Al Maher's Al Passem Captures Kilmore Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday November 24

Winless in 15 starts since July last year, the 5yo Al Maher gelding Al Passem earned a maiden stakes win in Sunday’s $150,000  Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) at Seymour.

Ridden by Jye McNeil, the Ken Key’s trained gelding tracked the leader Manolo Blahniq before tacking over coming in to the straight before holding the challenge of the favourite A Shin Rook (JPN) by a head with Heptagon (Jimmy Choux) a neck back in third.

“He got the ride we have been dreaming off,” Keys said.Al Passem - image Grant Courtney

“He was earmarked as a mad leader, which he is not, he is an on-pacer, sometimes they get confused about that. He came out, got cover, travelled on pace at his tempo and raced fantastic.

“It’s a real thrill for the owners who have been fantastic. If you look at the horse, he looks like a star he deserved to win something – he looks like Elvis.

“He’s just a fantastic horse to train and he deserved one of these better races.

Purchased by his trainer for $55,000 out of the Swettenham Stud draft at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Al Passem advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 5 thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $399,650.

Advertisement

Bred by Churchill Lodge, Al Passem is the second foal of the talented Rubiton mare Ruby Bre, a 5-time Sydney winning half-sister to the Adelaide Magic Millions winner Marie Madeleine (Redoute's Choice) who placed in the Group III MRC Blue Diamond Prelude, GCTC Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL), Listed MRC Debutante Stakes and Listed MVRC St Albans Stakes.

Ruby Bre’s granddam Scarlet Crown (Rory’s Jester) won the Group III VATC Merson Cooper Stakes and Listed VRC Talindert Hcp and is a half-sister to Scarlet Bisque (Biscay) the winner of the Group 1 VATC Oakleigh Plate, Group II MVRC AJ Moir Stakes and Group II VATC Chirnside Stakes.Al Maher - image Mark Smith

A $160,000 yearling Ruby Bre had just one foal in her first five seasons at stud and she was sold for just $3,4000 at the 2014 Inglis Autumn Thoroughbred Sale.

After foaling Al Passem she had the winning Turffontein gelding Pantera Nera and she has an unnamed 3yo filly by Fiorente but has not been covered in the past two seasons.

Al Passem becomes the 35th stakes-winner for Stockwell Thoroughbreds new recruit Al Maher. The Group 1 winning son of Danehill is standing for a fee of $8,800 this year.

Advertisment

Race Result - Bet365 Kilmore Cup LR 1600m

Seymour Track: Good(3) Time: 1:35.03
1
Al Passem
- 5g Al Maher (AUS) x Ruby Bre (AUS) (Rubiton (AUS))
Tnr: K M Keys Rdr: Jye McNeil 54
2
0.2
A Shin Rook
- 6g Heart's Cry (JPN) x Eishin Linden (USA) (Alydeed (CAN))
Tnr: Anthony Freedman Rdr: Craig Williams 56
3
0.6
Heptagon
- 6g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Seven Schillings (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Zac Spain 54
4
0.9
Brown Ben
- 7g Big Brown (USA) x Innishbeg (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: C J Parish 54
5
1.1
Torgersen
- 7g Pins (AUS) x Oh So Glam (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Michael Jones Rdr: D W Stackhouse 54
6
1.8
Travimyfriend
- 7g Tavistock (NZ) x Pineau (NZ) (Carnegie (IRE))
Tnr: Ms R Frost Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
7
2.6
Manolo Blahniq
- 6g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x Floramour (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: A W Noonan Rdr: J Noonan 56.5
8
3.1
East Indiaman
- 4g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Dashie Diva (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: L Currie 54
9
4.3
Spunlago
- 8g Hard Spun (USA) x Lindt (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: R T Stubbs Rdr: Patrick Moloney 54
10
5.1
Pounamu
- 8g Authorized (IRE) x Tangiwai (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: M C Kent Rdr: L Nolen 60
More Reading...
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
First Black Type Victory For Nellie Leylax (IRE)
Not a bad way to break through for your first Australian victory as the Annabel and Rob Archibald trained Nellie Leylax (IRE) cleared out by more than two lengths to claim the Group 3 ATC Premier’s Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Unbeaten Run Continues For Autumn Glow
Resuming off the back of two solid barrier trials efforts, Chris Waller’s Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) stepped up to open company for the first time, with the $1.8m yearling purchase extending her unbeaten run to five with victory in the Group 3 ATC Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick.