Before they were famous: She’s Extreme

Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

In this series, TDN AusNZ will take a look at Group 1 runners before they were successful on the racetrack; speaking to breeders, race educators and trainers on their formative years. Today, we take a look at the Willow Park Stud-raised, dual Group 1-winning daughter of Extreme Choice, She's Extreme.

She's Extreme

Extreme Choice x Keysbrook (So Secret)

The Stud - Willow Park Stud

TDN AusNZ: What was She’s Extreme like as a weanling/yearling, did she have any mannerisms or traits?

Jade Rossington: She arrived to us in the winter of 2020, she was always a straightforward filly that was easy to do anything with.

TDN AusNZ: Did she have any paddock mates growing up?

JR: Fast Star! (Zoustar x Fast Fleet), who won her first start very impressively in July, with time she will only get better.

TDN AusNZ: Could you foresee her success early on?

JR: Not necessarily. Physically, I wouldn’t have picked her to be the superstar 2-year-old she was, she looked like she needed time. Mentally though, she was always very switched on, loved her work and wasn’t a temperamental filly at all.

TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us how She’s Extreme was through her yearling prep? Was she a standout through her prep? Why?

JR: I wouldn’t say she was a standout, but it was always noted how she loved her work, loved going in the lunge ring, moved beautifully. Had a terrific temperament, like her dam, who we had for about a year before selling her carrying her first foal. She’s Extreme had two yearling preps, with only a brief paddock break in the middle, and she was always a great filly to handle.

Trainer - Anthony Cummings

TDN AusNZ: What was your first impression of She’s Extreme, either at the on-farm visits or at the sale?

Anthony Cummings: While she was sold through the Inglis Easter sale, she had been catalogued for the Magic Millions as well. I was going around to various farms looking at Magic Millions horses (it was COVID time and it was unlikely that we would be going to the Gold Coast). I was impressed with her at that time and had planned to try and buy her there. She was subsequently withdrawn as she had an x-ray issue that needed attention. That was done and she duly arrived at Inglis Easter and looked all the better for the time.

TDN AusNZ: What was She’s Extreme's temperament like at the sale, were there any qualities that helped in the decision to purchase her?

AC: She is generally quiet but does have an 'edge'.

TDN AusNZ: Can you please explain She’s Extreme physically as a yearling?

AC: She was different from December to April, naturally enough. She had gone from a compact type to a filly that stood over much more ground. Still strong and still a good mover.

TDN AusNZ: Is She’s Extreme a team favourite?

AC: Yes.

TDN AusNZ: How soon did you see something special in She’s Extreme?

AC: It was there at sale time and grew with every step in her education.

TDN AusNZ: Can you remember what your race educator/pre-trainers/work riders thought of her?

AC: She was broken in at Cadman Lodge, Mount Hunter, near Camden. She has impressed all who have handled her, both there and from her first arrival in the stables.

TDN AusNZ: Did you always expect She’s Extreme to run early as a 2-year-old?

AC: I did from my first inspection. She had changed shape by the Easter sales and looked less likely to be a 2-year-old, but that early impression stayed with me.

TDN AusNZ: You paid $275,000 for She’s Extreme as a yearling at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, was this what you were expecting to pay for her?

AC: It was around the money. Extreme Choice had had a few good horses appear on the scene, much more than in January and she was a good sort. She had to bring decent money.