On the eve of celebrating the defence of his Champion Sire title, I Am Invincible will field six of the twelve runners in the ATC Thank You Trainers Hcp at Randwick on Saturday, which provides an excellent snapshot of the quality of mares he attracts.
The fillies Shaken, out of Blue Diamond heroine Earthquake, and Estriella, out of Pierro's sister Madrigals, run here in preference to Moone Valley.
The topweight, Infatuation, a daughter of the talented racemare Sweet Kiss, appears for the first time since an excellent fourth in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic. She has a decision over the Little Pumper at Randwick and narrowly failed to hold off Barber in the $1million Golden Gift.
The $1million colt Caballus races for a bevvy of industry heavy hitters and will be out to avenge a luckless debut at Canterbury.
The $1.1million filly Sounds Of Heaven made a winning debut at Newcastle for Fairway Thoroughbreds. Her dam Villa Carlotta Street Cry (IRE) is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner, In Italian (Dubawi).
The 550,000 filly Untouchable Legend resumes after showing ability at her first two starts. The Bon Ho colourbearer is the second foal of the Grou[p 1-placed Savabeel mare Endean Rose.
We will put our faith in the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Estriella.
A $750,000 purchase for Ciaron Maher Bloodstock on behalf of Kevin & Vikki Payne, when consigned by Arrowfield Stud to the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Estriella made a winning debut over 1100m at Gosford on June 22.
She defeated the $650,000 I Am Invincible filly Sicilian, which won her following start at Randwick.
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock, Estriella is the first winner for Madrigals, which was a $420,000 purchase for Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock from the Godolphin consignment at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.
The daughter of Lonhro made one start, beating one of the eleven runners home in a Newcastle maiden.
For her new connections, Madrigals was on a plane to Japan for a date with Deep Impact (JPN).
The result was the filly Polyphonic who placed in three of her five stats for Anthony and Sam Freedman before deciding that her value was in the breeding shed. She visited Maurice (JPN) last spring.
The second foal of Madrigals, Ever Blessing (Snitzel), was exported to Hong Kong and then Estriella.
At the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Bruce Perry shelled out $280,000 for Madrigals’ Snitzel filly.
Not served in 2021, Madrigals visited The Autumn Sun last spring. Her brother, the 5-time Group 1 winning brother Pierro, rates among the best racehorses of recent times and is now a leading stallion for Coolmore.
Their half-sister Ambience (Street Cry) won the Group II Wakeful Stakes, was runner-up in the Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks, Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and was third in the Group 1 VRC Victorian Oaks.
Estriella's granddam, Miss Right Note (IRE) (Daylami), won in France and Australia. Her half-brother Laverock, a three-quarter brother to Pierro and Madrigal, was by some way the best that Ocatonal sired in his short stint shuttling to Europe.
Honoured as the Champion Older Horse in Italy in 2006, Laverock was a 5-time winner highlighted by the Group 1 Longchamp Prix d'Ispahan, and Group 1 Milan Gran Premio Jockey Club Italiano.
