Cover image courtesy of Newcastle Racecourse
Second-season stallion Preferment's daughter Smirk (NZ) produced a strong finish from the back half of the field to win the Reward Hospitality Maiden H. over 1400 metres at Newcastle on Saturday.
Preferment (NZ) | Standing at Brighthill Farm
The 3-year-old filly is trained by Chris Waller, who guided Preferment through an accomplished racetrack career that also featured further Group 1 successes in the Turnbull S., Australian Cup and Tancred S. during his 4-year-old season.
“It was fitting that Preferment's first winner was on Derby Day, given he broke his maiden in the 2014 VRC Derby,” Waller said.
“I see Smirk as an Oaks contender next year as she's a quality filly who will develop. It's amazing to see Preferment showing this in his stock at this early stage, as they will only continue to improve with maturity as he did.”
“I see Smirk as an Oaks contender next year as she's a quality filly who will develop. It's amazing to see Preferment showing this in his stock, as they will only continue to improve with maturity as he did.” - Chris Waller
Preferment stands at Brighthill Farm in Waikato, where his 2021 service fee is NZ$9500 (plus GST). A handful of his first crop have appeared at the races so far, with Smirk backed up by Like It Sweet (NZ), who finished second on debut at Tauranga on Saturday.
“We were very pleased to see the filly win on Saturday and tick off that first winner for the stallion,” Brighthill Farm owner Nick King told TDN AusNZ.
“We have a wonderful bunch of second-season sires in New Zealand at the moment, and it’s really interesting watching how they’re all going. A few of them got off to a great start with their 2-year-olds last season and their early 3-year-olds this spring, so we’re very pleased to have Preferment off the mark now as well.
Nick King | Image courtesy of New Zealand Breeders' Association
“A lot of Preferment’s progeny have gone to the trials and shown promise, but many of them have then gone back out. So it was great to have this filly carry on to the races, kick off her career and get that first winner out of the way for the sire.
“I thought that it was a really nice touch that Preferment’s first winner is trained by Chris Waller, who trained him. The ownership group also includes a lot of the stallion’s original owners, who have continued to breed to him over the last couple of years – people like Debbie Kepitis, Francis and Christine Cook, and Linda and Graham Huddy.
“Along with Guy Mulcaster, Chris spotted this filly as a yearling, and all of those connections were very keen to get on board when he took her across the Tasman. We’re delighted that it’s turned out so well for them.
“I know that Chris is really happy with her and believes there could be some very nice races in her future, so it’s very exciting for everyone involved.
“Preferment also had a placegetter in New Zealand on the same day, with a first-starter finishing second at Tauranga – albeit beaten by almost 10l by an impressive Turn Me Loose filly (Stars ‘N’ Cream).
Smirk (NZ) as a yearling
“We’ve been quietly confident with the stallion’s progeny, and now we’re hoping it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
Preferment’s progeny have continued to be well-received at yearling sales, selling for up to NZ$280,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka in late January.
“We’ve been hearing such good things from trainers with Preferments in their stables, both here and in Australia,” King said. “For us, one of the most positive things has been how patient everybody has been with them. Being a son of Zabeel, that’s an approach that seems likely to reap rewards going forward.
“But for now, we’re just excited to have got that first winner done. It’s so important to have an early winner in Australia for the horse, because that’s certainly going to continue to be a huge part of his market.
“He’s served big books every year he’s been at stud, and we’ve been really pleased with how his progeny have sold, including very solid demand from Australia.
“He’s (Preferment) served big books every year he’s been at stud, and we’ve been really pleased with how his progeny have sold, including very solid demand from Australia." - Nick King
“Chris Waller has bought a number of them, and we see that as a real positive. Having such great knowledge of the stallion and how he raced himself, he’s going to be able to give his progeny every chance.
“So we’re pleased with how he’s progressing. He’s left some really nice horses, he’s got some great shareholders in him who are very happy with how things are going, and we’re looking forward to what lies ahead.”
