breednet.com.au

Son of Frankel aimed at the Melbourne Cup

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday July 17
A son of Frankel is being aimed at the 2018 Melbourne Cup by his Cup-winning owner.

Mikel Delzangles and Sheikh Fahad al Thani with Dunaden. Photo: AAPSheikh Fahad al Thani won the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Dunaden and is planning to win Australia's greatest race again.

Count Octave is owned by Qatar Racing and racing manager David Redvers said on the group website the Melbourne Cup is the goal for the proven stayer.

"Sheikh Fahad has been very fortunate to already win the Melbourne Cup but I know he would love to do so again in the colours of Qatar Racing," Redvers said.

"Count Octave has some good form that ties in with some real Group I horses, so hopefully we can get to that stage safe and sound and then the excitement can begin."

The four-year-old won at Wolverhampton at his first start this year and finished third last time out in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m5f) at Royal Ascot in June where he was ridden by Oisin Murphy.

A three-quarter brother to the 2011 Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach, Count Octave finished runner-up in the Group II Jockey Club Stakes over 1m4f in May and trainer Andrew Balding said will run next at York in August.

"Count Octave's likely route will be either the Lonsdale Cup or the Ebor at York," Balding said.

"It depends on where Sheikh Fahad would like to run him, with the former being the more likely.

"However, long term, the aim is the Melbourne Cup."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Satono Aladdin Filly Wins Easily for Te Akau
A bright future is being tipped for Sibling Rivalry after she broke through for her maiden win in the Harcourts Monarch (1150m) at Te Aroha on Tuesday.
Spring Stars Boost NZB Ready to Run Sale Pedigrees
The results of showpiece races throughout the spring have delivered notable pedigree updates to the catalogue for this week’s NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka.
Good Week to be a Victorian!
There were 26 stakes run at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival last week and they were all won by different horses with no horse successful more than once which is somewhat unusual, although we shall always wonder could have been for Tentyris.
Breed Your Own Stayer – It Can Be Done!
Reflecting on a brilliant Melbourne Cup Carnival that featured three G1 winning stayers all sired by stallions standing in Victoria it’s the perfect time to think outside the box and plan to breed a high-class stayer of your own.
New Nominations Representative for Aga Khan Studs
Bloodstock agent Tina Rau has joined the Aga Khan Studs as international nominations representative; a newly created role aimed at strengthening the team’s presence at the major European sales.
One to Watch – Gosford
By champion sire I Am Invincible from a Group I winning sprinter, this talented filly cast off maiden status at Gosford on Tuesday in the manner of a filly that will be winning better races.
Yes Yes Yes – I’ll Have What She’s Having!
The winners keep coming this spring for Yes Yes Yes with a Kiwi trained three year-old primed for his G1 target race, a promising 2YO on the rise and a stylish winner at Rosehill on Saturday for the powerful Ciaron Maher stable.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 10
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – He’s Not Going Quietly
Declining potency in terms of racetrack results in their offspring occurs frequently with even the best stallions as they move into the twilight years and the lessening of opportunity through declining fertility often exacerbates the issue, but in the case of Written Tycoon he’s not going quietly.
Tara Talks Racing - Long Live the Aussie Bred Stayer
Massive week of stakes racing behind us and we’re all a bit carnival weary, but we can take heart from the fact the Aussie bred stayer has not yet joined the Tasmanian Tiger on the path to extinction.