Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday December 16

When the Grand Prix Stakes was launched in 1971, it was off to a flyer with Queensland’s much-loved filly Mode defeating the southerner Planet Kingdom.

A procession of big names followed, including Latin Knight and Asgard. The great Balmerino won the race in 1976, and the following year his niece Surround did the same. That was a golden era for the Grand Prix as Lefroy won in ’78, Double Century in ’79 and Kingston Town in 1980.

Gypsy Goddess (image Sky Racing)

Few would be able to name more than three winners of the race in the last three decades. In 2006 the Grand Prix was downgraded from Group II to Group III.

The 2021 edition at Eagle Farm on Saturday has attracted just seven runners. Between them, they have had 50 starts for 12 wins.

Three of those wins belong to the David Vandyke trained Gypsy Goddess, who puts her undefeated record on the lone in Saturday’s 2100m feature.

Gypsy Goddess comes from the first crop of Tavistock’s Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino.

The Westbury Stud stallion has averaged just over 80 foals in his first three crops. Thirty-eight yearlings from his first crop averaged over $71,000, and 16 from his second crop averaged $50,000.

Despite a modest $20,000 reserve, Gypsy Goddess was one of 13 first crop Tarzinos to leave the ring unsold when consigned by Curraghmore to the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale.

In stepped Dr Chris Lawler, who, along with Vandyke’s good client and friend Bob Jones, purchased a significant share in the daughter of Tarzino.

Unsurprisingly, Tarzino was slow off the mark with just one winner from eight starters at two. That was Jungle Magnate, who won his only start at two at Sandown and has placed in the Group II Moonee Valley Vase and Listed Hill Smith Stakes.

Gypsy Goddess was no instant sensation in the Vandyke barn.

Her trainer initially thought she would be lucky to win a maiden.

Advertisement

It took just one start to achieve that. She broke her maiden over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on October 17 before making it two from two over 1600m on the same track three weeks later.

Gypsy Goddess overcame a troubled run to win over 2000m at Doomben at her most recent start.

Gypsy Goddess failed to make her $20,000 reserve as a yearling at Karaka

She defeated one of her main rivals on Saturday, Pool Pony (Shalaa), by a length and a half and meets her on 1.5kgs better terms.

Gypsy Goddess is the fourth foal and third winner out of the unraced Redoute’s Choice mare, Invisible Coin.

A sister to the Group 1 AJC Flight Stakes winner Cheeky Choice, Invisible Coin was purchased by Qatar Bloodstock for $60,000 from the Teeley Asset Dispersal at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Invisible Coin is out of the Caerleon mare Christchurch, who was imported in utero. Christchurch is a half-sister to the Listed Angst stakes winner and Group 1 NZ Oaks third Danasia (Danehill), the dam of Group 1 Rosehill Guineas winner Zabrasive.

Tarzino

Danasia’s stakes-placed sister is the dam of the Group III Epona Stakes winner Scratchy Bottom (Sebring), who finished third in the Group 1 South Australian Derby.

Christchurch’s dam Lady Of Persia (USA) (Persian Bold) was a three-times Listed stakes-winner in France.

She is a descendant of the Epsom Oaks heroine Meld, the dam of Epsom Derby winner Charlottown (GB), who spent his later years at stud in Australia.

Charlottown (GB) was one of five sons of Meld to stand in Australasia. Lysander (GB), Scarletville (IRE), and Ragotina (GB) stood with varying degrees of success. However, there was only one big daddy, the great Mellay (GB), whose influence is still felt some sixty years later.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Storm Boy Retired to Coolmore Australia
An utterly dominant winner of the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, the hugely exciting son of the international sire sensation Justify is set to join the Coolmore Australia roster in 2025.
Tarzino's Gypsy Goddess a Class Above in Queensland Oaks
Outstanding three-year-old filly Gypsy Goddess left her opponents without an excuse when overcoming the widest barrier to claim Saturday’s $700,000 Group 1 Channel 7 Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Irish Oaks Possible for Royal Ascot Fairytale Filly
The biggest story in terms of our audience reads from Royal Ascot last week was by far and away the one on the Aussie owned underdog three year-old filly Cercene, who captured the Group I Coronation Stakes.
Undefeated Tarzino Filly is an Oaks Prospect
David Vandyke keeps raising the bar for Gypsy Goddess and the three-year-old daughter of Tarzino continues to jump it.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Nice 2YO Winner for Vinery Value Sire
He might be the least expensive sire on the Vinery roster this spring at a fee of just $6,600, but Headwater gets his share of winners and produced a new two year-old winner at Doomben on Wednesday.