As a racehorse, Darley homebred Essaouira showed untapped ability, but we never saw a chance for that talent to translate into Black Type.
The daughter of Exceed and Excel only raced twice, bolting in by six lengths at
Moonee Valley on debut at two, before disgracing herself when starting favourite
in the Listed MRC Chairman's Stakes won by subsequent Group I winner Headway.
On that occasion she bucked at the start losing all chance before eventually beating
two runners to the line.That was the end of the racetrack for Essaouira, who was packed off to stud and what a good move that's been.
Her first two foals, both colts by Lonhro, Marrakesh and Mogador, showed above average ability, the first a good metropolitan placed winner and the second being Group III placed.
Her next two foals are Group I stars Astern (Medaglia D'Oro (USA) and Alizee (Sepoy).
$1.1million earner Astern was a brilliant two year-old and top class sprinting three year-old, winning the Group I ATC Golden Rose and Group II ATC Silver Slipper and finishing second in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes. Now standing at Darley his first foals are being born this spring.
$1.4 million earner Alizee showed talent at two but blossomed at three to be
one of the best of her generation winning the Group I ATC Flight Stakes and
Queen of the Turf Stakes. The next two foals are unraced Leopard, a filly by animal Kingdom (USA) and this season's exciting two year-old colt Tassort. By Darley's first season sire Brazen Beau, Tassort (pictured below, all images Steve Hart) looked something special when winning the $150,000 ATC Golden Gift last Saturday.
Interestingly, the sires chosen for Essaouira are all physically and pedigree wise very different, yet the end result has always been the same… this mare produces racehorses, and very good ones!
There's more to come for Essaouira as you can see in her produce record below courtesy of Arion.
Essaouira has a pedigree packed with Black Type featuring some of the very best in Australian speed bloodlines. She is by Danehill's champion son Exceed and Excel from Alizes, a Group II winner by Rory's Jester from Group I winner La Baraka, who is by Century's brilliant son Euclase, a full brother to the mighty Rubiton. Her next dam is Champion Filly Triscay, who is by Golden Slipper winner Marscay from a daughter of Sir Tristram (IRE).
Given that pedigree is it any wonder Essaouira is a broodmare superstar!
