Handsome Riverbank Farm sire Von Costa de Hero posted a new stakes-winner when Von Costa Glass won the Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup last week.
The seven-year-old settled comfortably at the tail of the field, before apprentice Racquel Clark sent the gelding forward when the leaders backed off the pace around the home bend.In the twinkling of an eye, Von Costa Glass was alongside the leading duo and travelling like the winner.
A progressive galloper that has now won seven of 18 starts earning over $200,000 in prize money, the Sue Jaensch trained Von Costa Glass won the 1600 metre contest by a three-quarters of a ength.
Riverbank Farm's Caroline Duddy, who proudly stands his sire Von Costa De Hero, was thrilled for the hardworking trainer and loyal client of the stud.
"It was a great win for his trainer Sue Jaensch, who has been a wonderful supporter of Von Costa De Hero over the years. She has sent her own mares to him, and we are just delighted that she has been rewarded."
"Von Costa De Hero has had a bit of a resurgence this season, welcoming back quite a few mares, and he is just a wonderful bread and butter horse that keeps delivering. He has had 11 winners this season already, so he is getting plenty of runs on the board."
"The Von Costa's are proving that they are getting better and better with age, and Von Costa Glass winning a listed race as a seven-year-old is living proof. They definitely have the longevity which all owners and breeders aim for!" Duddy said.
The handsome son of champion stallion Encosta de Lago, Von Costa De Hero, won at just his third start, the Group 2 Sires' Produce Stakes at Flemington with an impressive turn of foot.
Proving that he deserved to race in elite company, he competitively claimed game thirds in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude and the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas won by Whobegotyou.
Additionally a close up fourth in Northern Meteor's Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, a gallant third against the older sprinters in the Group 2 Norman Carlyon Stakes and a late charging runner-up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas won by Heart Of Dreams.
Retiring to stud as the winner of over $1.1 million in stakes, Von Costa de Hero has many fans amongst owners and breeders with Von Costa de Hero's first crop of now seven-year-olds having produced 33 winners from 54 runners – an incredible 61.1% winners-to-runners strike rate.
"His stats are really good, and with 21 winners from his 35 second crop runners, it shows that good things come to those who wait," Duddy said. Described by Riverbank Farm's Russell Osborne as "fantastic to deal with," Von Costa de Hero stands at a great value fee of $2200.
