Bourbon Empress a Great Result for Highline Thoroughbreds

Media Release - Thursday January 2

The emergence of Bourbon Empress has gone a long way toward confirming a future plan for Highline Thoroughbreds.

The Stephen Marsh-trained daughter of Proisir was bred by Cam and Eva Heron’s Cambridge operation and her victory in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mie (1600m) has all but decided the way forward for the mare’s dam Amiga Mia.

Bourbon Empress winning the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mie (1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year's Day.   Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

“She’s got an Ardrossan colt at foot and we’ve left her empty this year and thought we’d wait and see what happens with Sulabella, who has won five, and her sister Bourbon Empress,” Cam Heron said.

“We thought if either one of those could get black type, which Bourbon Empress has now, then then the mare would go back on an early cover next year to Proisir.”

Bourbon Empress was purchased by Marsh out of Highline’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $80,000 and she’s now won four of her 10 starts.

“Stephen and his team have done a great job with her over the last couple of years,” Heron said.

“They have been patient with her and are reaping the rewards now.”

Bourbon Empress’ dam Amiga Mia is a daughter of Conatus and the Encosta De Lago mare Amistosa, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) winner Saint Minerva.

“We bought her at Karaka at the old May Sale, she was an ex-Westbury mare and we got her for $500, it was a good buy and you win some occasionally,” Heron said.

Advertisement

“She was in foal to Cecconi and then we left her empty for a couple of years. At that stage, Proisir had arrived in New Zealand, so we sent her to him and the result was Pimlico.

“He was a good horse, he was third in a Group Two at Te Rapa (Waikato Guineas, 2000m) and got sold to Hong Kong.”

Highline is hoping its breeding success can be followed up in the auction ring with a strong draft headed to the upcoming National Yearling Sale at Karaka.

“We’re on the Proisir train and we’ve got a colt out of Tuppence (Lot 373) and a couple of big shot fillies,” Heron said.

The son of the champion stallion is from the family of the late, great O’Reilly and the multiple Group One winner and another successful sire in Ocean Park.

The first of Highline’s Proisir fillies through the ring will be Lot 113, a half-sister to the Gr.3 The Gong (1600m) and Listed Big Dance (1600m) winner Gringotts, while Lot 440 is a sister to the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) winner Dark Destroyer.

“We’ve got a good variety of other stallions with a really nice Too Darn Hot filly (Lot 88) and a Prague filly (Lot 213),” Heron said.

We’ve also got top colts by Anders (Lot 303) and Tassort (Lot 1), they are both nice, strong types so we’re really happy with the draft we’ll be taking.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets New Record at Inglis Weanling Sale
A new record price for the Australian Weanling Sale was set at Riverside today when a Stay Inside x Sheidel filly offered by Noorilim Park sold for $650,000.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
Sires With Winners - Monday May 5
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
A busy set of trials at Randwick this morning saw Group I winning stallion Schwarz win a heat in good style in preparation for a Queensland trip, while on the juvenile front there were also a couple of carnival aspirants.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.
Cambridge Stud Welcome Hello Youmzain First NZ bred SW
Lucy In The Sky delivered a memorable result on multiple fronts with her historic success at Riccarton.
$650,000 Stay Inside Filly Sets Inglis Weanling Sale Alight
The first session of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale on Monday produced a new overall record price for this sale when a filly by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside sold for $650,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
100th National Yearling Sale to Debut New Format
Karaka 2026 will mark the 100th anniversary of the National Yearling Sales in New Zealand, a significant milestone to celebrate.