A Tragic Loss for Arrowfield

Mark Smith - Wednesday February 14

Arrowfield Stud's talented blueblood Miracle Of Love died of a suspected heart attack during a barrier trial at Scone on Wednesday.

Trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, the 3-year-old daughter of Dundeel and Miss Finland started three times.

A third on debut in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone last May, Miracle Of Love broke her maiden a fortnight later at Doomben.

Advertisement

Solidly backed in the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 10, Miracle Of Love clocked in second behind King Colorado and has not started since.

A distraught John Messara told Racenet it took some time to process the tragic news.

"Paul rang, it was the call I'd been waiting for, and I thought he was going to tell me how well the filly trialled,'' Messara told Racenet.

"But when he told me what happened, I said: 'You are pulling my leg'. I couldn't believe it.

"I feel so sorry for Paul; he has put so much work into this filly. She was an outstanding filly; we thought she had Group 1 potential.

"We couldn't wait to get her back to the races, and then this happened. This game is a great leveller.''

Miracle Of Love is a half-sister to Group 1 MRC One Thousand Guineas heroine Stay With Me (Street Cry), the dam of dual Listed stakes-winner Waltz On By (I Am Invincible).

The 5-time Group 1 winner, Miss Finland, has a 2-year-old colt by Castelvecchio named Castel Nuovo in the stable of Richard Litt. Ottavio Galletta had purchased him for $280,000 from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Miss Finland's final foal is a yearling sister to Miracle Of Love.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Best On Breeding
Saturday's JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm is the final Group 1 for juveniles, and Dundeel has two solid chances to add to a career-best season with his two-year-olds.
Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes on the Radar for Miracle Of Love
Trainer Paul Messara is hoping his blueblooded Dundeel x Miss Finland filly Miracle Of Love has done enough to earn a spot in the $1,000,000  Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 10 after breaking her maiden over 1350m at Doomben on Wednesday.
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.
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.
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).
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.