Hard Spun's Le Romain Toughs It Out in the Show County

Mark Smith - Saturday August 18

On any other day, Le Romain would be a headline act, but by the time this most genuine of horses battled his way to a fifth stakes success under 61 kgs in Saturday's Group III Show County Quality at Randwick, the crowd was still buzzing from the win of Winx in the Group 1 Winx Stakes.

With James McDonald in the saddle, Le Remain defeated Siege Of Quebec (Fastnet Rock) by one and a quarter lengths with Boss Lane (Dubawi) three and a quarter lengths back in third. (photos Steve Hart)

Advertisement


Winning trainer Kris Lees said they would be open to a slot in the Everest but he is not holding his breath.

"He doesn't get spoken about much, he's a little underrated," Lees said.

"He is a very good horse and it's great to see him back in the winner's circle. He's played at the highest level for a long while and it's good to see get a win. If the Everest happens, it happens.

"There are some races either side or he could end up in an Epsom."


In 12 starts since defeating Chautauqua in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes in March 2017, Le Romain has finished second to Winx in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, second to Tivaci in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, second to Invincible Gem in the Group II Missile Stakes, second to Trapeze Artist in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, second to Impending in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup and third in the Group 1 Doomben 10000 won by English.

The triple Group 1 winning son of Hard Spun (USA) advances his overall record to 7 wins, 11 seconds and 2 thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $2,792,075.

Bred and part-owned by Mark Carusi with his brother Anthony, Le Romain is the third foal of Hawkesbury maiden winner Mignard who was purchased for $18,000 from a Darley Reduction in 2009.

The daughter of Strategic is out of the Night Shift mare Mielleuse who was placed in the Group II Reisling Slipper and is a half-sister to the stakes winner and multiple Group 1 placed Pursuits (Quest For Fame).

Mignard has a 2yo colt by Kuroshio named Mbappe and a yearling filly by Exosphere. She was covered by Frosted (USA) last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$3million Won Through Inglis Xtra Bonus
A staggering $3m has now been won as part of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Series following today’s victory by the Cody Morgan-trained 3YO Considered at Dubbo.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
How Much for a Snitzel Colt from Winx?
The record price for a yearling by the late champion sire Snitzel stands at $2.8million, but that benchmark looks set to be smashed at Inglis Easter next year.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Unbeaten So You Think 3YO WA's New Excitement Machine
One month to the day since he first set foot on a racecourse, So You Think’s three year old son  Opportunistic remains undefeated from three starts, is a dual stakes winner with earnings of $200,250 to his name, and is WA's new rising star of the turf.