The Listed Wagga Cup win for Wicklow (IRE) last Friday gave cause for celebration in a number of camps and not just for his primary part owner Richard Pegum, who also shares in the ownership of his younger half-brother County Kilkenny (IRE), an impressive maiden winner in the first event at Wagga on the same day.
Click here to read about Wicklow, who claimed his first Black Type win in the Wagga Cup.
Trained by Tim Donnelly, County Kilkenny was having his second start in the 1200m maiden and the talented son of Danehill Dancer stallion Fast Company bolted in to win by three lengths.
Purchased from the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale for 60,000 guineas by Lillingston Bloodstock, County Kilkenny is the fourth foal from German bred Wake Up and is her third winner in Australia joining new stakes-winner Wicklow and the very smart Group II placed colt Waterford, with that talented duo both trained by Chris Waller.
An astute owner breeder that has enjoyed Group I success over the years, Richard Pegum was obviously impressed with Wicklow and County Kilkenny as he has acquired their dam Wake Up, who is now in Australia.
A two time winner at 2300m, Wake Up is a half-sister by Soldier of Fortune (Galileo) to two European stakes-winners and is a grand-daughter of Champion German 2YO Filly Wild Romance from a family packed with Black Type.
Wake Up arrived in Australia in foal to Lope de Vega and produced a filly by the star son of Shamardal last spring and is now in foal to Maurice (Jpn).
Wake Up had another filly back in Ireland by Awtaad making her a full sister to Waterford and she too is now in Australia having been sourced privately by Jason Abrahams of Champion Thoroughbreds.
A year younger than County Kilkenny, she has been named Wexford Miss (IRE) and is being trained by John O’Shea.
With Wicklow now a stakes-winner, Waterford Group placed, County Kilkenny an impressive maiden and Wake Up living her best life in Australia and getting every opportunity for further stud success, the progress of Wexford Miss will be the subject of much interest!
