It’s been business as usual for leading syndicator Star Thoroughbreds through testing economic times with Denise Martin adamant that regular communication with owners has been a key driver.
She has remained in constant contact with existing owners and those new to Star Thoroughbreds throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and tailored incremental payment plans for clients accordingly.
Martin has been active in the yearling market in 2020 with the ongoing success of Star’s familiar silks of purple and white stars on racetracks across Australia continuing to drive business.
That was again evident again at the weekend with Chris Waller-trained winners in New South Wales and Queensland and very nearly in Victoria as well.
Denise usually purchases between 20 and 25 yearlings each year
“I’ve bought 23 yearlings this year and usually buy between 20 and 25 and might have looked to get a buy one or two more, but circumstances nationally put a halt to that so I’m comfortable in this environment,” Martin said.
“Clearly, circumstances have changed for everybody. I think the most important thing in the last three months is to engage in dialogue with current and prospective owners.
“I think the most important thing in the last three months is to engage in dialogue with current and prospective owners.” – Denise Martin
“Given that not everybody is enjoying great circumstances at the moment, I have ensured that we have discussed our new horses with people who have made a commitment to purchase and we finalise ownership one horse at a time.
“We space that weeks apart so people are not being presented with invoices all at once. I think that’s the way to go about it and knowing our owners as well as we do, people are comfortable going along quietly.
“It’s marginally slower, but we have been really satisfied with how things have gone. I think most owners now feel that we are coming out of a difficult time reasonably quickly and looking forward to carnival racing later on in the year with really nice horses.”
Star Thoroughbreds’ colours were carried to victory at Randwick on Saturday by Achiever (Pride Of Dubai) and Dealmaker (Dundeel {NZ}) and at Eagle Farm by Mangione (Fiorente {Ire}).
The import Masaff (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}) went close to adding to the tally when the 4-year-old finished runner-up at Flemington.
“Had the European horse Masaff, who we think is quite a talent, won in Melbourne we would have had four city winners in three states,” Martin said. “We were quite satisfied though, we had three wins and two seconds from eight to the races.”
“Had the European horse Masaff, who we think is quite a talent, won in Melbourne we would have had four city winners in three states.” - Denise Martin
The 2-year-old Achiever started the ball rolling when he opened his winning account at his fifth appearance after banking a cheque in all previous starts.
“He’s an interesting horse and Brett Howard, who helps me at the yearling sales, found him for me at the Inglis Premier Sale. He was an eye-catching colt from the outset and I’d seen him several times, but on the morning of the sale he had a wrap on his hind leg,” Martin said.
“I was quite crushed thinking perhaps he had an injury so I asked vet Ross Alexander to x-ray him, but we didn’t do that before he went through the ring and he was passed in.
Achiever as a yearling
“A number of my best horses have been passed in, including Sebring and Noire, and when he was passed in for $90,000 I asked Brett to speak to the vendor (Erinvale Thoroughbreds) and we were advised it was a soft tissue, minor injury and x-rayed as that.
“We offered $80,000 for the colt and I was thrilled to be able to take him home at that price. He has tremendous quality behind him, his mother is a daughter of Circles Of Gold and she is quite legendary in Australian racing.
“The dam Lady Circles has already produced the Group 3 winner Decircles and I always liked Pride Of Dubai as a horse when he was racing.”
“The dam Lady Circles has already produced the Group 3 winner Decircles and I always liked Pride Of Dubai as a horse when he was racing.” – Denise Martin
Circles Of Gold won the G1 Australian Oaks and is the dam of Group 1 winners and sires Elvstroem and Haradasun and Hveger (Danehill), dam of seven-time Group 1 winner and sire Highland Reel (Ire).
“Dealmaker has been the perennial bridesmaid, but he loves the Randwick mile and when he gets free air in the straight he can find the line very strongly,” Martin said. “It was a deserved win and quite able to go and win more races.”
Dealmaker as a yearling
A multiple Group placegetter, Dealmaker was a $160,000 purchase out of Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft and is out of Sport Chic (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to the G2 Guy Walter S. winner Alassio (Foxwedge).
“Mangione is a horse that improves during preparations and distance and he was strong to the line as well,” Martin said.
He posted the fourth win of his career at Eagle Farm over 1815 metres and was bought for $150,000 at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was offered by Yarraman Park Stud. He is from the Group 1 winning family of Burst (Marauding {NZ}) and Bush Padre (Redding {NZ}).
