Cambridge Agent's Success No Secret

Media Release - Monday March 5

Phill Cataldo's eye for young thoroughbred talent has again been emphasised by the emergence of Vin De Dance.

Vin de Dance - Trish DunnellThe Cambridge-based bloodstock agent was persistent in his pursuit of Saturday's Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner when the gelding was initially offered at the 2016 Ready to Run Sale.

"He went through Jamie Beatson's draft, he liked him as did Paul Pertab who did a lot of the early work preparing him for the sale, and I saw him at the breeze-ups and looked at him three or four times at Karaka," Cataldo said.

"I said to OTI's Terry Henderson that we should be getting him and bought him (for $70,000) half an hour after he was passed in.

"Luigi Muollo owned him and he retained a share and Terry syndicated the rest and 14 of the owners were at Ellerslie on Saturday.

"Luigi's family and my family have been lifelong friends and I also buy horses for his brother Tony, who lives in Sydney.

"Vin De Dance is a typically big Kiwi stayer and I've always been a fan of Roc de Cambes, he was a great stayer himself and I think he's an under-rated stallion."

Advertisement

The three-year-old's success gave trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman their second New Zealand Derby following Mongolian Khan's triumph in 2016 and yet another significant addition to Cataldo's CV.

"He's my 22nd individual Group One winner, and they've won 28 Group One races, and my third New Zealand Derby winner," he said.

"I bought Military Move (victorious in 2010) and Gingernuts as a weanling. To go back to back is a huge thrill and I'm really looking forward to Vin De Dance going on to Sydney for the Derby there.

"It was a great buzz at Ellerslie and I was also rapt for Jason Waddell, it's a race he's always wanted to win and it was a great ride. The horse was the biggest and strongest stayer in the race with the best jockey and the best trainers."

Waddell will continue his association with Vin De Dance in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m). – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Mark Ford Joins Widden Victoria as Stud Manager
Widden Stud is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Ford as Stud Manager of its Victorian farm at Riddells Creek.
Promising Tagaloa Winner
Wyong trainer Kristen Buchanan went to Warwick Farm on Wednesday hoping she had a horse with a bright future and now she knows she has after two year-old colt Tambeloa relished a step up in trip to break his maiden.
Velocious sells for staggering $1.625m on Inglis Digital to Yulong
The G1-winning 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) tonight became the second most expensive filly ever sold on Inglis Digital, realising $1.625m to the bid of Yulong.
Exceedance 2yo Express Class Surprises On Debut
Surprisingly unwanted in the betting, having won two of his four jumpouts prior to making his debut, the Gerard Maloney trained Exceedance 2yo Express Class got the better of the race favourite to make a winning debut in the Sportsbet Race Previews Handicap (1000m) at Sandown.
Stewart honoured with Young Achiever at NZ National Breeding Awards
White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart was recognised with the Mary Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at Saturday’s National Breeding Awards in Karapiro, highlighting his growing impact on New Zealand’s breeding and racing landscape.
Black Type Next for $4,000 Gavelhouse Buy
A tilt at securing black-type is now on the radar for Robert Dennis’ $4,000 gavelhouse purchase Nightcap after she took her total earnings past $70,000 with a Melbourne Cup Day win at Wingatui.
Wakefield Gears Up for Another Busy Season
Wakefield Stud is preparing for another busy breeding season in 2025, as the business continues its re-emergence in the industry after coming under new ownership in 2024.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday July 30
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Ready to Run Derby Hero
Superstar Ready to Run Sale graduate Gingernuts (NZ) (Iffraaj) won the Group 1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) last year, and it was an even bigger result in 2018 as two horses sold through the two-year-old sale fought out the finish in the prestigious $1 million classic at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Staying Prospect Relocates to Australia
Black type performer Wee Gilly has changed stables and will continue her career in Victoria.