$6000 Broodmare a Star Producer

Media Release - Tuesday December 3

A chance purchase at Karaka has proved to be an outstanding piece of business for Waikato breeders and owners Ross and Corrine Kearney.

While wandering around the complex, a winning daughter of Conatus caught their attention and they followed through to secure Signorina for $6,000 out of Westbury Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Broodmare Sale.

She has proved to be a gem for the couple with Saturday’s Listed Armacup Stakes (1500m) winner Checkmate, who is raced under their Okaharau Station banner, her latest success story.

Checkmate carrying the Okaharau Station colours to victory in Saturday’s Listed Armacup Stakes (1500m) at Ellerslie.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“She’s been fantastic, it was a bit of a spur of the moment job,” Ross Kearney said.

“We didn’t actually go to the sale to look at her but saw her being paraded and thought we like her and got her with a last bid, we had decided that was enough.”

She was in foal to Swiss Ace and the result was Jodelin Gal, who won seven races and placed in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m), and is now in foal to Paddington.

Signorina’s visit to Mongolian Khan then produced Bankers Choice, who won five of his first 10 starts from Stephen Marsh’s stable and culminating in success in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m).

He was subsequently sold to clients of Michael Moroney’s Flemington stable with the Kearneys remaining in the ownership group.

“We’ve still got shares in him and (three-time winner) Grand Impact, Bankers Choice’s next race will be the Ballarat Cup (Listed, 2000m),” he said.

His last win was in the 2022 edition of the race, and he’s also been a multiple stakes placegetter, including a third in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), since relocating across the Tasman.

Advertisement

“He hasn’t been racing very well this spring, but in his last race at Moonee Valley he did look a bit sharper.”

His brother Checkmate has posted consecutive wins following a debut second for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott to attract buyer interest.

“At this stage he is looking good, we had a phone call before the race and they decided not to proceed,” Kearney said.

“He’s coming home for a few days now to have a rest and put his feet up.”

A slot in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) is likely to be the aim for Checkmate, who also has younger half-siblings coming through.

“We’ve got an Ace High two-year-old in training, she’s with Janenne Dalley who generally breaks in our horses,” Kearney said.

“The mare’s also got a Vadamos yearling who was a feisty wee boy, so he was gelded early and he’s still got some spirit.

“She’s got a foal at foot, a filly by Staphanos, and she’ll be going to Turn Me Loose. We’ll only give her one chance because it’s getting quite late.

“The only one who missed was by Time Test (Justadude), it didn’t work out for us and we sold him so hopefully he can go on and win a race somewhere else.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Checkmate Stakes Goal Plans to Be Decided
The future prospects for rising star Checkmate continue to be uncertain for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, after the impressive three-year-old trounced his rivals in the Sunday’s Cloudsoft Accounting 1500 at Ellerslie.
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.
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.
$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.
First Stakes Win for Bankers Choice Brother
The race now known as the Listed Armacup 3YO Stakes (1500m) is becoming a reliable springboard to bigger and better things for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and that trend looks likely to continue after a smart win by Checkmate at Ellerslie on Saturday.
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.
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.
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.