As far as ratings go, Tassort hit a rarely reached mark in the 2018/19 season after his stunning debut victory, one of only two times he raced, and it was enough to convince the two farms to band together and offer him to breeders at Newgate.
Bred by Godolphin and trained by James Cummings, Tassort hit an elite figure in the Golden Gift, beating three other runners. He then finished runner-up in the G2 Silver Slipper S. won by Time To Reign (Time For War), beating Born A Warrior (I Am Invincible).
His first-up performance, a 5.3l victory romp in record-breaking time, placed him in an elite club of 2-year-olds, according to The Rating Bureau Director Daniel O’Sullivan.
Tassort earned an assessment of 103 and a mark rarely achieved – over the past five seasons just four other colts have managed to earn such a rating, or higher, at any stage of their 2-year-old careers.
“The ratings are an assessment of each individual performance. That was his performance on debut and we can’t alter the assessment of that rating because that’s what he did on the day,” O’Sullivan said.
“Winx had her peak figures and then raced with ratings well below her best when still winning.
“Obviously, every horse has spikes in their career and poor runs, but it’s extremely rare to debut at the level that he did. There’s only been a handful of horses over the years to have run to that type of level.
“There’s only been a handful of horses over the years to have run to that type of level.” – Daniel O’Sullivan
“At the time he was a favourite for the Golden Slipper. Typically, the correlation between a performance like that and horses becoming a Group 1 winner is high.
“Horses like Estijaab, Capitalist and Extreme Choice all debuted with similar type of figures and similar quality. They all went on to win Slippers and Blue Diamonds.
“It’s rare to see and that’s why I was happy to lend that assessment to Henry (Field) and the guys because I genuinely believe in the talent that he was.”
Tassort
Tassort was sidelined with a bruised foot after the Silver Slipper. Sadly, that was to be his only other appearance after his 3-year-old spring campaign was derailed by further issues, including throat surgery for an epiglottic entrapment.
Newgate Managing Director Henry Field believes these issues prevented Tassort's full potential from being realised.
“He’s a bit left field, but you go with your gut and give him a crack. We’ve seen great stallions with similar profiles and the horse undoubtedly had the talent,” Newgate Managing Director Henry Field said.
“We’ve seen great stallions with similar profiles and the horse undoubtedly had the talent." – Henry Field
“It was unfortunate he wasn’t able to go on after the Silver Slipper and who knows how good he would have been. The rating of the Golden Gift was off the scale and we thought he was worth giving an opportunity to.
“We’re strong believers in ratings and have the services of Daniel, one of Australia’s leading analysts, and no 2-year-old colt rated higher that season than Tassort.
“With the commitment of such a high volume and quality of Emirates Park and Newgate mares, Tassort will receive a terrific opportunity at stud.”
Group 1 siblings
Tassort is a son of the 2-year-old winner Essaouira (Exceed And Excel), who has proved to be a gem of a broodmare.
Essaouira at Godolphin’s Northwood Park
Five of her six foals to race have been successful and includes the recently retired Alizee (Sepoy), winner at Group 1 level of the Flight S., Queen of the Turf S., and the Futurity S. and the G1 Golden Rose S. winner Astern, who now stands at Darley.
Essaouira is a daughter of the G2 Magic Night S. winner Alizes (NZ) (Rory’s Jester) and the next two dams La Baraka (Euclase) and Triscay (Marscay) were both Group 1 winners. Defier (Dehere {USA}) is another multiple top-flight winner within the family ranks.
Gallery: Essaouira’s G1-winning progeny
“Tassort is out of one of Australia’s great blue hen mares Essaouira, and from the dominant I Am Invincible sire line,” Emirates Park General Manager Bryan Carlson said.
“The combination of his genetic excellence and untapped talent is the reason we purchased Tassort. We will be supporting him heavily at stud with many of our quality mares.”
Tassort will stand at Newgate for a fee of $11,000 inc GST and breeding rights are available.
