$1.8 Million Filly Rolled on Debut

Tara Madgwick - Friday December 8
Expensive filly Al Naifa ran very well on debut at Moonee Valley on Friday night, but not quite well enough to win with that honour going to the unheralded Greg Eurell trained filly Lady Horseowner.

The Tony McEvoy trained Al Naifa was patiently ridden by Luke Currie and allowed to find her feet early before looming into the contention on the turn.

The half-sister by Redoute's Choice to Group I winner English lengthened stride and set out after the leader Lady Horseowner and looked fleetingly as though she would go straight past, but the other filly was having none of that.

Under strong riding from Nikita Berriman, Lady Horseowner kicked back to win by a short half head on the line.

"She had to do a lot of work early," said Berriman.

"She might be little, but she's so tough."

Greg Eurell was full of praise for his filly.

"She's got the heart of a lion," said Eurell.

"She's always displayed that she was very forward and all she wants to be is a racehorse."

EquianoHer owner breeder Paul King was on hand to watch the win with his wife Carol, for whom the filly is named.

"We offered another filly at Inglis Premier that passed in and I went and saw Greg to see if he'd take her if I kept 50%, which he did and then I thought I'd send him this other little filly as well, so that was how she came into his care," King said.

"She's gone from being broken in to going into work and winning a race in one preparation."

So who is this 'little filly'? Turns out she's by Swettenham Stud's former shuttler Equiano (Fr) and is the first foal of Kid Gloves, a placed Fastnet Rock grand-daughter of US Group II winner Crowned.


Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Sprint Star Crocetti Arrives in Perth
Kiwi Group One-winning sprinter Crocetti has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s A$5 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot Racecourse.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 15
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Who Do You Pick? Star Mares of Tomorrow
In chatting with our guest Jim Clarke this week on our Tara Talks Racing podcast we discussed a topic that will no doubt spark plenty of interest from our audience, if you could have one three year-old filly to take forward and race next season at four, who would it be?
Almanzor Mare Benefits from Maturity
Time was always going to benefit Mehzebeen and the Almanzor mare continues to emphasise that in her five-year-old season.
One to Watch – Kembla
The juvenile maiden at Kembla on Tuesday was an intriguing affair featuring a number of well-bred and very expensive colts on debut, but the winner was a stylish first starter filly by Capitalist that broke 56 seconds for her debut win.
El Vencedor Primed for Hong Kong
It is full steam ahead for the connections of El Vencedor, as the star galloper jets off to Hong Kong on Thursday in preparation for the Gr.1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 27.
Belclare Seeking to Find Best Form Back in Australia
Dual Group One winner Belclare’s return home for a three-race campaign didn’t go to plan earlier this year, and now she is back on the other side of the Tasman to try and get her preparation back on track.
Yes Yes Yes It’s Been a Big Week for Kate Nivison!
This time last week passionate owner breeder Kate Nivison was basking in the success of having bred and sold a $1.7million Extreme Choice colt at Inglis Easter and today she was enjoying a different sort of success as a winning owner at Kembla.
Arrowfield Announce 2025 Fees
In the wake of his third Golden Slipper winner and his career-best yearling sale results, multiple Champion Sire Snitzel heads the 2025 Arrowfield stallion roster at an unchanged fee of $247,500, while Castelvecchio has earned a deserved fee increase.
FBAA Professional Development Day- Food for Thought
The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia’s third Continued Professional Development Day was again held at Randwick Racecourse on Tuesday 8th April 2025 and was hosted by MC Vin Cox.