Saratoga Success

The Aquis Farm stallion parade and open day on Sunday drew a huge crowd to their picturesque Canungra base and there was good news to start the day with the first Aquis owned runner in North America saluting at Saratoga on Saturday.
 

Owned by Stonestreet Stables in partnership with Aquis, the Mark Casse trained two year-old colt Machtree was able to score a determined debut win in the 1 and 1/16th mile maiden on turf.

A $450,000 Blue Sky Bloodstock Keeneland September purchase by top class Group I sire Kitten's Joy, Machtree is from Grade II placed Lady Lumberjack, a daughter of stakes-winner Harbor Blues.

News from Breednet

Unbeaten Siege Of Quebec Ready for Rosebud

Co-trainer Adrian Bott expects blue blooded colt Siege Of Quebec to acquit himself well when he makes his stakes debut in tomorrow's Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

The $1.2 million Easter yearling, who is raced by a syndicate comprising trainer Gai Waterhouse, Tom Magnier, Nordic Racing & Breeding, and Julian Blaxland, is unbeaten in his two starts to date and will use the Rosebud as a stepping stone to the Gr1 Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on 10 September.

"He has a little bit of time between races now to freshen up and get that speed back into his legs for the 1100m. The horse does have a very good turn of foot and we'll see it again on Saturday," Bott told racingnsw.com.au.

"He is well weighted against those horses that have already proven themselves at the top level. He is a horse on the up and has the advantage of race fitness so it looks an ideal starting point for his Golden Rose campaign."

Bott added:"We always knew we had a nice horse on our hands and wanted to look after him. We put him away in favour of producing him as a late two-year-old and roll into the spring as an early three-year-old."

By Fastnet Rock out of Rose Of Cimmaron (Bite The Bullet), Siege Of Quebec is a full-brother to the smart Gr3 MRC Manfred Stakes winner Bull Point. Rose Of Cimmaron, herself, is a full-sister to Gr3 winner and prolific producer Mica's Pride, dam of multiple Gr1 winning stallion Criterion.

Blue Sky Bloodstock Flying Into Spring

With a double on Wednesday afternoon at Canterbury Park by Runaway and Gold Standard, followed by unbeaten runners Siege Of Quebec and Whypeeo racing on Saturday, the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased three-year-old’s are heading into the spring full of gusto.

Second last time out to the highly-touted D’Argento, the Rosemont Stud-bred and part-owned Runaway was impressive in the opener of the day, leading throughout for a two and a quarter length victory.

A Manhattan Rain three-quarter-brother to Group 1 Oaks winners Abbey Marie and Absolutely, the future looks bright for the colt who will target the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

Purchased in a partnership by Gai Waterhouse and Julian Blaxland from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt looks an ideal candidate for the Spring Champions Stakes, a race the stable has won in the past with Hampton Court, Platinum Scissors and Nothin’ Leica Dane.

Two races later Sebring colt Gold Standard highlighted himself as one to watch as he progresses into his campaign, winning over 1250m by a length and a quarter.

A $160,000 purchase by Blaxland, Waterhouse and Mount Hallowell Stud from the draft of Eliza Park International at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Gold Standard is the third winner from four runners for the dual Group 3 winner Coniston Gem.

As we progress towards the weekend, Saturday sees the running of the Listed Rosebud at Rosehill, a stepping stone to the Group 1 Golden Rose on September 23.

Unbeaten after two starts, the blue-blooded Fastnet Rock colt Siege Of Quebec was a $1.2 million purchase from the draft of Newgate Farm at the Inglis Easter yearling sale by Tom Magnier, Gai Waterhouse, Julian Blaxland and South Africa’s most successful owner Markus Jooste.

A full-brother to Bull Point who finished third in the Golden Rose behind Zoustar and Dissident, having previously finished fourth in the Rosebud when in the care of Waterhouse, Siege Of Quebec’s campaign had always been targeted towards the $1 million stallion making race.

“He’s bred to be anything, physically he’s one of the most imposing individuals you’ll come across and there’s a lot of upside to him,’’ stated co-trainer Adrian Bott after the colt’s second victory.

Set to carry the Blue Sky silks on Saturday at Doomben is the impressive five and a half-length debut winner Whypeeo.

A half-brother to the Group 2 Angus Armanasco winner Meliora, the Toby Edmonds-trained son of I Am Invincible was purchased from the draft of Yarraman Park at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $200,000.

The impressive start to the 2017-18 season for yearlings secured outright or in partnership by Blue Sky at the sales have continued on from the great 2016-17 season where Blaxland buys achieved 13 individual two-year-old winners including Group 2 Riesling winner and Golden Slipper runner up Frolic, Invincible Star and From Within. 

Spring Plans for Runaway

As a three-quarter brother to a pair of Oaks winners, it's no surprise the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes is on the agenda for promising three year-old Runaway, who broke the ice with his first win at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Sporting the Rosemont Stud red and white colours, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained colt Runaway scored a bold front running victory.

Having his fourth race start following a debut fourth and two second placings, Runaway had race fitness and experience on his side which he used to good advantage.

The son of Manhattan Rain was well rated in front by Josh Parr and relished the 1550 metres to cruise clear and win by two and a half lengths.

"There's more to come from him as he's really growing in confidence," said Adrian Bott, who indicated the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes over 2000 metres was the long range goal for Runaway.

"There's plenty of him to work with. He's a lovely colt and gives the impression 2000 metres will suit."

A $150,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Gai Waterhouse / Julian Blaxland, Runaway runs for a syndicate that includes his breeder Rosemont Stud.

He is a three-quarter brother to Group I Oaks winners Absolutely and Abbey Marie, both sired by Redoute's Choice, who is a half-brother to Runaway's sire Manhattan Rain.

Runaway is the sixth winner from six foals to race from Catshaan, a half-sister by Catrail (USA) to Aussie bred Japanese Group I winner Kinshasa No Kiseki.

Rosemont Stud sold a Redoute's Choice colt from Catshaan at Inglis Easter this year for $550,000 to Shadwell Australia that has been exported to South Africa and the mare has a yearling filly by Zoustar.

News from Breednet

Ballina Blitz For Whypeeo

Toby Edmonds is a genius with an I Am Invincible as he should be given he trained him and he unleashed another sizzling debut winner by the leading Yarraman Park sire at Ballina on Friday, July 28.

Sporting the Blue Sky Bloodstock colours, two year-old gelding Whypeeo was a hot favourite for the 1005 metre maiden and gave his rivals a cold as he led throughout and powered clear to win by five and a half lengths.

A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for Blue Sky Bloodstock from the Yarraman Park draft, Whypeeo is a half-brother to Group II winner Meliora and is the sixth winner from six to race from terrific producer Sunset Boulevard.

He is the 28th two year-old winner of season for I Am Invincible, a remarkable feat for a relatively young stallion.

Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to congratulate our fellow owners; Yearlings Promote Optimism, Mr M S Sowerby, Just Fun Racing, Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia and G1G Racing & Breeding.

News from Breednet

Golden Rose Could Be Under Siege From Unbeaten Colt

They reckon a million bucks isn’t what it used to be, but seven figures still garners plenty of attention at bloodstock auctions.

Even at a sale like the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where nine youngsters were knocked down for a million or more.

One of those was a Fastnet Rock colt from the very well-related Bite the Bullet mare, Rose of Cimmaron which sold to the tune of $1.2 million, courtesy of the combined bidding of Tom Magnier, Gai Waterhouse Racing, Julian Blaxland and Nordic Breeding & Racing.

Such is the enigma that is racing, money doesn’t always buy you class, but the colt – subsequently named Siege of Quebec – appears to be something right out of the box and, after a thrilling victory over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, is now on target for Group One glory.

Debuting over 1250m at Newcastle on 27 June, Siege of Quebec, led throughout to win with only a half length to spare and he again lead for most of the journey at Rosehill before scoring by less than a panel.

What made it interesting though is that Siege of Quebec was actually headed – or more applicably by a neck or more – by another promising colt, Calculated, over the final stages, but fought back strongly under the urging of jockey Tommy Berry. The remainder of the field was left at least 3.5 lengths astern.

Siege of Quebec now appears poised to step up to the Group Three Ming Dynasty Quality next month before a tilt at the Group One Golden Rose on 9 September.

Berry was clearly impressed and said after the race: “he is just so relaxed, you can’t tell how good he actually is. He kind of reminds me of Vancouver because he won by short margins, but you knew there was more there. How much more is exciting.”

The jockey’s mention of Vancouver – who won a Golden Slipper and now stands at Coolmore Stud – is certainly relevant to the ownership group which includes both Coolmore and Belinda Bateman, wife of the late Edmund Bateman, whose estate not only bred Siege of Quebec, but was also part owner of Vancouver, Australian Guineas winner, Wandjina, and yet another Golden Slipper winner in Capitalist.

Coolmore Australia’s Sales, Marketing and Racing Manager, Sebastian Hutch, believes Siege of Quebec sold himself as a yearling: “The impression at the Easter Sale was that Siege Of Quebec was one of the most admired yearlings on the complex, which is understandable given he presents as just about the perfect physical specimen.

“Additionally, his full-brother, Bull Point (Melbourne Group winner) had been a high-class horse in his own right and it’s a quality family that has had a lot of success, particularly in recent years, while we have always had tremendous faith in Fastnet Rock’s ability to become a quality sire of stallions.

“Gai (Waterhourse) and Adrian (Bott) have held Siege Of Quebec in the highest regard from very early on and he is a very exciting horse for the syndicate which includes some of the most recognisable names in the world of international breeding and racing.

(Others in the Siege of Quebec ownership group include Nordic Racing and Breeding, Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Emirates Park, Susie Montague, Geraghty Bloodstock, G1G Racing and Kate Waterhouse).

“I’m sure Mrs Bateman got a great thrill out of his win on Saturday and hopefully he can go on and prove himself a top-class performer in due course.

“Saturday’s race was a particularly strong one as we have been hearing for some time that the runner-up, Calculated, might be something out of the ordinary and naturally we are hoping that he can go on to be another big star for So You Think.”

Newgate Farm’s Henry Field is also over the moon with Siege of Quebec’s rise: “He’s a lovely type, from a great family (closely related to 4-time Group One winner Criterion) and the most expensive yearling (pictured below as a foal) Newgate sold last year.

“But it was also terrific for the Batemans who have been great supporters of the farm … indeed, pivotal to our success. Apart from Wandjina and Capitalist which stand at Newgate, they also raced Foxwedge and, while they could have placed him with any stud in Australia, they chose us, basically launching our stallion roster.

“The Batemans have a very select portfolio of bloodstock, which is managed by James Harron, and from the horses they breed to, they retain some and sell the others. Fortunately, they chose to offer Siege of Quebec and it really looks like it’s going to pay dividends for all concerned.

“His dam, Rose of Cimmaron, has a yearling colt by Exceed And Excel that’s now with the Snowdens, but she’s had a bit of bad luck and hasn’t been in foal for the last two seasons.

“She will go to Snitzel this spring and fingers crossed she gets in foal.”

Siege Of Quebec Wins Battle Of The Bluebloods

Punters found it hard to separate Fastnet Rock colt SIEGE OF QUEBEC and So You Think colt Calculated in the betting ring and it played out that way on the track in Saturday's #theraces Hcp (1400m) at Rosehill

Sent straight to the front by Tommy Berry, Siege Of Quebec looked to be the first to come off the bridle as Hugh Bowman on Calculated followed Berry through and levelled up.

A winner at Newcastle when making his career debut on June 27, Siege of Quebec is made of stern stuff. He fought off Calculated for a hard earned half length win with Paul Perry's Fastnet Rock colt Condor three and a half lengths back in third.

Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Siege Of Quebec sports the navy blue silks of Coolomore Stud.

With some of the biggest breeders in Austrasia in the ownership, Siege Of Quebec was a $1.2 million purchase from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

"He's bred to be anything. Once he puts it all together and learns he'll be a serious horse," Bott said.

"The immediate plan is that we will be heading towards the Golden Rose.

"We have a plan mapped out for him, probably going through the Ming Dynasty leading in.

"He looked under a bit of pressure at the top of the straight but that's just the colt, he's certainly got plenty of fighting qualities.

"He's such a naturally talented horse but there's a lot of raw ability there at the moment.

"He's still working out what it's all about, still learning when to quicken, when to let down but when he's challenged he knows exactly what to do and importantly at the moment he knows where the line is.

Bred by the estate of the late Edmund Bateman, Siege Of Quebec (pictured as a yearling) is a brother to Group III winner and multiple Group I placed Bull Point who covered 88 mares in his first season last spring at Kingstar Farm.

His dam Rose Of Cimmaron (Bite The Bullet) is a Sydney winning sister to Group III STC Research Stakes winner Mica's Pride the dam of 4-time Group I winner Criterion (Sebring), Group II winner Varenna Miss (Redoute's Choice) and Listed winner Silently (Anabaa).  

NB: Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock x Rose Of Cimmaron) was purchased from the draft of Newgate Farm from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.2m by Tom Magnier, Gai Waterhouse Racing, Nordic Racing and Breeding and Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland. The colt races for; Coolmore, Nordic Racing And Breeding, Mrs B C Bateman, Mr P Hogan, Lady J A Hogan, Emirates Park, Mrs S M Montague, Geraghty Bloodstock Pty Ltd, G1G Racing & Breeding and Ms K Waterhouse.

News from Breednet

Golden Win For Siege Of Quebec

The opener at Rosehill Gardens was hailed as a race in two between crack colts Siege Of Quebec and Calculated and that’s the way it played out with the youngsters clearing out to duke out the finish.

Siege Of Quebec rallied for Tommy Berry in the final 100m after Hugh Bowman idled up on Calculated to be outside of the eventual winner but Siege Of Quebec showed his “fighting qualities” to remain undefeated.

“He looked under pressure at the top of the straight but that’s just the colt. He has certainly got a lot of fighting qualities about him and just does what he has to. He is such a naturally talented horse and there is a lot of raw ability there at the moment,” co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

“He’s still working out what it is all about. When to quicken and when to let down but when he is challenged he knows exactly what to do and its important at the moment that he knows where the line is.”

“Once he gets a little bit more seasoned, and we saw his inexperience there today when he was challenged he came off the bit early, but when the pressure came on he really knuckled down the task. Once he puts it all together and learns what is it all about he’ll be a serious horse.”

The $1.2 million Inglis purchase will now have a short break before being targeted at Sydney’s spring riches, similar to what Gai Waterhouse did with Squamosa and Siege Of Quebec’s full brother Bull Point who won this very same two-year-old race in 2013 on Winter Stakes Day before training on to run third in the Golden Rose behind Zoustar and Dissident.

“The immediate plans will be to head towards the Golden Rose so we’ve got a plan mapped out for him going through the Ming Dynasty (August 26). We’ll freshen him up, keep him ticking over and head him towards the feature races,” Bott said.

“He showed plenty of promise early on and we took him down to Melbourne for an early spring campaign and he even had a jump out down there but we thought he’d benefit from more time so we put him out and we’re reaping the benefits now.”

Berry echoed the thoughts of Bott upon dismounting suggesting that they still haven’t got to the bottom of the Coolmore-owned colt.

“We had a nice time in front and he felt like he was going half pace the whole way round. I really had to keep his mind on the job but Hughie kept me honest and I knew when I pulled the stick through to the right that he’d find another half a length and he did that. He’s a very smart colt,” Berry said.

“At this stage he is a very hard horse to get a guide on because he only does what he has to. He pulled up then like he hadn’t gone around.

“I haven’t had a heap to do with him at home so I’m very thankful to Adrian, Gai and the Coolmore boys to give me the ride. I’ve had a lot of luck with them in the past on some very good horses including Vancouver so it’d be nice if this bloke can do something similar.”

With a four length margin back to the third horse Condor, Hugh Bowman was still full of praise for Calculated despite his defeat.

“It was a bit of a sprint home and I think he’d be more suited to a high pressure race but I was happier with today’s performance than his when last time. He settled really well,” Bowman said.

Racing NSW

Gai Waterhouse believes Siege Of Quebec has the looks to go further

Gai Waterhouse believes SIEGE OF QUEBEC could develop into her latest winter gem after a patient approach with the brother of Bull Point.

The Fastnet Rock colt has been given time to grow into his frame and begun his career with victory at Newcastle on the Beaumont track but has a stamp of quality. He steps up to city company and 1400 metres at Rosehill on Saturday as the next step in his schooling.

"He such a lovely colt (pictured above as a yearling), very relaxed, but he is still learning his craft. We have not pushed him because you look at him and think he is going to grow into a nice horse,"  Waterhouse said. "He has a strong family and has always been a good sort and I would say better looking than his brother, who I trained [to run third in a Golden Rose].

"He is bit of a slower maturer than his brother but he is starting to get there.

"He can win a couple of races at this time of year and get that experience of being at the races and you don't know where these horses can finish.”

Star Of Quebec has a powerful group of owners including Coolmore, which parted with $1.2 million for him as a yearling and is looking for him to become a stallion, so the Golden Rose would be an option.

Waterhouse of course took Squamosa through from a winter-winning two-year-old to be a runner-up in the Golden Rose, but was clear that there is no pressure on Star Of Quebec.

He carried blinkers at his first start and Waterhouse said they were more to keep "his mind on the job" and she said she could see the improvement in the colt after returning from her winter holiday.

"He is still bit of a baby and the blinkers just focus him and keep him from being too relaxed. He is very versatile and can really be anywhere in the field," she said.

"He is the sort of horse that is going to get better with racing, but seeing him working during the week I could see the difference in him.

"It is amazing what a win does for a horse and the way he looks I think he'll be keeping the unbeaten record."

Siege Of Quebec is contesting favouritism for the two-year-old race with an impressive midweek winner from the Chris Waller yard, Calculated.

NB: Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock x Rose Of Cimmaron) was purchased from the draft of Newgate Farm from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $1.2m by Tom Magnier, Gai Waterhouse Racing, Nordic Racing and Breeding and Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland. The colt races for; Coolmore, Nordic Racing And Breeding, Mrs B C Bateman, Mr P Hogan, Lady J A Hogan, Emirates Park, Mrs S M Montague, Geraghty Bloodstock Pty Ltd, G1G Racing & Breeding, Ms K Waterhouse

News from Chris Roots, Sydney Morning Herald

Siege Of Quebec Salutes On Debut

SIEGE OF QUEBEC began his racetrack career in the right fashion for a horse with a $1.2 million price tag, the Coolmore-owned colt holding out Godolphin-trained gelding Intuition in a tough performance at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Sydney premiership leader Brenton Avdulla was entrusted with the reins for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, wearing the Coolmore colours; the racing giant being prominent in the ownership that also consists of Nordic Racing And Breeding, Mrs B C Bateman, Mr P Hogan, Lady J A Hogan, Emirates Park, Mrs S M Montague, Geraghty Bloodstock Pty Ltd, G1G Racing & Breeding and Ms K Waterhouse

The Fastnet Rock colt showed good early speed and Avdulla was able to find the rail with him early in the 1250m race, and despite a good challenge from Intuition, Siege Of Quebec had the best part of half-a-length to spare on the line.

There was a gap of more than four lengths back to third-placegetter Almighty, the $700,000 yearling buy at the 2016 Magic Millions for James Harron Bloodstock running on from well back for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.

Siege Of Quebec was the sixth-highest-selling lot at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and Avdulla said the horse is showing the signs of being up to Stakes grade.

"Really nice horse ... I'm very fortunate that I've been doing a bit of work now for Gai and Adrian for quite a few months, and if you put the work in, they'll give you the rewards," Avdulla said, via Thoroughbred Central.

"I trialled him at Kembla a couple of times, I trialled him at Rosehill, he's probably trialled differently every time, he's definitely got a mind of his own, but I was confident today if he put it all together, he was always going to be hard to beat.

"He's one of those horses, he's going to put his best foot forward as long as he's had a comfortable-enough run early.

"He reminds me of another horse I used to ride, River Wild, who got to Stakes grade.

"I think this horse [Siege Of Quebec] is probably a bit better than him, and obviously he's well-bred, he's got some good owners behind him, and I'm sure he's going to be winning a Stakes race over the next six months or so."

River Wild, another Fastnet Rock entire of Coolmore's trained by Waterhouse/Bott, has won three from eight starts, finishing fourth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas and fifth in the G1 Rosehill Guineas in 2016.

Siege Of Quebec's full-brother Bull Point, now retired, was placed in the 2013 Golden Rose, and the 2014 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, and also won the Group 3 Manfred Stakes in February 2014.

Siege Of Quebec was purchased from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Newgate Farm for $1.2million by Gai Waterhouse, Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland, Tom Magnier and Markus Jooste's Nordic Racing And Breeding.

NEWS: Racing.com

Tommy Berry Hoping Prompt Response Can Give Final Group 1 Before Hong Kong

Tommy Berry is confident Prompt Response can provide a fitting Australian Group One farewell before he relocates to Hong Kong.

Berry was suspended at the previous meeting at Doomben but was granted a stay of proceedings on Monday pending an appeal which enables him to ride the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly in the Tattersall’s Tiara.

Prompt Response defeats My True Love in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes last start

Saturday’s 1350m-race for fillies and mares is the final Group One race of the Australian season.

Berry, who heads to Hong Kong in August to take up a contract as stable rider for John Moore, is looking forward to riding the filly again.

“I think she’s a great chance from a good barrier (8). I’ll be able to get a really good run,” Berry said.

He rode Prompt Response to win the Group Two Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) on June 10 and he expects another bold showing.

“Her form stacks up well and that win will give her a lot of confidence,” Berry said.

“There’s going to be a lot of tempo and that’ll be good for her.”

Prompt Response was at $6.50 with Luxbet on Thursday with Stradbroke Handicap runner-up In Her Time the TAB’s $3.10 favourite with Berry naming the Ben Smith-trained mare the main danger despite her wide barrier.

“The gate favours us a bit more but she’s a strong on-speed type and she’s got the form from the Stradbroke,” he said.

Like most Tulloch Lodge runners, Prompt Response was an on-pace runner early but Waterhouse and Bott have altered her usual racing pattern.

“When she was up on the pace she was just unable to find that killer blow to be able to put them away,” Bott said.

“We thought if we could ride her conservatively and give her a chance to finish off the race we might be able to get a different result and that worked out for us in the Dane Ripper.”

News from AAP

Blue Sky Bloodstock Gradutes Go One Two In Dane Ripper

There are few more honest horses in training than the Beneteau filly Prompt Response who earned a second stakes success when fighting off stablemate My True Love in the Saturday's $200,000 Group II Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben.

Ridden by Tommy Berry for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Prompt Response finished fast to defeat My True Love (Fastnet Rock) by a long neck with Bonny O'Reilly (O'Reilly) a half-length back in third. (photos Steve Hart).

The Group I Tatts Tiara is a popular end of season target for many fillies and mares and that's the way Prompt Response is heading according to Adrian Bott.

"The Tattersall's Tiara has always been out main aim. She is a filly with plenty of promise and she will get into the Tiara well under the weight conditions," Bott told AAP.

The daughter of Beneteau has been stakes placed three times since winning the Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) at Sandown back in November.

Prior to that she was runner-up in the Listed Crocket Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Lexus Hybrid Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.

The homebred advances her record to three wins and 7 seconds from 14 start5s with earnings of $537,600.

A sister to 2014 Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner Prompt Return is the fourth foal of the Exceed And Excel mare Prompt whose first two foals are the stakes-placed Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) and the Hong Kong winner Mr Right (Statue Of Liberty).

Though she failed to place in three starts, Prompt is a daughter of the Desert Sun mare Amnesia a 5-time winner who placed in nine stakes races.

After slipping in 2014 and 2015, Prompt foaled a colt by Horse Of The Year Dissident last spring and was bred back to Medaglia D'Oro (USA).

News from Breednet.

Written Tycoon Filly Tops National Yearling Day Two

A quality filly by Written Tycoon topped Day Two of the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Yearling Sale on Wednesday to round out Book One of the auction.

Offered by Kitchwin Hills, as agent, the filly was purchased by Aquis Farm and Blue Sky Bloodstock in conjunction with leading New South Wales trainer Kris Lees.

Blue Sky's Julian Blaxland was able to secure the prized filly with a $300,000 bid.

"Physically she was the filly of the sale," Blaxland reported. "She looks a real two-year-old."

"She's an out cross and Aquis is really happy to be supporting Kris Lees with their first horse together."

"The sire is doing a wonderful job and on the market at the yearling sales for the past 12 months, when compared to other fillies of similar quality, she looks great buying," Blaxland added.

The filly, catalogued as Lot 2206, is the second foal of the two-year-old winning More Than Ready mare More Black Magic.

A winner at 1000 metres and Sydney placed, More Black Magic is from the WATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Ebony Magic and hails from the family of the Group One winner Covertly.
 

Book One Bonanza For Blue Sky

Comprising four days of intensive selling and buying, the 2017 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale was not only a triumph for the sales company, grossing recording turnover, but Blue Sky Bloodstock and its clients secured many outstanding mares ranging in prices from just $17,000 to $820,000.

With 47 race fillies and mare secured, some highlights include;

Godolphin’s Lot 959: TREMOR, a Commands three-quarter-sister to Group 1 Blue Diamond winner and Group 1 Golden Slipper runner-up Earthquake was the top price lot secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock, knocked down for $820,000 in partnership with Aquis Farm.

With a positive test to Medaglia d’Oro, the sire of local Group 1 winners Astern and Vancouver, Tremor’s foal will be an extremely valuable commodity.

“It is impossible to get into a family like this generally and I thought she was a beautiful physical and it is a terrific opportunity for a new stud farm like Aquis to get into a family like hers from Godolphin. Her family has all been bred up,” Blaxland said.

“Aquis obviously sold a lovely Medaglia d’Oro colt in January (at the Magic Millions) for $1,000,000, so they have had success with the sire, and they were happy to go hard to secure a blue chip mare for the farm.”

Blaxland said Tremor could return to Darley shuttler Medaglia d’Oro this season.

Julian Blaxland (Blue Sky), John Sunderland (Godolphin) and Justin Fung (Aquis)

All in all, six of Blue Sky's 47 purchases were from Godolphin's extensive draft of mares and race fillies.

Another mare who looked great buying was Lot 1390 from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds. Two-year-old -winning General Nediym mare MARECHAL (NZ) was purchased in foal to leading sire I Am Invincible.

A half-sister to this season’s group 1 Australian Cup winner Humidor, it is the family of the great Eight Carat.

"I'm a big fan of General Nediym and it's speed on speed with I Am Invincible, he's a wonderful young sire who we've had success with," said Blaxland who has previously purchased two stakes winners by I  Am Invincible in INVINCIBLE STAR and SUNDANCE.

 "This mare was a two-year-old winner and she was fourth in the Eclipse Stakes, which is a great two-year-old race. There's a lot of depth in her pedigree and Humidor is still running so there was lots of appeal. She's very commercial and she's a lovely physical type too.

 "We'll foal her down and she might even go back to I Am Invincible, if we can get in. It looks to be a good mating."

A complete list of all mares can be seen below as well as a video wrap from the sale.

Book 1
Lot 601: RAFFINATO (Fastnet Rock x Polite) - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 616: SEEKING ASYLUM (Sebring x Asylum Seeker) - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 667: BLUE OCEAN (Fastnet Rock x Special Harmony) - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 676: CHAMPAGNE KISSES (Onemorenomore x No Penalty) - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 711: POLSON (Northern Meteor x Zali) - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 795: REGAL FLUTE (Royal Academy x Twitter), I/F to I AM INVINCIBLE - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 809: ROLLING (NZ) (Savabeel x Artemesia), I/F to SEBRING - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 811: ROSE OF HALLOWELL (Commands x Court House Lane), I/F to BRAZEN BEAU - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 841: SELECT CAT (USA) (Tale Of The Cat x Secret Patriot), I/F to VANCOUVER -Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 883: SPECIAL BID (NZ) (Alamosa x Something Special), I/F to EXOSPHERE- Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 888: SPEEDWAGON (Snitzel x Modave), I/F to NO NAY NEVER - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 896: SPURCIFIC (Flying Spur x Exact), I/F to DEEP FIELD- Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 899: STAR SHIRAZ (Sequalo x Starshine Express), I/F to EXCEED AND EXCEL - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 939: THE CHUNKSTER (Blevic x Racer's Belle), I/F to SMART MISSILE - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 940: THE FAIRY'S KISS (Elusive Quality x Ballet Society), I/F to SMART MISSILE - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 942: THEBE (Galileo x Queen's Suite), I/F to CHOISIR - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 946: THWAYYA (Snitzel x Miss Rainmaker), I/F to SHOOTING TO WIN - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 959: TREMOR (Commands x Cataclysm), I/F to MEDAGLIA D'ORO - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 993: WITCHLIKE (Magic Albert x Romany Flyer), I/F to RUBICK - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1031: ANTILLANCA (Street Cry x Portillo), I/F to EXCEED AND EXCEL - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1044: AURELIA (Sebring x Amusements), I/F to NICCONI - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1046: AVON PARK (Sebring x Will Fly), I/F to WRITTEN TYCOON - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1064: BENEDICTUS (Commands x La Baraka), Not In Foal - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1077: BRAVE SOUL (More Than Ready x Soul Singer), I/F to ARTIE SCHILLER - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1088: BUT PERFECT (Lonhro x Typhoon Billie), I/F to SMART MISSILE - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1102: CATHY'S MARK (Domesday x Abededarian), I/F to Abededarian), I/F to SO YOU THINK - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1133: CRAFTY JOY (Starcraft x Debra's Joy), I/F to SHAMUS AWARD I/F - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1145: DANGLISSA GIRL (Hinchinbrook x Danglissa), I/F to VANCOUVER - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1189: EURAYLE (Lonhro x Meduesa), I/F to VANCOUVER - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1192: EXCEEDINGLY HAPPY (Exceed And Excel x Happy Empress), I/F to WRITTEN TYCOON - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1204: FAST HUSSY(Husson x Fast Fleet), I/F to WANDJINA - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1214: FLASH OF INNOCENCE (LOnhro x Truly Wicked), I/F to VANCOUVER - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1282: INCREDULOUS (Kepp The Faith x Simply Believe), I/F to PRESS STATEMENT - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1300: JIVE (CAN) (Dynaformer x Dance Gaily), I/F to MYBOYCHARLIE - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1309: KALAMATA (Desert Prince x Kirtlington), I/F to HEADWATER - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1312: KEYSBROOK (So Secret x Interlagos), I/F to SO YOU THINK - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1380: MAGICAL MIST (High Chaparral x Fairy Tipsy), I/F to PRIDE OF DUBAI - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1390: MARECHAL (General Nediym x Zalika), I/F to I AM INVINCIBLE - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1399: MELROSE PLACE (Purrealist x Miss Mancini), I/F to WANDJINA - Aquis Happy Farm Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1433: MORE FOR ME (More Than Ready x Langness), I/F to PRIDE OF DUBAI - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1452: NIKI PIKI MILO (NZ) (Librettist x Joiya), I/F to CHOISIR - Aquis Sha Tin Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1460: OCCITAN (Street Cry x Segolene), I/F to HELMET - Aquis Happy Valley Synd/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1464: OMNISICIENT (Exceed And Excel x Omens), I/F to STREET BOSS - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1662: SHAKESPEAREAN LASS (Written Tycoon x Eliza Dream), Not In Foal - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock

Book 2
Lot 1549: PRINCESS CHARM (Casino Prince xLaura's Charm), Not Covered - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock
Lot 1550: PUNTINATO (NZ) (Pins x Cent To Win) Not Covered - Aquis Farm/Blue Sky Bloodstock

Video Wrap Up Of The Sale

For any further information on the fillies and mares secured at the sale or how Blue Sky Bloodstock can help you at the upcoming Natioanl Yearling Sale which commences on June 8, please contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803.

Earthquake’s Sibling Joins Aquis Farm

Aquis Farm yesterday went to $820,000 to secure a three-quarter sister to Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Earthquake (Exceed And Excel) in foal to Medaglia d’Oro (El Prado).

Consigned by Godolphin as Lot 959, the four-year-old Tremor (Commands), a city winner of two races, was a rare chance to secure a mare from a Darley family that rarely becomes available, according to Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland.

A daughter of stakes-placed mare Cataclysm (Marauding), who has had six winners from six foals to race, Tremor is also a sister to Listed winner, the Godolphin-owned Palomares.

Blaxland admitted the $820,000 price tag for Tremor was over budget but said the mare had the attributes to produce high-class commercial yearlings.

“It is impossible to get into a family like this generally and I thought she was a beautiful physical and it is a terrific opportunity for a new stud farm like Aquis to get into a family like hers from Godolphin. Her family has all been bred up,” Blaxland said.

“Aquis obviously sold a lovely Medaglia d’Oro colt in January (at the Magic Millions) for $1,000,000, so they have had success with the sire, and they were happy to go hard to secure a blue chip mare for the farm.”

Blaxland said Tremor could return to Darley shuttler Medaglia d’Oro this season.

After two days, Blue Sky Bloodstock and Aquis Farm are sitting third on leading vendors table by aggregate, having purchased 18 fillies and mares for a spend of $3,723,000 at an average of $206,833.

Blue Sky Bloodstock Secure Six On Day 1

The second top priced lot of the day was Arawata Bloodstock’s Snitzel colt from Cariad who was knocked down for $460,000 to the bid of Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland.

The colt, catalogued as Lot 233, is the fourth foal of Cariad, a winner of five races including a pair of stakes events, the Bright Shadow Handicap and Nudgee Handicap.

“It was a little bit over what I thought we’d have to go to,” Blaxland said. “I thought he was the colt of the sale.”

“He’s by Snitzel who is the incumbent Champion Sire this season and he’s broken the two-year-old winners record.”

“He’s a lovely horse out of a stakes winning mare. We actually purchased the mother Cariad about three weeks ago.”

Day 1 Purchases:

Lot 3: Uncle Mo x Real Attraction filly - Hollbrook Thoroughbreds for $26,000

Lot 150: Deep Field x Zalila filly - Bhima Thoroughbreds for $40,000

Lot 207: Rubick x Blessingindisguisecolt - Newgate Farm for $85,000

Lot 233: Snitzel x Cariad colt - Arawata Bloodstock for $460,000

Lot 244: Proisir x Chicken Little colt - Bhima Thoroughbreds for $18,000

Lot 257: Deep Field x Congenial filly - Newhaven Park for $120,000

For any further information on any of the Blue Sky Bloodstock purchases, please contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803.

Below is a review of Day 1 of the sale - stay tuned for more Blue Sky Bloodstock action.

Impressive Debut Win For Penske

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable delivered Breednet's ‘One to Watch’ on Thursday with a resounding debut victory at Hawkesbury for a son of the former Waterhouse trained Golden Slipper winner Sebring.

Three year-old colt PENSKE was a short-priced favourite for the 1000 metre maiden off the back of an impressive barrier trial victory and after jumping brilliantly from gate one set up a commanding early lead.

Held together in the lead by Brenton Avdulla, Penske turned for home more than three lengths in front and maintained his margin to win in a brisk 56.62 seconds.

Penske (pictured as a yearling below) was a $150,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Gai Waterhouse and Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland from the Yarraman Park draft and was bred by David Bentata.

Penski is the first winner for Princess Natural, a half-sister by Danehill Dancer (IRE) to stakes-winner Zizou from the family of leading sire Not A Single Doubt.

Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to congratulate owners; G1G Racing & Breeding, Mr A Roden, Mr A A Gush, Mr I Pirina, Mr H H Chong, Mr S W Bruhn, Mr A W Bruhn, Mrs D L Nugent, Mrs L J Bruhn, Mr J Chong and Mrs P Pirina on the three length victory.

News from Breednet.

Queensland Next for Star Witness Filly

Astute trainer Clarry Conners has lofty plans for the Blue Sky Bloodstock-purchased two year-old Star Witness filly LEGAL GIRL, who scored a determined win at Wyong on Thursday.

Stepping up in trip to 1600 metres for the first time at her third run back from a spell, Legal Girl settled well just off the pace for Corey Brown and surged to the line to win by a short half head in a competitive finish.

"I really like her, I love this horse," enthused Conners.

"She'll go to Queensland now for the JJ Atkins (1600m, Group I on June 10)."

A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase for Blue Sky Bloodstock from the Segenhoe Stud draft, Legal Girl is the first winner for Listed Tasmanian Oaks winner La Fantastique.

Congrtulations go to the Legal Girl's owners; Yearlings Promote Optimism, Mr M S Sowerby, Mr S Wilson, Adcock Thoroughbred Racing Pty Ltd and Blue Fantasy.

Gibraltar Girl Takes The Prize At Randwick

Gibraltar Girl proved too good in a three-way photo finish in the $100,000 Schweppervescence BenchMark 78 Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on April 22.

Ridden perfectly by Tye Angland, Gibraltar Girl took a sit in the early stages just behind the midfield pack and followed race favourite I Thought So into the race rounding the home turn. Once balanced the filly motored home down the outside to beat Tessera by a short half head and Calabasas a nose away in third in a thrilling finish.

"I was able to get the drag into the straight, peeling off their backs and she was too good. She got tired late but I think that’s just her on this soft-ish track," explained Angland.

The Greg and Donna Kolivos-owned three-year-old daughter of Manhattan Rain has won three from eight starts for $174,335 in prizemoney and is now likely head to the popular Scone Cup Carnival in May for an attempt at stakes victory against her own sex.

Gibraltar Girl was purchased by Blue Sky Bloodstock and Gai Waterhouse Racing from the draft of Arrowfield Stud at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $360,000.

News from Snowden Racing.

Exciting Debut Victory For Blonde Intuition

Featured in a ‘Juvenile Trial Watch’ story last month, this royally bred Redoute’s Choice filly made a winning debut at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Blonde Intuition jumped in front for Tim Clark and was never headed to skip away and win the 1100 metre maiden by a length and a half.

Blonde Intuition was bought for $500,000 at the Magic Millions from the Element Hill draft by Gai and Julian Blaxland.

She runs for a big syndicate of women headed by Louise Gillard and showed enough here to think she can measure up tp better races.

Blonde Intuition is a full sister to stakes-winner Come Hither (dam of stakes-winner Cohesion) and half-sister to stakes-winner Fun In Flight being from stakes-placed Hanky Panky.

More importantly she is a three-quarter sister-in-blood to stakes-winner and leading sire Not a Single Doubt, who is by Redoute’s Choice from her grand-dam Singles Bar.

Blonde Intuition must have been showing good ability for some time as Waterhouse purchased her half-brother by Sebring at Magic Millions this year for $170,000.

It’s a fast family that has also give us the likes of Group 1 winners Snippets, Forensics and Rewaaya, so connections will be hoping for some Black type for this filly before the breeding barn looms.