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...
A Century of National Yearling Sales Success: Melbourne Cup
There are many great events and coveted prizes on the Australian racing calendar, but no others capture attention quite like the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
2YOs on Show - Flemington Sale Mail
Cup Day at Flemingto will kick off with the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) which has attracted a big field of juveniles including some unraced blueblood homebred babies for Godolphin and Yulong as well as the highest priced yearling by first crop sire Pinatubo (IRE).
A Wet Melbourne Cup Has a Certain Kind of Magic
Wet Melbourne Cups have a different character, and are often memorable... and we might just see one on Tuesday! 
Sire Table Shake Up – Carnival Stars Bring Change
The $10million Golden Eagle and the first day of the Flemington Carnival delivered some big changes to our sire tables as we power through the spring.
White Robe Lodge to Cheer Smokin' Romans
Group One winner Smokin’ Romans will aim to extend his breeder Brian Anderton’s successful run in the Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) when he takes his place in the iconic Flemington feature on Tuesday afternoon.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Melbourne Cup
The greatest day in Australian racing, nay in Australian sport is upon us - Cup Eve is better than Christmas Eve!
Sires With Winners - Monday November 3
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Tara Talks Racing - Melbourne Cup Tips
If you are a racing tragic and horse lover like Clocker and I, Melbourne Cup Eve is as good as it gets, so have a listen to our thoughts and you can put the pen through our very dodgy tips or add them to your multiples!
DIY Pedigrees for Melbourne Cup – Take the Tip!
If you are having trouble settling on your Melbourne Cup horses a look at pedigree might be a help, so take a flick through our five generation pedigrees for all Cup runners and we’re giving you a clue as to what to look for!
G1 Breeders Cup Winner for Almanzor
Cambridge Stud’s Almanzor (FR) has been firing in the Northern Hemisphere this year and one of his star performers has been French Oaks winner Gezora, who raised the bar again at Del Mar on Sunday when taking out the Group I Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare (1m3f).