Written by Paul Vettise
Phil Warren feels proud and privileged to be part of the All-Star Mile and no matter the outcome with Streets Of Avalon (Magnus), it’s going to be a day that lasts long in his memory.
Warren bred the 5-year-old and is the managing owner of Streets Of Avalon, whose last-start defeat of the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Super Seth (Dundeel {NZ}) bagged his spot in Saturday’s Caulfield feature.
It also took Streets Of Avalon’s stake earnings beyond $1.1 million for the hobby breeder who won’t lack for support when the Shane Nichols-trained gelding shoots for a share of the $5 million All-Star pot of gold.
“We’re all very excited and we’ll have about 40 people there so it’s going to be a big day,” Warren said. “I’ve got the mare and four other close mates in the horse, they’ve got 10 per cent each and I’ve got the rest.”
Warren acknowledges a major hurdle for Streets Of Avalon, the quality of his opposition aside, is running a strong 1600 metres.
“He’s run the mile at the top level before, he ran eighth in the Cantala, but really he runs out of carrots in the last 100 metres.” – Phil Warren
“He’s run the mile at the top level before, he ran eighth in the Cantala, but really he runs out of carrots in the last 100 metres,” he said. “Shane is tinkering with the gear a bit this weekend.
“He’s taking the blinkers off. The mile is an issue, but if that does something who knows – he might be in the finish.
“Shane said his work this week has been as good as ever and he’s reasonably confident so fingers crossed. It is a good quality field and if we ran top eight we’d still get a pretty good cheque.
Phil Warren, breeder and managing owner of Streets Of Avalon
“We’re in it to win of course, but we’ve got to be realistic. It’s great to be part of the race and now with his rating so high he has to compete at weight-for-age.”
Warren was first introduced into thoroughbred ownership by good friend Simon O’Donnell and moved into the breeding game after purchasing Streets Of Avalon’s dam Kamuniak (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe {USA}) from OTI on her retirement.
Group 1 family
Kamuniak is a sister to the former champion New Zealand 2-year-old Jokers Wild (NZ), winner of the G1 Diamond S. and the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce S.
Further back in the pedigree are the G1 Blue Diamond S. winner and sire Reward For Effort and the G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Overreach (Exceed And Excel).
Jokers Wild (NZ) when racing
“I’ve always bred to race, it’s more economical to do it that way, but now there’s a bit more value in the family I might consider putting one through the sale. I haven’t really decided yet,” Warren said.
“The value has gone up, which is great, but Magnus is not necessarily commercial. He’ll bring you $100,000 to $200,000 sort of money. I may even consider sending the mare to a stallion with a bit more upside.
“I may even consider sending the mare to a stallion with a bit more upside.” – Phil Warren
“I’ve got a sister, a 2-year-old, to Streets Of Avalon with Shane and she’s got a Starspangledbanner yearling and she’s in foal to Magnus so there’s another one coming along.”
Warren is also breeding from two-time winner Scrunchie (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), named by his daughter, with both his mares resident at Supreme Thoroughbreds.
“Scrunchie has got a Rich Enuff colt at foot and she’s in foal to Akeed Mofeed. Supreme foal them down and give me advice on stallions and once they’re ready I send them to Shane. He communicates really well, he’s a great fellow.”
Shane Nichols (left) with Streets Of Avalon
Scrunchie is a half-sister to the stakes-winner If I Can I Can (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the family of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and sire Artie Schiller (USA). He has produced five elite level winners, including the G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner and sire Flying Artie and the G1 Rosehill Guineas winner Laser Hawk in this part of the world.
