Unusual Suspect Switches to New Zealand

Media Release - Tuesday September 12
An international Group One winner is on his way to the Auret family's thoroughbred operation on the outskirts of Wanganui.

Unusual SuspectThe well-performed Unusual Suspect has been purchased for stud duty at Letham Thoroughbreds, where he will stand at $5000 + GST alongside Montjeu's stakes-winning son Mettre En Jeu.

"We had been keeping an eye out for another horse and one that we could send all our mares to," Nigel Auret said.

"We weren't going to take anything just for the sake of it. We wanted the real deal and we had all but given up when this horse came along.

"We know it's a very late addition, but we are excited by him and better late than never. He's head and shoulders above anything else we looked at."

Unusual Suspect was the winner of the Gr.1 Hollywood Turf Cup and the Gr.3 Hollywood Turf Handicap in his native North America before he was sent to Australia where he continued his career with leading Victorian trainer Mick Kent.

"He said he was sorry he didn't get the horse earlier and he probably had the nicest temperament of any colt he's ever had," Auret said.

Unusual Suspect won the Listed Werribee Cup for Kent, finished third in the Listed Sandown Cup and fourth in the Gr.2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

He was also fourth in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup and although only ninth in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup, he was only four lengths off the winner Dunaden.

"He won seven stakes races and placed in another 10 so he was a very, very good horse," Auret said.

"In his first full season in Queensland he served 80 mares and 60 in his second.

"We're lucky to get a horse of his quality and my wife Adaire, our son Hamish and I own the horse  outright and he will be serving all 15 of our own mares."

Unusual Suspect, who will arrive at Letham later this week, won 10 races from 1200 to 2600 metres.

He is a son of the Nureyev stallion Unusual Heat, the Group One-producing sire of 43 stakes winners, and the New Zealand-bred Crested Wave mare Penpont.

She is also the dam of the Group One winner Golden Doc A and a grand-daughter of the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes winner Black Willow. – NZ Racing Desk.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Exciting Farnan Colt Wins for Mulberry Racing
A standout in the mounting yard on type at Randwick on Saturday, Farnan colt Nashville Jack has also been an eye-catcher at the recent trials in Sydney and he delivered on potential when resuming from a spell with a stylish win.
One to Watch Wins Again in Saturday Class
The half-brother to Group II winner Stretan Angel, lightly raced three year-old Brutal gelding Glorious Moments was in a class of his own at Randwick on Saturday.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Winning Hat-Trick for Gold Standard 2YO
When an unheralded sire produces a Group I winner in their first crop as happened for Sebring stallion Gold Standard it can take a long time for the benefit of that early splash to take effect, but in his case the wait is nearly over and in the meantime Destiny’s Summit is a good reminder as to his merit.
Consecutive Black Type Victories For Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz
Stepping up to open company is always a tough task, but 3yo Snitzel filly Bridal Waltz graduated from a last start Listed win over her own age to win the $200,000 Group 3 MRC Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Hello Youmzain Filly Wins NZ Last Stakes Race of Season
Talented juvenile filly Platinum Diamond made all posts a winner when she captured her second consecutive stakes victory in the last black type feature of the 2024-2025 racing season, the Listed Phils Electrical & Gypsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki.
First SW For So You Think Stallion Tamasa As Cicala Takes Out Lightning
One of just three named foals by the So You Think stallion Tamasa, the Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea trained 3yo filly Cicala remained unbeaten, going three from three by winning the $120,000 Listed SAJC Lightning Stakes (1050m) at Morphettville.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Season Finale Flourish for So You Think
Coolmore stalwart So You Think is powering to the end of the Australian racing season with a six winner flurry on Saturday highlighted by a winning treble at Randwick led by his progressive mare Oh Diamond Lil.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Ole Kirk’s Daughter Ole Dancer
Successful in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on debut back in March, the Peter Moody and Katherine Colemen trained filly Ole Dancer resumed at Sandown on Saturday, winning the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m) to remain unbeaten.