Shalaa Colt Semillion all Courage in Kindergarten

Mark Smith - Saturday April 2

The royally bred Shalaa (IRE) colt Semillion kick-started day one of The Championships at Randwick with a tremendously brave performance in the Widden Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).

Semillion refuses to be beaten (image Steve Hart)

With Willie Pike in the saddle for Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, Semillion took up the early running, although a fired up first starter Asteria made sure he wasn’t gifted an uncontested lead.

Allowed to drift out to the centre of the track in the straight, Semillion looked beaten several times but kept rallying. He was going as well as anything on the line in defeating the Not a Single Doubt colt Voldemort by a short-neck with the Exosphere colt Spacewalk the same distance back in third.

Carrying the colours of Neil Werrett with a number of the Black Caviar connection involved, Semillion made a winning career debut in the $400,000 Inglis Banner at Moonee Valley before separating Lofty Strike and Daumier in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude.

At his most recent start, the son of Shalaa (IRE) finished less than two lengths from Daumier when fifth in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Michael Hawkes said Semillion displayed great courage.

“Willie got him into a nice rhythm. The other horse on the outside just probably annoyed him a little bit, but to Willie’s credit he just let him handle it strong. The part I loved he just dug deep when those horses came at him again,” Hawkes said.

“His first-up run in Melbourne when he won on Cox Plate day was outstanding, and to be fair, had he drawn a barrier in the Blue Diamond, we probably thought he could have won.

Advertisement

Shalaa

“To come up here and frank the form from Melbourne. He’s just a beautiful colt, a great ownership group; we love making colts and have made another one.

“He’s still learning and he’s going to be a better horse next preparation; he’s going to be bigger and more mature and stronger. “We were really worried about the heavy track, but he’s got through that well and that’s all that matters”

Bred by Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, Semillion was purchased by International Thoroughbred Solutions (FBAA) for $300,000 out of the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

Semillion a $300,000 Inglis Premier yearling

He is the best of two winners from as many to race out of the Bel Esprit mare Sistonic, a sister to stakes-winner Iconic and a three-quarter sister to the immortal Black Caviar and to the dam of Caulfield Guineas and Golden Rose winner Ole Kirk. (learm more about the breeding of Semillion here)

After missing in 2019, Sistonic foaled a Blue Point (IRE) last August and was covered by Capitalist.

Arrowfield Stud’s Shalaa (IRE) has three lots on offer at the Easter Yearling Sale.

Advertisment

Race Result - Widden Kindergarten Stks Gr3 1100m

Randwick Track: Heavy(9) Time: 1:07.40
1
Semillion
- 2c Shalaa (IRE) x Sistonic (AUS) (Bel Esprit (AUS))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: W Pike 56.5
Shalaa
2
0.2
Voldemort
- 2c Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Devious Maid (AUS) (Sebring (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56.5
3
0.4
Spacewalk
- 2c Exosphere (AUS) x Benenden (AUS) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Bowman 56.5
4
2.5
Nominator
- 2g Zoustar (AUS) x Designated Driver (NZ) (Danroad (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Avdulla 56.5
5
2.9
Bandi's Boy
- 2g The Brothers War (USA) x Tibidabo (AUS) (Hinchinbrook (AUS))
Tnr: D A Williams Rdr: M A Cahill 56.5
6
5.0
Calgary Stampede
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Nayeli (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Tommy Berry 56.5
7
5.6
Insurrection
- 2c Russian Revolution (AUS) x Marple Miss (AUS) (Not A Single Doubt (AUS))
Tnr: R & M Freedman Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
8
8.5
Kai Tak
- 2f Snitzel (AUS) x Subsequent (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Craig Williams 54.5
9
10.3
Ginger's Gal
- 2f Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Cerberus Gal (AUS) (General Nediym (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Damian Lane 54.5
10
10.6
Asteria
- 2f Capitalist (AUS) x Athena Lass (AUS) (Snitzel (AUS))
Tnr: Mark Newnham Rdr: Rachel King 54.5
11
16.4
Charlie Foxtrot
- 2c Written Tycoon (AUS) x Racy (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Kacy Fogden Rdr: J Parr 56.5
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 10
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Ole Kirk 3yo Regal Award Simply Too Good
Improving off a last start fifth behind Space Rider over 1200m at Moonee Valley, the Phillip Stokes trained Regal Award didn’t disappoint as the race favourite in Sportsbet BlackBook Plate (1300m) on the Sandown Hillside course on Wednesday, scoring with ease.
Semillion Breaks a Two-Year drought in Takeover Target Stakes
After racing with little luck, the stars aligned for the 4-year-old Shalaa (IRE) gelding Semillion in Saturday’s $250,000 Listed De Bortoli Wines Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Newcastle.
Shalaa Colt Makes Winning Debut in Inglis Banner
Shalaa (IRE) sure can get an early runner, and he has another one in Semillion who made a winning career debut in Saturday’s $400,000 Inglis Banner (RL) at Moonee Valley.
Break Through Win for Promising Pierro Stayer
Placed in the Group I New Zealand Derby behind Willydoit, talented young stayer Golden Century has been long overdue to break through for a maiden win and he got the job done at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale-Topper Salutes
Bought by Yulong for $700,000 to top the Magic Millions Horses in Training Sale last year, three year-old Justify (USA) colt Officiate opened his account with a determined win in testing conditions at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Yulong Double With Justify and Waller
The Yulong colours were in the winner’s circle at Canterbury on Wednesday carried by a pair of promising horses by Triple Crown hero Justify (USA) with a maiden win for three year-old colt Officiate followed by a super impressive return for lightly raced four year-old mare Mergeila.
Zoustar Mare Joliestar Confirmed for Everest
Chris Waller Racing have today confirmed their slot for this year’s $20million Everest will be filled by five year-old Zoustar mare Joliestar, who is set to resume in the Group II ATC Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill this Saturday.
Balaklava Cup Victory For Puissance de Lune’s Inform Sav On Ice
Starting well in the market off the back of his solid recent form, the Darryl Carrison trained Sav On Ice was contesting his first black type race, and took home the prize, winning the Listed SAJC Balaklava Cup (1600m) on Wednesday.
$600,000 Ole Kirk Share Tops Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale
Shares in leading young stallions Ole Kirk and Southport Tycoon dominated bidding in today’s Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, finishing as the two highest-priced lots.