Bittersweet Oaks Success for Cambridge Stud

Media Release - Tuesday May 5

It was an emotional day on Saturday for the team at Cambridge Stud.

The prestigious thoroughbred nursery went through a tumultuous few months last year when losing three stallions, including flagbearer Tavistock, but they had something to cheer about on the weekend when celebrating his first Oaks winner.

His daughter Toffee Tongue went close when finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m), but she was not to be outdone on Saturday when taking the inside alley down the straight to run away to a 0.8 length victory in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).

While it was Tavistock’s first Oaks victory, success in Classic races is not new to the ill-fated stallion.

Tavistock - image Trish Dunnell  He has sired three Derby winners – Tarzino (Gr.1 Victoria Derby, 2500m), Tavago (Gr.1 Australian Derby, 2400m), and Toffee Tongue’s full-brother Werther (Hong Kong Derby, 2000m).

He has also come close a number of times in an Oaks, with the previous placings of Harlow Gold (Gr.1 VRC Oaks, 2500m), Imperial Lass (Gr.1 Queensland Oaks, 2400m), and Toffee Tongue’s full-sister Milseain (Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks, 2400m).

“For him to get an Oaks winner was particularly satisfying because he has been close a number of times before,” Cambridge Stud’s Head of Sales and Nominations Scott Calder said.

Calder highlighted there could be plenty to look forward to with Toffee Tongue given her family’s tendency to get better with age.

“You only have to look at her pedigree to see what the potential upside is with her with Werther and the like,” he said.

“She is in the right stable with Chris Waller. It (Oaks win) is definitely a highlight but certainly one you would hope that she can go on and be better in the future.”

The victory was made even sweeter for Cambridge Stud with Toffee Tongue having been bred by the group who raced Tavistock, including trainer Andrew Campbell and Real Estate mogul Tommy Heptinstall.

Advertisement

“It was a bittersweet result,” Calder said. “On the one hand he is no longer with us, but on the flipside it was a fitting result with Toffee Tongue being out of Bagalollies and the personal connections with her.

“Bagalollies has been a big part of putting Tavistock on the map with what she has produced.

“To put Tavistock back up in lights, I was glad it was her because there are a lot of parallels between her and those who raced Tavistock.”

While Cambridge Stud lost Tavistock last year, Calder said the farm can continue to look forward to watching his last few crops compete on the track.

“His stud season was obviously cut short but he did breed to a number of mares (76) to give him a little bit of a last crop,” he said.

“He has got big numbers coming through and for us it was a case of believing he would really kick back with his better bred crops.

“In the next 12 months you are going to have those $65,000 stud fee foals turning three and that’s when you would like to see that momentum building.

“I certainly don’t think it will be the last race we have got to celebrate and hopefully in the coming seasons he will continue to remind us of what a loss he was.” – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
Kiwi Innovator Recognized
Emma Thompson was stepping into the unknown when taking on the role as Programme Lead for the NZB Kiwi, and after executing an outstanding inaugural running in March, she was recognised at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards.
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Vale, Joe Yorke
The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.