Sales Reject Becomes first Australian Stakes Winner for Equiano

Mark Smith - Saturday January 27

There's no denying the former top-class sprinter Equiano (FR) proved a disappointment in his five seasons shuttling to Swettenham Stud, but he looks to have a top-class filly in his fourth crop daughter Lady Horseowner, who could not attract a skerrick of interest from the sales companies as a yearling.

Backing up from her career debut win at Moonee Valley on December 8, the Greg Eurell-trained filly speared between runners under Nikita Berriman to claim Saturday's Group III Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) (1000m) at Caulfield.

This race changer dramatically over the final 100 metres.

Advertisement

Just as it looked as if the heavily backed favourite Pure Elation would cling to her lead at her debut, the daughter of I Am Invincible began to weaken as Lady Horseowner, Crossing The Abbey, Oohood and Downloads were all steaming home.


Lady Horseowner defeated Crossing The Abbey (Helmet) by a neck with the luckless Oohood (I Am Invincible) a long-neck back in third ahead of Downloads (Fastnet Rock) and Pure Elation (I Am Invincible) who was just three-quarters of a length from the winner in fifth and far from disgraced. (photo Grant Courtney );

"She’s not very big so we thought we’d have to try and capitalise on her size and try to get her into the right races,” Eurell said.

"Everything she has done, she has done very professionally all the way through.

"We’ll just let the dust settle a little bit but certainly at this stage, knowing the filly as well as we do, she could go straight into the Diamond and not have another run.

Bred by Lauriston Park with owner Paul King, the pint-sized daughter of Equiano (FR) was a sales reject.

She is the first foal of the Fastnet Rock mare Kid Gloves who was placed twice in Melbourne although retiring a maiden after eight starts.

Four of Kid Gloves' siblings reached the track and none could manage even a single win.

The dam of Kid Gloves, Take Care (Gulch) is another that could not win a race, however, she is a half-sister to the Grade II Peter Pan Stakes winner Best Of Luck out of the Grade II-winning Chief's Crown mare Crowned.

Kid Gloves has a yearling filly and a filly foal by the dual Group 1 winning son of High Chaparral (IRE), Toronado (IRE).

Lady Horseowner becomes the 13th stakes-winner and the first in Australia for dual Group 1 King's Stand Stakes winner Equiano (FR) who shuttled to Swettenham Stud for five seasons (2011-15).

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.
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.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.