First Win for Merchant Navy Brother

Tara Madgwick - Thursday December 31

He cost $2.3million at the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and Merchant Navy’s little brother Setanta cast off maiden status at Warrnambool on New Year’s Eve.

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Setanta wins in a breeze at Warrnambool - image Alice Miles / Racing Photos

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Setanta placed once in three previous starts earlier this year in New South Wales, but seemed much more committed to the cause when resuming from a lengthy spell.

He struck a big field of 14 runners in the 1400m maiden and dominated at the finish, forging clear to win by three lengths in a dominant display.
 


A big powerful colt that has needed time to mature, Setanta was bought by Aquis from the Segenhoe draft and runs in the Aquis colours for a syndicate of owners.

He is a full brother to dual Group I winner and exciting young sire Merchant Navy as well as Group II winner Jolie Bay and is the seventh winner from nine foals to race from Group II winning Snippets mare Legally Bay, who died in 2019.

The first yearlings by Merchant Navy are tipped to star at upcoming yearling sales in 2021 starting with the Magic Millions at the Gold Coast where he has 25 youngsters catalogued.




 

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Race Result - M Lucas Accounting Vale Mdn 1400m

Warrnambool Track: Good(4) Time: 1:24.34
1
Setanta
- 3c Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Legally Bay (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: John Allen 58
2
3.0
Wine O'Clock
- 4g Roc De Cambes (NZ) x Show Up (NZ) (Show A Heart (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 59.5
3
3.8
Robyn's Folly
- 4m Hurdy Gurdy Man (AUS) x Shiny And New (AUS) (Foreplay (AUS))
Tnr: Daniel Bowman Rdr: Jordan Childs 57.5
4
3.9
Handshake
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Fast Gal (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: Dean Holland 58
5
4.0
Sidewalk Sinner
- 3f Street Boss (USA) x Evening Glitter (AUS) (Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE))
Tnr: Daniel Bowman Rdr: Melissa Julius 56
6
5.8
Hailey's Diva
- 4m Swiss Ace (AUS) x Diamond Hailey (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: Jamie Edwards Rdr: D Moor 57.5
7
6.1
Anewdaydawning
- 4g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Clothilde (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: M A Townsend Rdr: Lewis German 59.5
8
6.6
Ask Isla
- 4m Von Costa De Hero (AUS) x Feel Like Dancing (AUS) (Jeune (GB))
Tnr: Q J Scott Rdr: Laura Lafferty 56
9
6.8
Fightingforjustice
- 3g Fighting Sun (AUS) x Perilous Princess (AUS) (Dangerous (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: J Lorensini 58
9
6.8
Tintreach
- 5g Kaphero (AUS) x Lightning Lassie (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: S R Fisher Rdr: Jack Hill 59.5
11
7.2
Bondi Beau
- 3g Brazen Beau (AUS) x Bondi Girl (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Yendall 58
12
8.2
All Ova Nova
- 4g Nova Sofala (AUS) x Carramaena (AUS) (Damascus Storm (USA))
Tnr: Ms J Smith Rdr: C Newitt 59.5
13
9.2
Miss Construed
- 3f Magnus (AUS) x Miss Diagnosis (IRE) (Medicean (GB))
Tnr: L Smith Rdr: Declan Bates 56
14
11.4
Shultzy
- 3g Helmet (AUS) x Princess Hussey (AUS) (Husson (ARG))
Tnr: Pat Cannon Rdr: Michael Poy 58
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