One to Watch – Scone

Tara Madgwick - Thursday August 12

The provincial meeting run at Scone on Thursday produced a blue-blood three year-old Snitzel winner carrying the Darby Racing colours.

Trained by Gary Portelli, Retiro was up and running early last spring finishing sixth on debut behind Shaquero in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate.

Spelled after that race, Retiro did not reappear until striking a slow track when resuming to finish fifth in a midweek maiden at Randwick won by Brigantine, who goes around in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes this Saturday.

Sent out favourite for the 900m maiden, it proved little more than a barrier trial for the colt as he cruised away to win by more than two lengths.
 


Retiro was a $350,000 Magic Millions purchase for Darby Racing/De Burgh Equine  from the Baramul Stud draft and is a half-brother to Group II placed Palazzo Vecchio.

Dual G2 winner Palacio de Cristal was a star performer for Gerry Harvey - image Steve Hart.

He is the third winner from former top class Group II winning Encosta de Lago mare Palacio de Cristal, a daughter of Group I winner Crystal Palace, the full sister to triple Group I winner Naturalism.

Palacio de Cristal has not had a foal since Retiro, but appears to be in foal to Zoustar.

Retiro is the ninth new season  winner for Snitzel, who stands at Arrowfield this spring at a fee of $165,000.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Australian Bloodstock Mdn 900m

Scone Track: Good(4) Time: 0:51.49
1
Retiro
- 3c Snitzel (AUS) x Palacio De Cristal (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: Ms J Taylor 57
2
2.3
Don't Doubt Katie
- 3f Extreme Choice (AUS) x Katie's Eyes (USA) (Leroidesanimaux (BRZ))
Tnr: Nathan Doyle Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 54
3
2.8
She's Contrary
- 3f Albrecht (AUS) x Beautiful Image (AUS) (Beautiful Crown (USA))
Tnr: B F Cavanough Rdr: Ashley Morgan 55
4
3.7
Song Cycle
- 3g Epaulette (AUS) x Ancient Song (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: A Layt 57
5
3.9
Cupid's Kiss
- 3f Nicconi (AUS) x Romance Writer (NZ) (One Cool Cat (USA))
Tnr: John W Ramsey Rdr: Reece Jones 53
6
5.6
Racemi
- 3g I Am Invincible (AUS) x Hesitation (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: Sam Kavanagh Rdr: A B Collett 57
7
6.9
Shamrock Lass
- 3f Your Song (AUS) x Shamfrancisco (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: S I Singleton Rdr: Ms R Murray 55
8
8.2
Rockbarton Lass
- 3f Nostradamus (AUS) x Corsica's Excuse (AUS) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Tnr: D I Atkins Rdr: A E Denby 55
More Reading...
Stellar Summer Sale Closes out Karaka 2026
The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale.
Third Declarations for G1 Blue Diamond - Who is in the Mix?
Third declarations have been confirmed for next month’s $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), with more than 60 two-year-olds still in the mix for Victoria’s premier juvenile feature.
Team Widden Primed for Inglis Classic
The release of third declarations for the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes next month has Widden Stud’s fairytale colt Unit Five still in the mix after his brilliant win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but next week the focus for Team Widden turns to Inglis Classic.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured four heats that were won by juveniles and two of those winners were by Ole Kirk, while an unraced Home Affairs filly continues to show potential with her second trial win.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 28
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 29
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stars Step Out at Caulfield Trials on Thursday
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) will host a comprehensive morning of official trials at Caulfield Heath on Thursday 29 January, with 15 trials scheduled to commence from 7.30am featuring stars such as Treasurethe Moment and Giga Kick.   
$125,000 Written By Filly at Karaka Summer
Samantha and Francis Finnegan followed a successful pattern when going to $125,000 to purchase a sharp filly by Written By at the Summer Sale at Karaka on Thursday.
Autumn Stars Step Out at Caulfield Trials
Four-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment will be among the star attractions in next month’s $750,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with Mornington trainer Matt Laurie confirming her intended starting point.
Arrowfield Announce Dubawi G1 Winner for 2026
Arrowfield Stud is delighted to announce that Juddmonte’s Group 1-winning miler Lead Artist (Dubawi – Obligate by Frankel) will join the Stud’s 2026 stallion roster under a shuttle arrangement.