August 19th, 2007

STALLIONS continues our series of profiles on horses beginning stud duties this spring.

Among them is Gonski.

Gonski is one of four high profile newcomers to Darley this spring along with Bernardini, Henny Hughes and Librettist. But unlike the other three, Gonski will stand at Darley Victorian farm while the other trio go to the Hunter Valley.
Gonski, was a $400,000 yearling purchase from the Swettenham Stud draft at the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. He justified his purchase price with a stunning debut win at Rosehill in December 2004, earning a rating of 118 and early favouritism for the Golden Slipper.

At three Gonski showed his brilliance in the Listed Concept Sport Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. Ridden on that occasion by Dan Nikolic for trainer Tim Martin, went straight to the front, leading throughout to win by 2¼ lengths from Perfectly Ready at the finish. It had been widely thought that Gonski might be suspect over the 1400m journey, but his performance cast those doubts aside. Although he looked to be in full control all the way, Nikolic said Gonski hadn’t been quite as relaxed as he may have appeared.

"I actually did a little bit of work to get across in the first furlong but then when I asked him to come back, he still wanted to race for another 100 metres", Nikolic said. 
"They're running into a very strong head wind and the last thing Tim said to me was save him for as long as possible because he's vulnerable after he had a bit of a setback during the week."

At his next start, Gonski led up the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas field and was gallant on the rain affected track, finishing fourth, 2-1/2 lengths behind God's Own and Paratroopers. A short freshen-up and step back to the sprint distance of 1200m up the famous Flemington straight in the Group I Salinger Stakes against some of the best sprinters in the country, was Gonski’s next start, where he raced for the first time in th colours of his new owner, Darley Australia.   Gonski finished a creditable sixth behind Glamour Puss in the feature sprint. 

Gonski only got to the track another two occasions, before a fractured sesamoid forced his retirement in the autumn of 2006. He retired to stud duties with two wins (1100m & 1400m) and two placings from just eight starts.
By Danehill, Gonski is out of the Marauding mare Abonnement, who is also the dam of the Singapore stakes winner Recast (by Thunder Gulch). His grandam Rossignol (by Bluebird) is the dam of the Group 2 Bill Stutt Stakes and Group I Caulfield Guineas runner-up, Schubert (by Salieri). 

Rossignol’s daughter’ have proven successful producers with the unraced Trick Ski (by Rory’s Jester) producing the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes winner, Downhill Racer (by Danehill Dancer) and the unraced Alpine Spirit (by Kenmare) leaving the Listed Silver Jubilee Stakes winner, Pinezero (by Danzero) and the seven-time Hong Kong black type winner, Wealthy (By Danehill).  The third dam is the Group 3 winner and Group I placed River Dane (by Tyrant), a half-sister to Group I George Ryder Stakes winner Pure of Heart (by Godswalk), whose stakes-placed Danehill son Lion Hunter was such a success at stud in Australia.

While, Sorority (by Bluebird) a daughter of River Dane’s is the dam of the Group 2 Maribyrnong Plate victor and young sire Happy Giggle (by Rory’s Jester).
“We’re thrilled to be introducing Bernardini, Henny Hughes, Librettist and Gonski to Australasian breeders this year,” Darley’s general manager Oliver Tait said.
“Between them they boast two year-old speed, outstanding physiques, world class three year-old form and blue-blooded pedigrees.”

With the “book full” sign up on his stable door it appears Gonski has the support of breeders’ as well at $7,700.00 (inc gst).