International Investors Celebrate Avondale Success

Media Release - Wednesday July 22

Good looking gelding All Black Bourbon made a winning debut at Avondale on Wednesday for trainer Stephen Marsh.

The two-year-old son of Highly Recommended had been placed in all three of his trials and rallied under a strong Danielle Johnson ride to defeat well-bred three-year-old Kurt in an 1100m maiden.

All Black Bourbon - image Trish Dunnell

Purchased for $110,000 as a yearling at the 2019 Karaka Select Sale by Bourbon Lane Stable LLC, the youngster was identified by bloodstock agents Mike McMahon and Jamie Hill on behalf of American investor Dennis Foster who heads the Bourbon Lane partnership.

All Black Bourbon is one of six horses owned by the US partnership in training with Marsh, consisting of four two-year-olds and two yearlings, and the first runner to the races.

“He’s a horse with a bright future,” Marsh said.

“He is a lovely horse. I know he is nearly three, but taking on those older horses first-up, I thought it was a gutsy effort.

“He got knocked over coming out of the gates and Danielle said he got really tightened, but he picked himself up. He did a lot wrong, but I thought he was really good through the line.

“He is a cracking type of horse and his trials have all been good, so the writing was on the wall. We will probably keep him going through for a little bit. He has got a lovely action, but he seems to go through those wetter tracks too and he will definitely get further.

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“I think he will get a mile at short notice and he is a horse that might have a couple more runs and be aimed fairly high in the spring.”

Foster is a former pilot and corporate chief executive and has owned thoroughbred farms in Florida and Kentucky and been involved in the horse business since 1973.

His passion for New Zealand has grown with his daughter Shaune and son-in-law David Blackwell, who was on-course on Wednesday, residing in Auckland.

“They’re big players in New Zealand,” Marsh said. “They love New Zealand racing so it’s great to have them investing here.

“They’re a great team of people. We have a WhatsApp group and I speak to Dennis a lot.

“None of them are any fuss. They pay us to do a job and it has started off in brilliant fashion.” – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Visit The Sunday Markets Mdn 1100m

Avondale Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:08.74
1
All Black Bourbon
- 2g Highly Recommended (AUS) x Airflight (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: D S Johnson 56.5
2
0.2
Kurt
- 3c Kingman (GB) x Miss Olive (IRE) (Rip Van Winkle (IRE))
Tnr: S Autridge & K Shailer Rdr: C J Grylls 59.5
3
2.5
Uncle Terry
- 4g Guillotine (NZ) x Artemesia (NZ) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: W P Hillis Rdr: T L Newman 56.5
4
6.5
Rubyshowoff
- 2f Showcasing (GB) x Cheetie (NZ) (Felix The Cat (USA))
Tnr: N P Bishara Rdr: T D Thornton 55
5
7.0
Snakeye
- 4g Coats Choice (AUS) x Mercury Angel (NZ) (Colombia (NZ))
Tnr: P P Mirabelli Rdr: E H Nicholas 55.5
6
10.3
Zoltan
- 2g Iffraaj (GB) x Ebony Babe (NZ) (Ebony Grosve (NZ))
Tnr: K Rae & K Williams-Tuhoro Rdr: T Yanagida 55.5
7
12.2
Paddy Wagon
- 4m Niagara (AUS) x Parole (NZ) (Towkay (AUS))
Tnr: M B Garrett Rdr: S T Collett 57.5
8
12.8
Little Stevie
- 5m Power (GB) x Cat's Account (USA) (Tale Of The Cat (USA))
Tnr: Ms C Evans Rdr: C M Burdan 55.5
9
13.8
Nitro
- 5g Niagara (AUS) x Lady Of Petersburg (NZ) (San Luis (AUS))
Tnr: Ms D Waddell Rdr: O M Helagi 55.5
10
21.2
Burton
- 5g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Black Razyana (NZ) (Anziyan (USA))
Tnr: M, M L & M F Rogers Rdr: S C Spratt 59.5
11
21.8
Atom Ant
- 4g Zacinto (GB) x Barbara Jennie (NZ) (Bahhare (USA))
Tnr: Ms K McQuade Rdr: M Kareem 56.5
12
31.9
Miss Cinda
- 4m Ekraar (USA) x Chica Mala (NZ) (Danasinga (AUS))
Tnr: M & K Murdoch Rdr: S M Mc Kay 57.5
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