Promising three year-old Tagmaster won the Listed Lisboa Challenge at Taipa in Macau. It was an impressive performance from Tagmaster who jumped awkwardly, was held
up rounding the home turn and only saw daylight in the last 150 metres.The Lisboa Challenge (1500m) becomes the maiden stakes win for Tagmaster who raced five times in Australia as Global Impact before heading to Macau.
Tagmaster is the best of two winners from Fastnet Rock mare Rocking, a half-sister to Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Catnipped from the family of Group winners Brazuca, Prom Queen, Bella Rosa and Rich Girl.
Eurozone's best runner thus far – Krone – is a multiple stakes winner at two and three, was runner-up to Group I winner Amphitrite in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes last spring, and, most recently was third to Military Zone in the Group III BRC Fred Best at Doomben last month.
"We're very happy to get such an exciting son of Northern Meteor on board," said Chris Burke, who secured Eurozone on behalf of boutique property, Bellereve Stud from Newgate Farm.
"This region really needs a stallion of his quality and it's worth remembering that both Krone and his unbeaten filly, Mystery Love (Listed Bendigo Guineas) are from his first crop. In fact, both of them won stakes races – a week apart – just before the announcement he would be heading to Bellereve.
"What's more, he covered 417 mares in his first three years at stud, so there's a lot of Eurozones coming through.
"Northern Meteor was a such a super sire and now sire of sires through the likes of Zoustar and Deep Field, so it's terrific to have such a well credentialled son on hand for local breeders – especially given Eurozone stands for just $7,700."
Eurozone is completely free of Danehill, so it's hardly surprising that all three of his stakes-winners so far are from mares with Danehill blood, two are by Al Maher and Fastnet Rock, while the third mare is from a daughter of Redoute's Choice.
For those breeders looking for an affordable outcross sire, Eurozone is certainly putting the runs on the board.
Chris Burke can be contacted on 0498 012 795
