Armidale make a splash at Hobart

Media Release - Monday January 23

Celebrations were afoot during Hobart's Sunday meeting, with Armidale-affiliated horses taking out four of the feature races.

Two-year-old Needs Further filly Needs Sugar (ex Galeocerdo) kicked off the day with a barnstorming three-length victory in the Listed Elwick Stakes (1100m).

Needs Sugar is a new SW for Needs Further - image Claire Pettit

Her wins comes as a timely reminder of how dominant Needs Further's progeny have been in this race.

"He [Needs Further] never ceases to amaze us," said Armidale's Rhiannon Whishaw.

"From seven racing crops, his two-year-olds have now won this race four times. Needs Sugar's win was pretty special to us, as she was born and raised at Armidale, bred by a great supporter of ours Tyson Barwick and trained by our good friend Stuart Gandy."

The Whishaws barely had time to draw breath with Needs Further's daughter Just A Needs (ex Paddy's Jubilee) following up with a win in the Thousand Guineas (1600m).

"She was ultra-impressive last start, winning by three lengths and is a great example of the high-class fillies that Needs Further is capable of siring."

"His stakes-winning daughters Pateena Arena and Mystical Pursuit have won this race, so we look forward to hopefully watching Just A Needs follow in their footsteps," said Rhiannon.

Queenborough Flyer - image Claire Pettit

Alpine Eagle mare Queenborough Flyer (ex Silandro) reminded punters of how good she is with a victory in the Lady Lynette (1100m).

"She has developed into a powerful sprinter and has been such a consistent race filly and mare. She's won four from seven starts, including three this prep and on her day, she just does it so easily," said Rhiannon.

Advertisement

Rounding out the day was Armidale's homebred hero Swoop Dog. The consistent gelding flashed home in the Armidale silks to record a 1.3-length victory in the WFA Summer Cup (2200m). 

Swoop Dog - image Claire Pettit

It was his third consecutive win, seventh career victory and the talented cups horse has now banked over $384,000 in prizemoney.

In a turn of fate, he was passed in at the 2019 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale but the Whishaw's high opinion of him landed him a spot in their racing team. 

"We loved him as a yearling and weren't prepared to give him away," said Rhiannon.

"He has been such a star for us, winning the Tasmanian and Launceston Guineas and has really come into his own as an older horse."

"We're so proud of him and he's a great example of the calibre of racehorses that we pride ourselves on breeding here at Armidale."

Armidale will offer 27 yearlings at the upcoming Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale on Feb 20.

News from Armidale Stud

Advertisment
More Reading...
New Juvenile Stakes-Winner Wootton Bassett
A two year-old Wootton Bassett  colt bred to stay, Daytona made it two wins as many starts when scoring a dominant win in the Listed Pat Smullen Stakes (1m) at Naas in Ireland overnight.
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Dubawi Colt from $US8million Mare Wins G1 Coral Eclipse for Coolmore
Blueblood Dubawi colt Delacroix was a beaten favourite in the Group I Epsom Derby when unplaced behind his stablemate Lambourn, but he found his time to shine overnight when scoring a miraculous last to first win in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 7
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.