Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday November 17

Saturday’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes at Sandown gives fans the first chance to see a son of that mighty little warrior Dundeel in battle.

The Team Hawkes-trained Irukandji will carry the Spendthrift Farm colours in a race which roll call of winners includes Pago Pago, Star Affair, Storm Queen, Quezette, Biscay, Vain, Dual Choice, Vivarchi, and Rancher.

Irukandji was purchased for $500,000 out of the Musk Creek Farm draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

That made him the second most expensive yearling from the first crop of Dundeel after the $900,000 colt out of Miss Finland.

Like the champion Pierro, Irukandji was another successful pinhook for Musk Creek Farm, which snapped him up for a not insignificant $240,000 from the Riversdale draft at the National Weanling Sale.

A half-brother to the 3-time winner Deanna Jean, Irukandji is the third foal of the stakes-placed General Nediym mare Cerberus Gal who was a more than useful performer for trainer Garry Kennewell.

Advertisement

She was stakes-placed four times most noticeably when second to Champagne Harmony in the Group II Yallambee Classic (1200m) at Morphettville.

Cerberus Gal is out of Idesa Bay (Civic Hope), a 3-time winner for her trainer/breeder John Zielke, whose dam Western Beauty (Best Western) was a half-sister to the stakes-placed Kaoru Star mare Confidentially.

Bred by the late Tony Freedman, Confidentially became the dam of Danzero, a first crop son of Danehill, who won the 1994 Golden Slipper, setting his sire on the road to fame and fortune, before carving out a successful career at stud in his own right.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.