sadler’s Wells (Northern Dancer).
Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon-Winaura by Show a Heart)
Stands at Newgate Farm, $22,000, 22 yearlings.
A real speed machine, Winning Rupert won his first five races (from six starts) in succession from 1000m-1300m, culminating in the Champagne Classic-Gr.2. He also won the Vo Rogue Plate-Gr.3 and Gold Edition Plate-LR. By a sire who won the Todman Slipper Trial-Gr.2 and left Golden Slipper winner Capitalist among more than 480 winners (30SW) and from a dam who won five races to 1200m and is by Gr.1 winner Show a Heart, Winning Rupert’s immediate pedigree reflects his aptitude on the track, while his second dam, a winner of seven to 1400m, is by the fast In The Slot, a son of another speedster in Jukebox (GB) (Sing Sing) and tracing to Last Edition (dam of Sovereign Edition (IRE)).
Xtravagant (NZ)
(Pentire (GB)-Axiom by Zabeel (NZ))
Stands at Newhaven Park, $16,500, 21 yearlings.
The highest rated 3YO in NZ since Bonecrusher, Xtravagant won his only start at two by eight lengths and trained on to land two Gr.1 wins by similar margins, the NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m, 8.5 lengths) and Waikato Sprint (1400m, eight lengths). He won six of 12 starts (1200m-1600m) and was the leading male on the 2015-16 NZ Free Handicap. His sire, who won the ‘King George-Gr.1’ at Ascot, left more than 700 winners (48SW) is a son of be My Guest (Northern Dancer) and his dam, by champion sire Zabeel, also left the Gr.3 winner and WATC Railway-Gr.1 runner-up He’s Remarkable (also by Pentire). Second dam Arletty (Centaine) won eight, notably the Villiers-Gr.2 and STC Queen of the Turf-Gr.2 and is a sister to Gr.3 winner Firetaine. f
