One of our former stars Under Command after winning a One Day Event in Tasmania recently

I am always pleased to see our retired horses being well looked after and got quite a thrill when Leuella Meaburn sent me a photo of Under Command with a blue ribbon around his neck after he won a One Day Event in Tasmania recently.  He was foaled in 2001 and was quite a racehorse winning $335,955 in stakes money with his best performance being 3rd in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.  I saw him a few months ago and he is in terrific shape.

These horses give us terrific pleasure when they are racing and to be able to see them being so well cared for after they leave the track sends a very positive message to the people who oppose our industry.

CHRISTMAS HAS ARRIVED

It certainly is hard to believe Christmas is almost upon us.

On behalf of Maree and my family I would like to wish you and your loved ones all the best for the festive season and let’s hope 2016 brings you plenty of joy.

One of the tough things about being in any business I suppose is that you lose clients and friends as the years go by.  This is certainly the case in our business and our thoughts are with those of you that have lost loved ones this year.  Christmas can be a tough time for people in this situation.

The office is now officially closed until 12/1/16 although information will still be forwarded through on your horse’s progress during the break.  

ON THE TRACK

We have an important week coming up with the abandonment of the Flemington meeting causing only a slight disruption to our plans.  Depending on the weather Maldicion may resume at either Bendigo or Benalla. Savoureux is set to run at Rosehill with this run likely to bring her to her peak.

On Wednesday Makeadane and Reneged head to Warwick Farm with Tye Angland booked to ride.  

On Boxing Day we have Atalanta Miss, Awasita and Husson Eagle likely to run at Royal Randwick and Annaman heading to the Gold Coast.  Bella Venus is set to run at Devonport on 27/12/15.

I will be updating our runners through Mistable during the holiday break.

THE PEOPLE’S CUP

I watched the documentary ‘The People’s Cup’ on Racing.com and I highly recommend it.  The story is about Darren Weir and Michelle Payne and I must say I got a thrill to see Michelle riding Under Command in a race at Flemington over a decade ago about 9 minutes into the documentary.  

Everything about this year’s Melbourne Cup was terrific.  I spoke with Chauncey Morris from Aushorse a couple of years ago and he told me Australians had spent about $70 million in the previous year purchasing international stayers trying to buy a Melbourne Cup winner. As I understand it Prince Of Penzance cost just $60,000 and Darren Weir trained him from day one.  He developed him as a stayer and deserves all the credit for his success.   

I Am Invincible filly out of Belle Amici 2014, Darren Weir to train in Victoria- 10 shares @ $10,500

The filly pictured above is a terrific filly by the outstanding young sire I Am Invincible from the well related Catbird mare Belle Amici.  I have inspected her four times at Yarraman Park since May and was keen to purchase her.  She is a very good type of filly with a good hindquarter, great conformation and an attractive head.

She vetted out without any issues and was reared at Yarraman Park one of Australia’s most well respected boutique nurseries.

The filly is an October foal and will be broken in in February/ March of 2016 with a view to giving her every chance to run as a two year old.  She comes from a very precocious family with Belle Amici’s ½ brother Restless winning as a two year old and being stakes placed as well.  He was placed in six of his seven starts as a two year old and went on to win 10 races including four at Group or stakes level and $578,305 in stakes money.

The first three dams have had 17 to race with 15 individual winners which is exceptional.  To me this looks Belle Amici’s best mating.

I am thrilled to have this filly join our team and look forward to her wearing our colours