Secretariat Stakes Hero Throws Spotlight on Bobby's Kitten

Mark Smith - Sunday August 13

One of the more intriguing first season stallions in Australia this spring is the Group I Breeders' Cup Turf winner Bobby's Kitten, a son of the El Prado stallion Kitten's Joy who has dominated turf racing in the US to the extent few have done before.

More evidence of this came at Arlington Park on Saturday when the aptly named Oscar Performance earned a third win at the highest level in the $US400,000 Secretariat Stakes.

The Brian Lynch-trained rig had won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last season and was coming off a win the Belmont Derby Invitational.

Advertisement

Ridden by Jose Ortiz Oscar Performance stalked the early pace set by the More Than Ready colt Sonic Boom. Set alight on the home turn he easily held the challenges of the European shippers Taj Mahal (Ire) (Galileo) and Afandem (Fr) (Zoffany).


The most favoured of the Europeans, Permian (Ire) (Teofilo), passed the post in last place before stumbling and unseating William Buick.

Winner of the Group II King Edward VII Stakes and Group II Dante Stakes and a heartbreaking near miss in the Group I Grand Prix de Paris at his most recent start, Permian (Ire) had broken a left front cannon bone and was euthanized.  

The winner of six of his nine starts, Oscar Performance has banked $US1.7 million for breeders John and Jerry Amerman.

A brother to the Grade III winner and Grade I placed Oscar Nominated, Oscar Performance is out of the stakes winning Theatrical mare Devine Actress.

The Secretariat Stakes is also on the resume of Kitten's Joy who won the race 13 years ago.

Coincidently Twin Hills foundation stallion Bobby's Kitten (pictured) hails from the family of Theatrical.

His third dam North Eden (Northfield) is a half-sister to Theatrical and she covered herself in glory as a broodmare leaving the Group I winners Paradise Creek, Wild Event and Forbidden Apple.

Bobby's Kitten will stand his first season at Olly Tate's Twin Hills Stud at Cootamundra for a fee of $16,500. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Canterbury
There were a whopping 10 heats won by juveniles at the Canterbury trials on Monday morning that included some interesting unraced youngsters by Zoustar, Zousain and Trapeze Artist, plus a good looking youngster that may see the benefit of gelding.
Aussie Bred HK G3 Double
A pair of Group III races were run at Sha Tin on Sunday with victory in the two last stakes races of the HK season both going to Aussie bred geldings Beauty Joy and Copartner Prance, who is a half-brother to Aquis based sire Kobayashi.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 23
Here is the full list of 29 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Tatts Tiara – Where Are They Now?
The last Group I race of the Australian racing season, the $700,000 Tatts Tiara (1400m) will be run this Saturday and as a fillies and mares feature the winner is often headed straight to stud, so we’re taking a look at where these girls are at.
One to Watch – Scone
Kris Lees often sends a talented horse to the country to cast off maiden status and a two year-old Exceedance gelding did just that on debut at Scone on Monday.
Waikato Stud Weanling Draft Showcases Super Stallions
After a phenomenal few months for Waikato Stud’s stallion roster, the world-renowned nursery will offer six select progeny of those high-flying sires at this week’s NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka.
Countdown to NZB’s 2025 Weanling Sale
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters, plus 10 supplementary lots, selling this Thursday 26 June at Karaka.