Before they were famous: Behemoth

In this series TDN AusNZ will take a look at Group 1 runners before they were successful on the racetrack; speaking to breeders, breakers and trainers on their formative years. Today, we take a look at The Star's runner for The Everest, Behemoth.

Behemoth

All Too Hard x Penny Banger (Zedrich)

Winner - G1 Neds Sir Rupert Clarke S. 1400m

Winner - G1 Magic Millions Memsie S. 1400m

Winner - G3 Spring S. 1200m

Winner - G3 D C McKay S. 1100m

Placegetter - G1 The Goodwood 1200m

The breeder

TDN AusNZ: This was Penny Banger’s fifth foal, what was the foaling down like?

Linda Monds, Tyreel Stud: A straightforward foaling of a large foal.

TDN AusNZ: What was Behemoth like as a foal? Did he display any early personality traits or mannerisms?

LM: For his size, he was a gentle natured, relaxed individual.

TDN AusNZ: What was Behemoth like through his weanling preparation and handling?

LM: Behemoth thrived throughout his handling and prep, he began to fill his frame and he was a very quick learner and eager to please. He loved to parade and showed himself off faultlessly.

TDN AusNZ: Could you foresee his success from early on?

LM: Whilst he was born and bred by Tyreel Stud, we did sell him as a weanling. With all foals born here at Tyreel there is the potential that any one of these foals will grow into an athlete that will have the ability to make it to the higher grades on the track.

Behemoth always possessed a relaxed walk. With his sheer size we identified that he will need time before he performed on the track.

TDN AusNZ: How do you think he will perform in The Everest?

LM: Behemoth has the ability, heart and mental capabilities of achieving a quality run. The result on the day, we will have to wait to see, but he will definitely be in the mix given a good, clean run.

The trainer

TDN AusNZ: What were your first impressions of the horse?

David Jolly, Trainer: He came down as a 2-year-old from the breakers, he was bought in Queensland and stayed there to be gelded, fortunately he was a gelding before he came down to us. He was broken in by Grandview Stud and we’ve had a few broken in by them and they’ve come down really well broken.

I believe he arrived at the backend of spring as he was a June yearling and I remember watching footage of him and I knew he was big, but when he arrived he looked like a 6-year-old gelding. We took him for a couple rides and then took him to the track and we gave him a couple of bowl arounds with some older horses and he worked beautifully. He looked like a really smart horse under saddle, but just to the eye he didn't look like that.

I remember saying to Sam [Lyons] that he worked like a really good galloper, he was a really impressive horse early. And I recall saying that we’ll be sure to really look after him like he’s going to be a special horse, because having only given him a couple canters he just seemed like he was a really smart horse.

Grand Syndicates do a great job buying, and obviously I didn't see him as a yearling but the team do a wonderful job of selecting horses. You know they also have It’s Me in the Kosciuszko and they've managed to do a fantastic job off a low budget. I guess they do things the old fashioned way in that they buy horses that they like on type and are very forgiving on x-rays. I think there’s something to be said in that, if you’re patient and give them the time, they can be fantastic horses. They’ve just got a terrific rapport in what they do.

TDN AusNZ: When did you see something special in the horse?

DJ: I think it was just the length of his stride and the way that he carried himself that made me believe he was special, he was unique in that sense that you don't get a lot of babies that look like that. Whilst he was quite a big horse and a big 2-year-old he was impressive under saddle and had a certain presence and a lot the riders said he was a lovely ride. So that sort of tipped the scales for us, even though he was quite a big and ungainly, he was very smooth around the track.

TDN AusNZ: Does he have a nickname?

DJ: We just call him ‘big b’, he probably had a few unsavoury nicknames early on but we won't talk about that. He could be quite a pushy horse and I think he took a little bit of delight in that early on.

TDN AusNZ: Is he a team favourite?

DJ: He’s quite an aloof horse, you know he will come up for a scratch but then just walk off in his own time, while the others will come up and want the attention, he’s funny in that way and you could give him a pick of grass and he would have a look and knock that off and then walk away. He’s sort of a bit of a loner I guess, he prefers the company of himself rather than other horses and people.

TDN AusNZ: What do you consider his career highlight to date?

DJ: His last start in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke S. He had done some pretty great things for us beforehand, but to do that with 60kg after being held up is something quite special.

TDN AusNZ: How do you like his chances in The Everest?

DJ: I’m really happy with the horse, he is in great form, we’ve given him a bit of an easy time in between and he will be in Sydney the week before and we hope he continues to deliver.