Red Letter Day for Bon Hoffa

Mark Smith - Saturday September 23

A red-letter day for Bowness Stud's Bon Hoffa with his hugely promising son Don't Give A Damn leading home a 1-2-4 finish for his sire in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill only to be topped by the Ciaron Maher-trained Bons Away who downed the Everest hope Brave Smash (JPN) in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Under a well-timed finished by Linda Meech, Bons Away defeated Brave Smash by a head with the veteran Fast 'N' Rocking two lengths back in third.  (photo Grant Courtney)

Advertisement

It was the fourth consecutive win for the 4yo gelding who was having his first taste at stakes level.


Carrying the same colours as his Group I winning sire, Bons Away advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $140,090. 

"He's a horse with a lot of confidence at the moment and has really got his tail up," Meech said.

"He would have let off a ripping sectional from the 500 to the 200 metres and then got a little bit tired, but he got a break on the second horse and was able to hold him."

"I was on the back of Damian Lane to the turn and was happy to miss the trouble. I think the wind is making it difficult for some horses today, playing with their balance.

"The turn of foot he showed today makes you think he might be able to get away with a nice race over the carnival - he travelled like a good horse all the way and he keeps winning."

Bred by Parador Park Thoroughbreds, Bons Away is the third winner from as many foals out of the Mossman mare Villa Albani who was a $2,000 purchase at the 2012 Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Her dam Vila Valencia is a sister to Maid For Me the dam of dual Group II winner and Group I placed Maid For Me (Sebring) and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Patou the dam of Group I Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express).

Villa Albani has a 2yo Street Boss (USA) filly named Street Icon and a yearling filly by Bon Hoffa. She was covered by Kuroshio last spring.

Bons Away becomes the third stakes winner for Bon Hoffa who stands at Bowness Stud for a fee of $5,500. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Extremely Rewarding
Rosemont Stud based Extreme Warrior is one of three sons of Extreme Choice that have their first two year-old runners this season along with Stay Inside and Tiger of Malay and he featured at Inglis Premier Book 2 on Tuesday when topping the session with a $220,000 colt.
2026 Golden Slipper Order of Entry Updated March 3
Time is on the wing as we head towards the $5million Group I ATC Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21 with two new contenders emerged from the pack to secure their place after winning key lead up races last Saturday while previously unbeaten colts Warwoven and Fireball were underwhelming.
Pinhook Winner a Special Gilgai Farm Success Story
Gilgai Farm finished as the leading vendor at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, but their best result in Book 2 was not one of the blueblood youngsters bred by Rick Jamieson it was a colt by Ilovethiscity that was a pinhook for young Max Skillecorn.
Well Written Not Just Cheered by Yulong
Well Written may carry the colours of thoroughbred industry giant Yulong Investments, but she has an army of other part-owners who will be cheering her home in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie.
Arrowfield Takes up the Baton for Scone Cup
Scone Race Club is proud to announce leading thoroughbred nursery Arrowfield Stud as the new Naming Rights Partner of the Scone Cup, marking a major new chapter for the Club and the Upper Hunter racing community.
$750,000 Too Darn Hot Colt Tops Inglis Premier Book 1 Finale
An extraordinary day for leading Victorian nursery Gilgai Farm capped off a Premier Sale Book 1 for the ages, which ended with significant increases in all key fiscal metrics.
Tara Talks Racing - Golden Slipper New Contenders
We're talking 2YO's and trying to make sense of the Golden Slipper picture with a couple of new contenders emerging last Saturday, are they bred to do the job?
Can Well Written Be Rolled in $4million The Kiwi?
David Archer has participated in more than enough of racing’s big dances to know that on a racetrack nothing can be taken for granted or predicted with absolute accuracy.
Inglis Premier Escalates with Incredible Momentum
The 2026 Premier Yearling Sale today concluded with strong Book 2 trade, wrapping up a memorable week of action at Oaklands with the top price on Tuesday shared at $220,000 by colts sired by Zousain and Extreme Warrior.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday March 3
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.