Category Archives: Choisir

Two-state stakes double for Choisir

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Trainer Steven O’Dea’s decision to add blinkers to Sir Moments paid off when the talented youngster produced a powerful performance to win the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1200m) at Doomben, beginning a Saturday stakes double for Coolmore Stud stallion Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime).

Sir Moments had little luck during his first-up sixth in the Listed Ken Russell Memorial but O’Dea said the gelding would benefit from the use of blinkers. The son of Choisir began only fairly but recovered to settle midfield for jockey Michael Cahill but Sir Moments had to withstand a buffering to improve into the race in the straight.

Sir Moments was bumped heavily passing the 200 metres but the interference failed to stop the two-year-old’s bid for victory over the final furlong as he ran over the top of the front-runners to score a comfortable victory by three-quarters of a length.

“They crawled along early and he was held up behind them I thought he wasn’t going to get the room,” O’Dea told Sky Racing World. “I was a bit worried when he was back on the fence, shades of the Gold Coast a fortnight ago.

“I was worried when he was buried away midfield on the fence and he did get bashed up a bit trying to work into the clear. In the end, it was a good win.

 “I can’t wait to get him to longer races on the bigger track at Eagle Farm.’’

O’Dea will give Sir Moments a chance on the spacious Eagle Farm circuit when he runs in the Group 1 JJ Atkins over 1600 metres in two starts time, which will follow his next assignment in the The Phoenix (1400m) on June 1.

Proven Thoroughbreds paid $40,000 for Sir Moments at the 2012 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale. The juvenile’s win earned connections a $64,000 winner’s cheque took his earnings to more than $85,000.

The Anthony Cummings-trained Diamond Earth (Choisir – Face Of The Earth, by Strategic) became Choisir’s 53rd stakes winner when the filly claimed the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) at Scone.

Diamond Earth settled fourth, just off a smart tempo, early in the Denise’s Joy Stakes before powering home to beat Omniscnient (Exceed And Excel – Omens, by Octagonal) and She’s A Stalker (Ferocity – Vintage Class, by More Than Ready) by a length.

Diamond Earth has proven a terrific money-spinner for connections. The three-year-old cost Cummings $60,000 at the 2011 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale but her latest success took Diamond Earth’s earnings to more than $600,000 despite the Denise’s Joy Stakes being her maiden Stakes victory.

Choisir’s comeback man takes Thorndon Mile

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Historian (Choisir – Cyclone, by Marauding) became the fifth Group 1 winner for Coolmore Stud stallion Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) with his tough performance in Saturday’s Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

Historian finished second in the 2011 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before his owner moved him to Hong Kong but tendon troubles prompted him to return to New Zealand where he joined the Gary Alton stable.

Alton hardly works Historian on the training track, preferring to let him gather fitness on a treadmill. Historian had no luck in his first two runs back from a 93-week spell before improving to claim his maiden stakes success, becoming the 47th individual stakes winner for his sire.

The Thorndon Mile began in controversial fashion when the favourite Nashville (Darci Brahma – Royal Kiss, by Royal Academy) missed the start badly while Historian jumped well to take a midfield position, although caught a little wide, from barrier 16.

Historian began to improve from the 800 metres for jockey Rosie Myers to get within three lengths of the leaders at the 400 metres. The five-year-old’s staying ability came to the fore late as he powered home after a tough run to beat the top weight Lady Kipling (Savabeel – Akela, by Al Akbar) by a short head to Alton’s joy.

“I knew he was well going into that race so I had a good bet on him for the Thorndon,” the trainer told The Informant. “I got him at $41, which will take care of the drinks I’ll be expected to shout when we get back home tomorrow.”

Historian was a $40,000 purchase from the Lyndhurst Stud draft at the 2009 NZB Premier Yearling Sale.

French Group 1 winner for Choisir

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Coolmore Stud stallion Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) enjoyed success at the showpiece Arc meeting when his son Olympic Glory (Choisir – Acidanthera, by Alzao) strode to a strong victory in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m) at Longchamp.

Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani purchased Olympic Glory last month before the classy colt quickly repaid a portion of his new owner’s investment with a strong win at Longchamp.

Only top European juvenile Dawn Approach (New Approach – Hymn Of The Dawn, by Phone Trick) has defeated Olympic Glory. Dawn Approach had his measure when the duo met in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot in June.

Olympic Glory subsequently won twice at Group2 level before scoring his maiden Group 1 success when he finished 1-1/4 lengths ahead of What A Name (Mr Greeley – Bonnie Byerly, by Dayjur).

Richard Hannon Junior deputised for his father Richard Hannon Senior at Longchamp. The younger Hannon said the camp would discuss Olympic Glory’s immediate future but did not rule out a trip to the US for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

“I’m delighted, he’s done it very well. Sheikh Joaan bought him three weeks ago and he’ll be very pleased,” Hannon Jr said.

“I’ll have to speak to the racing manager. We’ll sleep on it, but that might be it for the year. I wouldn’t rule the Breeders’ Cup out completely and he has plenty of options for next year (including) the English Guineas or coming back here for the French Guineas.”

Meanwhile, Choisir produced a Graded stakes winner in the US on Saturday when his son Obviously (Choisir – Leala, by Montjeu) took out the Grade 2 Arroyo Seco Mile (1m) at Santa Anita.

Choisir colt still unbeaten after Spring Stakes

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Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) colt Proisir (Choisir – Prophet Jewel, by Encosta De Lago) became a stakes winner in brilliant fashion with his romp in Wednesday’s Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.

Proisir, retained to race by his breeders, went into the $175,000 event with wins at Hawkesbury and Rosehill to his name but simply blitzed his opposition with a dominant front-running display.

Jockey Nash Rawiller was able to carve out slow midrace sectionals on Proisir but the lightly-raced three-year-old’s acceleration early in the straight ended the race as a contest. Proisir simply left his rivals standing to record a 5-3/4 length victory, becoming the 44th Stakes winner for Coolmore Stud stallion Choisir.

“He could win the (Group 1) Spring Champion (Stakes),” Proisir’s trainer Gai Waterhouse said.

“This race is always a great indicator of good horses and he just toyed with his rivals today and he won like the short-priced favourite he was.

“He’s so exciting.”

 

US Grade 2 winner for Choisir

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A brilliant front-running display has enabled Obviously (Choisir – Leala, by Montjeu) to become the third US Stakes winner for the Coolmore stallion Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) in the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile Handicap.

The Irish-bred four-year-old started favourite in the $US200,000 event and burst from the barriers to open a big lead on his rivals rounding the first turn. Obviously maintained his free gallop under jockey Joseph Talamo throughout the middle stages before getting weary early in the straight.

The high speed told on Obviously in the final furlong but he had a nose to spare of the charging Mr Commons (Artie Schiller – Joustabout, by Apalachee). Obviously lowered the track record for the mile in the course of posting his fifth win from 10 starts, which also qualified him for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita on November 3.

“He was more keen with me today than the other day.” Talamo told The Bloodhorse.

“But that was good. I needed every inch to get it done. He just ran outstanding. He’s a really good horse.

“At the sixteenth pole I could hear (Mr. Commons) coming. Good thing I still had a little bit left in the tank.”

Obviously, a 130,000-guinea purchase at the 2009 Goffs February Sale, became the 43rd Stakes winner worldwide for Choisir. Choisir will command a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) in the 2012 Australian breeding season.

 

UK Group 2 win for Choisir colt

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Coolmore Stud’s consistent stallion Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) earned his 39th individual Stakes winner when the smart two-year-old Olympic Glory (Choisir – Acidanthera, by Alzao) narrowly won the Group 2 Superlative Stakes (7f) at Newmarket.

Olympic Glory took to the track for the third time in the Superlative Stakes. The two-year-old won his maiden on debut at Goodwood on June 8 before finishing second to the outstanding juvenile Dawn Approach (New Approach – Hymn Of The Dawn, by Phone Trick) in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot.

Olympic Glory hit a heavy track for the first time in the Superlative Stakes. The colt settled midfield but took time to accelerate, losing ground when the pace quickened with three furlongs to run.

Olympic Glory lifted to hit the lead at the furlong marker before holding on to defeat Birdman (Danehill Dancer – Gilded Vanity, by Indian Ridge) by a head. Choisir’s sire Danehill Dancer (Danehill – Mira Adonde, by Sharpen Up) provided the runner-up.

Choisir’s outstanding son Starspangledbanner (Choisir – Gold Anthem, by Made of Gold) produced one of his greatest performances on the corresponding day in 2010 when he won the Group I July Cup.

Choisir will stand for $27,500 at the organisation’s Australian farm during the southern hemisphere breeding season.

 

Choisir colt tops QTIS sale

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A colt by Choisir sold for $150,000 to top the 2012 Magic Millions QTIS Yearling Sale at the Gold Coast on Monday.

At the Wire Thoroughbreds secured the colt, offered by Grandview, and he will remain in Queensland to be trained at the Sunshine Coast.

Catalogued as lot 368, the chestnut is the fourth living foal of a Brisbane winning Mukaddamah (USA) half sister to Gr 1 winners Seachange and Keepa Cruisin.‚Ä®”He’s a really nice horse with a huge pedigree,”¬†At the Wire’s Rodney¬†Holt said. “For a November foal he’s very forward.‚Ä®He’s correct and strong and he will join the stables of Jason McLachlan on the Sunshine Coast.”

“Jason trains the half sister Redsyn and I am a big fan of Seachange who is high up in his pedigree,” Holt added.

Another yearling to catch the eye of good judges was lot 430 – the Bernardini (USA) – Citichy colt offered by Kalinga Valley Farm, as agent for Stalwart Thoroughbreds.‚Ä®‚Ä®The partnership of Cameron Cooke and Tony Gollan went to $100,000 to secure the colt after a bidding battle with Pat Duff – the man who trained the colt’s Magic Millions 3YO Trophy winning half brother Heart of the Citi.

The momentum of Sunday’s first session continued with the sale gross going past $7 million – up over $300,000 on last year.‚Ä®‚Ä®The average price rounded out at $22,142 – up 15 % on last year’s sale average.

The clearance rate of 77 % compares favourably with last year’s 71 %.‚Ä®‚Ä®Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox was pleased to see the figures increase strongly on the 2011 auction.‚Ä®‚Ä®”It’s been a very good sale by all measures,” Cox said. “To see the average, gross and clearance all rise is very pleasing.”

Another Inglis win for Choisir filly

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A sustained display of speed from two-year-old filly Diamond Earth (Choisir – Face Of The Earth, by Strategic) provided the highlight of an outstanding day’s work for reliable Coolmore sire Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime).

Diamond Earth showed terrific pace before hanging on late to win the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Warwick Farm. The filly’s win was her second in races restricted to Inglis sale graduates and took her prizemoney tally to more than $325,000 from three starts, providing a huge return on the $60,000 she fetched at the 2011 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

“All the family have got good gate speed and are high-cruising speed horses and she is plainly no different,” Cummings said.

“One of her assets is her gate speed … but equally she is pretty kind and does what you ask of her.

“At that speed I don’t think she’d get 1200 metres but I guess next time we don’t have to go that quick.”

Diamond Earth’s win was one of four by Choisir’s progeny on Saturday.¬†The stallion also had winners at Narrogin, Kembla Grange and Fannie Bay.

Six for Coolmore men on Thursday

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Coolmore Stud sires took the honours again on Thursday after the worldwide breeding giant’s stallion combined for six successes in Australia and New Zealand.

Encosta De Lago (Fairy King – Shoal Creek, by Star Way) and High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells – Kasora, by Darshaan) teamed up to provide a double at the Te Aroha meeting. Hype (High Chaparral – Zolata, by Zabeel) won the Nottingham Castle Hotel Maiden (2200m) before Encosta Larrocha (Encosta De Lago – Larrocha, by Danehill) took out the Waihou Excavation Handicap (2200m).

Choisir (Danehill Dancer – Great Selection, by Lunchtime) sired a double of his own at the Seymour and Port Lincoln fixtures. Sweet Music (Choisir – Blue Music, by Bluebird) got home to win the Railway Club Hotel Maiden Plate (1009m) before Like Bolt (Choisir – Tierani, by Tierce) claimed the Carlton Draught Handicap (1000m).

Galileo (Sadler’s Wells – Urban Sea, by Miswaki) got in on the act at Port Lincoln when He’s Hot To Trot (Galileo – Zinnia, by Zabeel) won the Boston Bakery Handicap (1750m).

Coolmore’s champion Royal Academy (Nijinsky II – Crimson Saint, by Crimson Satan) closed out the operation’s impressive day when Stream Royale (Royal Academy – Sorell Creek, by King Of Kings) took out the VB Gold Maiden Plate (1109m).

Queen rules

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Homecoming Queen (2 f Holy Roman Emperor – Lagrion, by Diesis) ran out the easy four and a quarter length winner of the Listed, Lanwades & Staffordstown Stud Stakes for two-year-old fillies over a mile at the Curragh on Sunday.

Like her sire, Homecoming Queen is trained by Aidan O’Brien and she came home alone to defeat Absolute Crackers (Giant’s Causeway) with Ronan’s Bay (Johannesburg) another two and a half lengths away in third.

Homecoming Queen is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Dylan Thomas (Danehill) who has done well with his first-crop two-year-olds in Europe this season and whose first-crop are about to hit the track in Australia.

Coolmore stallions were on the mark in Italy on Sunday where Temida (Oratorio) won the 2000m Group 3  Premio Verziere Memorial Aldo Cirla defeating Toi et Moi (Galileo) by half a length and Choisir Shadow (Choisir) running out the three-length winner of the Listed, Criterium Nazionale over 1200m, both races in Milan.