SISSTAR followed in SUNLIGHT’s footsteps by winning down the Flemington straight.
It’s such an exciting time of year with plenty happening both on and off the track. We thought we would reflect on some of our highlight moments in a Springtime blog.
During September our stallion SIDESTEP was crowned Champion First Season Sire of Australia at the Thoroughbred Breeders NSW Annual Awards Charity Lunch. It was a great event that gave us the opportunity to catch up with our colleagues at Darley / Godolphin.
We had some fun with Godolphin’s Vin Cox and his team by showing them how seriously we take the responsibility of being the caretaker of such a prestigious award. As you can see in this picture, the seatbelt was securely fastened for the trophy’s flight to Telemon!
That evening we were privileged to have dinner with their team. Listening to James Cummings describe the quality and toughness of Sidestep’s daughter KIAMICHI was incredible. The dream team of 2yos that ran for Godolphin last season was simply staggering, and for her to rise above them all on the day that mattered most, was a monumental feat. And that may be just the start. A large contingent of Godolphin’s elite broodmare band are currently at Telemon visiting SIDESTEP for the breeding season so we will see a lot more of his progeny contesting feature races in the famous royal blue in years to come.
Golden Slipper heroine KIAMICHI by SIDESTEP
Not to be outdone by his decorated barn-mate, our new boy JUNGLE CAT is off to a fantastic start covering a large book in his inaugural Australian breeding season.
We’ve been absolutely thrilled with the response from breeders to this classy multiple Group 1 winner (pictured on his arrival at Telemon in August). Practically everyone that has viewed the horse has followed through with a booking and many have sent multiple mares following their inspection. Anyone that has not viewed our profile on JUNGLE CAT’s ratings should definitely do so.
We’re delighted to report both SIDESTEP and JUNGLE CAT have exhibited exceptional fertility. At this point of the breeding season, their high fertility will ensure both pick up significant support in the latter weeks. For any breeders struggling to get their mares in foal, we strongly recommend both.
Finally, what would Spring be without the Spring Racing Carnival? And we’ve been privileged to have several runners.
SUNLIGHT picked up where she left off in the Autumn running a terrific 3rd at Group 1 level in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley before holding off SANTA ANA LANE to land the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes down the Flemington straight.
Co-owner Robyn Parker and trainer Tony McEvoy collected SUNLIGHT’s ‘Champion 3yo Filly’ award at the Australian Horse of The Year awards night in Hobart in October.
SUNLIGHT’s Everest campaign ended in an uncharacteristic failure. In saying that, we simply can’t be disappointed with this outstanding mare. Everyone is entitled to an off day and knowing her as we do, it will be no surprise whatsoever if she bounces back in this weekend’s inaugural running of $7.5M Golden Eagle.
SUNLIGHT’s little sister SISSTAR has been explosive in her two Spring outings. The ‘pocket rocket’ resumed with a 7 length demolition of her rivals in maiden grade. Stepping up to city class at Flemington in late September, she was once again dominant. Now Tony McEvoy has her set for the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes on Oaks Day at Flemington next week.
On a parallel path is the Danny O’Brien trained ABSOLUTE FLIRT (pictured enjoying a Spring freshen up at Danny O’Brien’s Barwon Heads training complex). This filly was identified as a yearling by Telemon’s owners and she’s been a revelation. A stakes-winning & Group-placed 2yo, ABSOLUTE FLIRT has had a luckless Spring running a gallant 2nd in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (denying connections back-to-back wins following SUNLIGHT’s victory the year prior) and there’s little doubt pilot error cost her the Listed Cap D’Antibes where she only saw daylight late to be a flashing 2nd. This filly is flying and will be competitive wherever she runs.
Finally, we can’t complete this Spring blog without making mention of one of the most exciting young horses we’ve been involved with – his name is RUSSIAN CAMELOT. Telemon’s owners have put together a group of friends to hold share in this colt under the banner ‘Qld Cup Colts’ and to say the group is excited is an understatement! He debuted in early October at Ballarat against Australian 3yos and was dominant as you will read in this report on Racing.com. RUSSIAN CAMELOT will run again on Oaks Day, this time up to Stakes grade over 1800m. His long range target is a little 3yo race in the Winter at Eagle Farm over 2400m at Group 1 level. All we can do is dream!
We hope you enjoyed reading our blog as much as we had experiencing these moments. With breeding season in full swing, we’re optimistic for what the future holds.
If you want to take your breeding results to the next level, please get in touch.