Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday April 28

With Rosemont Stud relying on the impressive Justify (USA) filly Legacies in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, it has freed up Rosemont’s Starspangledbanner filly Treasurway to claim a long overdue win in the Group III Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.

Trained by Jason Warren, Treasurway has finished third in her five starts. The last three have come in black-type races, and she was luckless in the previous two,  the Group III TBV Thoroughbred Breeders at Flemington and the $1,000,000 The Showdown at Sandown.

The Group III Breeders’ Stakes has a rich heritage, but it is doubtful it will see a return to the glory days of the 1960s.

Pago Pago won the feature in 1963, his sister Lady Pompilia in ‘64, Tobin Bronze in ‘65, Storm Queen in ’66, and Manihi in ’67.

Still, it carries the all-important Group status and would provide a welcome return home to Coolmore’s prodigal son Starspangledbanner.

Starspangledbanner returns to Coolmore this spring (image Mark Smith)

It is incredible to the extent Starspangledbanner has outperformed in the northern hemisphere. All six of his Group 1 winners were conceived in Ireland. To rub it in, some of those Irish-breds have performed at the highest level in Australia.

Advertisement

Newgate Farm’s State Of Rest (IRE) defeated Animoe and Verry Elleegant in the WS Cox Plate, adding Australia to his list of conquests that saw him win at the highest level in England, America, and France.

Starspangledbanner’s son Home Of The Brave (IRE) towelled up D’Argento, and Trapeze Artist in the Group II Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill and California Spangle (IRE) has cemented his place among the elite in Hong Kong.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen rescued the stud career of Starspangledbanner, so he deserves to reap the rewards.

Treasurway makes up plenty of ground from last behind the impressive Shesallshenanigans in The Showdown

 

Treasurway is a pure Rosemont product - the first foal of the Rosemont Stud bred and raced  Miss Toorak Flyer, a daughter of the then-resident stallion Toorak Toff. She was a more than handy mare for Jason Warren, winning four and placing in six of her 14 starts.

Miss Toorak Flyer is out of an unraced half-sister to Secret Flyer, who carried Rosemont Stud’s red, white gatecrasher silks with distinction, earning Listed wins in the MRC Sir John Monash Stakes and VRC Kensington Stakes.

Emirates Park Stud nurtured this family after importing the Roberto mare Luv Luiana (USA).

A half-sister to Preakness stakes and Belmont Stakes hero Little Current, Luv Luiana (USA) is the dam of Group III Emancipation Stakes winner Almazyoon (Danehill), in turn, the dam of Group III winner Al Maze (El Moxie).

Luv Luiana’s dam Luiana (My Babu) is an unraced half-sister to the 1963 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Chateaugay (Swaps), and the American champion handicap female of 1962, Primonetta (Swaps), who was honoured as the Kentucky Broodmare of the Year in 1978.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yes Yes Yes It’s Been a Big Week for Kate Nivison!
This time last week passionate owner breeder Kate Nivison was basking in the success of having bred and sold a $1.7million Extreme Choice colt at Inglis Easter and today she was enjoying a different sort of success as a winning owner at Kembla.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Starspangledbanner 2YO Treasurway Sparkles in Breeders Stakes
Two two-year-old stakes-winning fillies at Sandown and Morphettville in a matter of minutes made it a day to remember for Anthony Mithen and the Rosemont Stud team.
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.