Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday October 19

Hampered by injury, illness, and not being the most fertile of stallions, Teofilo (IRE) left six Australian crops ranging from as low as forty-two to a high of sixty-nine.

Despite averaging just 55 live foals per crop, the son of Galileo left an incredible legacy through the likes of Humidor, Happy Clapper, Palentino, Kermadec, and Sonntag.

Two of Teofilo's twenty-three Group 1 winners, Cross Counter (IRE) and Twilight Payment (IRE) earned their Group 1s in the Melbourne Cup.

Teofilo has two of the top chances in Saturday's $5,000,000 Group 1 Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup, Without A Fight and West Wind Blows, while the hope of the locals, Montefilia, is a 4-time Group 1 winning daughter of Teofilo's dual Group 1 winner Kermadec.

Without A Fight cruises to victory in the Q22 (image Grant Courtney)

Without A Fight is trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman after beginning life with Simon and Ed Crisford, trainers of West Wind Blows. He was left with the Freedmans after disappointing behind Gold Trip (FR) in the Melbourne Cup.

The Sheikh Mohammed Obaid homebred won his two starts in a winter campaign, the Group III Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) and Group II The Q22 (2200m), both at Eagle Farm.

He comes to the Caulfield Cup off just one lead-up, a close-up sixth behind Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 23.

The 7-year-old gelding won three European stakes races, including the Group III John Smith's Silver Cup Stakes (14f) at York. He is the best of four winners from five to race for the Group III-winning Dubawi mare Khor Sheed, whose unraced daughter Sharja Princess (Invincible Spirit) is the dam of Grade II John C Mabee Stakes winner Avenue de France (Cityscape).

A half-sister to Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan winner Prince Kirk (Selkirk), Khor Sheed is a granddaughter of Group 1 winner Halo's Princess (Halo), a half-sister to the imported mare Curator (CAN).

Advertisement

A daughter of Assert (IRE), Curator left her mark as the dam of  Group 1 SAJC South Australian Oaks and Group 1 WATC Western Australian Derby winner Voile D'Or (Dieu d'Or); Group 1 STC Mercedes Classic (Tancred Stakes) winner Curata Storm (Dieu d'Or); and Listed Gosford Belle Of The Turf Stakes winner Imperatrix (Strategic), dam of the Listed Canberra Cup winner Court Connection.

Teofilo (image Mark Smith)

Curata Storm's win as a $101 chance in the Mercedes Classic is still a topic of conversation today.

Coming off a maiden win at Hawkesbury at his tenth start, Curata Storm left the likes of Tie The Knot, Hill Of Grace, Freemason, Kaapstad Way, Giovana, Sky Heights, Showella and Second Coming trailing in his wake at Rosehill.

Curata Storm failed to win another race in 20 starts.

Galileo's influence on the Caulfield Cup does not rest solely with Teofilo.

His champion son Frankel has two live chances in the Chris Waller-trained pair Francesco Guardi and Soulcombe, and Nathaniel has the underrated Spirit Ridge.

Galileo himself has the unheralded Joseph O'Brien-trained Okita Soushi and one of O'Brien's former protegees, the first emergency United Nations. 

Galileo (image Mark Smith)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive Super Seth 3YO Bolts in by Five!
Smart three-year-old Street Artist notched his first victory in impressive style when leading throughout to defeat a strong maiden field over 1000m at Mornington on Friday by nearly five lengths.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!
Mitchell McKenzie Colts Showcase
All eyes will be on the $175,000 Listed MVRC Mitchell McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with an intriguing field of nine colts and geldings all vying for that all important first stakes win.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have been running hot into spring and unleashed a talented Wootton Bassett (GB) colt at Wyong on Friday that bolted in to win by nearly five lengths.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Kiwi Melbourne Cup Contender Kicks off at The Valley
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Mark Twain has landed in Melbourne and will commence his path towards the iconic feature at The Valley on Saturday.
Ole Kirk share headlines strong September (Early) Online Sale
A share in - and mares in foal to - reigning Champion First Season Sire Ole Kirk are joined by a bevy of quality racing and breeding stock in the Inglis Digital September (Early) Online Sale, which is now open for bidding.
Justify Mare Wins $250,000 Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes
A big field of 14 mares went around in the $250,000 Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m) at Wyong on Friday and the race produced a thrilling finish with less than two lengths separating  the first eight over the line with Just Feelin’ Lucky taking the prize.
Will Macdonald Joins Astute Bloodstock
Astute Bloodstock is delighted to announce the expansion of our team as we continue to meet increasing client demand and pursue our Group 1 ambitions.