Cover image courtesy of Goodwood
Ottoman Emperor faced the toughest test of his fledgling career at Goodwood and the 3-year-old passed impressively in the flying OTI colours and, while he now has an attractive profile for Australia, he will remain in Europe.
However, his stablemate and fellow OTI representative Mirann (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), a dual winner up to 2400 metres, is confirmed to head Down Under to race in Melbourne.
Trained in Ireland by former multiple Group 1-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh, Ottoman Emperor will now be set for the G1 English St Leger at Doncaster in September.
“He won’t be considered for Melbourne and he’s still quite unfurnished in many ways. We’ll look at the St Leger and see how we go from there, if he can win the St Leger he’ll probably never leave Ireland,” OTI Chief Executive Officer Terry Henderson said.
Hermoine FitzGerald, Johnny Murtagh, Ottoman Emperor (Ire) with his strapper and jockey Ben Coen | Image courtesy of Goodwood
“It was a terrific result and the race has been won by some very good horses that have gone on to the St Leger.
“He seems to improve race by race and it was a big jump up to this one. He seems to be coping with it all and he’s a very exciting horse for us.
“He (Ottoman Emperor) seems to be coping with it all and he’s a very exciting horse for us.” – Terry Henderson
“We’ve got a great relationship with Johnny and he’s a terrific guy to deal with. He can talk underwater as most people know, but he can certainly train.”
OTI purchased Ottoman Emperor before he had raced and he’s now won his last four races on the bounce with his only defeat a debut sixth in March.
“We got him the normal way. We buy horses in New Zealand from jump-outs and trials and Ireland are now having these jump-outs at Dundalk and that’s how we found him,” Henderson said.
Terry Henderson | Image courtesy of OTI Racing
Ottoman Emperor was put on OTI’s radar by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman, who also sourced subsequent G1 Doomben Cup winner Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) for Sydney trainer Annabel Neasham.
“Stuart was the agent on this occasion, we usually use Hubie de Burgh in Ireland but we don’t have any exclusive arrangements in England or Ireland,” Henderson said.
“There are more agents than horse trainers there and they are always referring horses. Stuart referred this horse and I asked Johnny to go down and have a look and he liked him.
“Between Stuart and Johnny, they recommended we go ahead with the purchase.”
Stuart Boman | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
Top Valley prospect
Close to home, OTI will be represented at Moonee Valley on Saturday by the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking).
A private purchase after trialling in New Zealand, the possible Golden Eagle contender will be shooting for his fourth win from six starts when he steps out in the Dominant Cleaning Solutions H.
“He’s coming along well, but it will be a bit of a challenge on Saturday getting around Moonee Valley with the rail out three metres,” Henderson said.
"He’s (I'm Thunderstruck) coming along well, but it will be a bit of a challenge on Saturday getting around Moonee Valley with the rail out three metres." - Terry Henderson
“It will be good experience for the horse. He looks as if he could be top class with his natural ability and if he can harness that with good racing manners – he does look a very exciting horse.”
I'm Thunderstruck has been the target of a number of healthy offers from Hong Kong, all of which have been turned down.
Mating plans
Meanwhile, OTI has formalised most of its breeding plans with its broodmares and the closely related pair of Araaja (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Baileya (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}).
“Araaja has got a tentative booking to Pierro, which is a pretty good cross. What I’ll be doing is having a look at the foal first as she’s in foal to Pierro,” Henderson said.
“Baileya is also in foal to Pierro and I think she’ll be going back to him as well.”
“Baileya is also in foal to Pierro and I think she’ll be going back to him as well.” - Terry Henderson
The unraced Baileya, who had a colt by Lope De Vega (Ire) in 2020, is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and sire Fiorente (Ire) and to Roshanak (Spinning World {USA}).
She is the dam of the French stakes winner Araaja, who had a Merchant Navy colt last year, and the black-type winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter Tom Melbourne (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).
“Stormy Road will probably go to Smart Missile and Vee Cece, a stakes placegetter, will be going to Maurice and I’ve got a couple in New Zealand and Vadamos will be the only stallion I’m using,” Henderson said.
Stormy Road (Ire) (Gale Force Ten {GB}) is a half-sister to the G1 Turnbull S. winner Kings Will Dream (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) and is in foal to So You Think (NZ) while Vee Cece (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) will be covered this year for the first time.
