Diamond delivers timely result for Golden Grove Stud

Cover image courtesy of Golden Grove

With Little Brose (Per Incanto {USA}) first across the line and Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel {Ire}) third, Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond S. (1200 metres) was a huge result for co-trainers Ben Hayes and JD Hayes.

It rewarded the brothers, who are heading up the famed Lindsay Park training operation in father David’s absence, their second elite-level victory together and first in one of Australia’s time-honoured races. Furthermore, it was the family’s 10th Diamond triumph overall, after grandfather Colin won the race on three occasions, and David lifted the trophy on six occasions.

Another business celebrating after the Diamond was Golden Grove Stud, which is owned by well-known racing identity Viv Oldfield.

The Denman-based farm, whose flag-bearer is the great Nature Strip (Nicconi) - a horse they bred - returns this week to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for the first time since 2019. Their absence the past three years was a result of a number of factors, including drought and COVID.

Golden Grove Stud will offer 10 yearlings (five fillies, five colts) and two of them are by the Diamond-winning sire Per Incanto (USA). Moreover, Lot 478 - their Per Incanto colt from I Got A Rock (Fastnet Rock) - is closely related to Arkansaw Kid.

Golden Grove Stud manager, Grant Mackay, told TDN AusNZ the Diamond provided a significant and well-timed pedigree boost for those yearlings.

“It was great, I think it will definitely lift them up,” Mackay said.

“It couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We’re hoping it will do a lot for them (the yearlings), the client and the farm.”

Per Incanto’s rise has been quite remarkable. From modest beginnings (he started out for Little Avondale Stud at a service fee NZ$4000 plus GST), he has sired 27 stakes winners, 19 of those Group winners and six scoring in top company.

In 2020/21, he won the Hong Kong Sires’ Premiership by winners with 17 individual winners combining for 30 wins, before repeating the dose, claiming his second successive title with 19 winners tallying 30 wins. Per Incanto is currently second in that category with nine winners and 10 wins.

“You’ve got to be happy with him; he started from a low base and is really kicking goals,” said Mackay.

“His past few seasons have been very impressive and hopefully there’s more success to come.”

A couple of quality yearlings

Golden Grove Stud’s first Per Incanto yearling (Lot 277) is slated to go through the ring at Oaklands on Monday morning.

The filly is the second foal out of the Group 3 victress Aspen Lass (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}), who chalked up five wins during her career.

The stakes performer Tief (NZ) (Viking Ruler) is the filly’s second dam and she is a half-sister to the Listed winner Silver Barron (Defensive Play {USA}) and the Listed placegetter Big Doug (NZ) (Defensive Play {USA}).

“She’s a really nice type; she’s got a good shoulder, a good hip and she’s just been a real pleasure to have in the draft. She’s very easy to deal with,” Mackay explained.

“She and the (Per Incanto) colt flew over from New Zealand in December, from their owner over there, and they’ve handled it really well; they’ve both kicked on since they’ve been in the Hunter (Valley).

“She’s got a pretty good page to back her up, too.”

The Per Incanto-I Got A Rock colt boasts a strong pedigree, full of black type.

His dam was a two-time winner, while his grandam, Bush Honey (Woodman {USA}), won nine races, including the 2005 G3 Gosford Cup. The latter is a half-sister to the Group 1 scorer Shindig (NZ) (Straight Strike {USA}) and she has thrown the Group 1 hero Shinzig and the dual Listed winner Strada.

Other stakes winners on the page include Hawkshot (Fiorente {Ire}), Flying Crazy (Flying Artie), Garibaldi (I Am Invincible), and of course, Arkansaw Kid, whose grandam is Shindig.

“To have Arkansaw Kid run third in the Blue Diamond was terrific, everything is lining up for him nicely,” Mackay commented.

“He kicked on in the prep and had a little growth spurt, which he needed.

“He’s a very, very nice colt and hopefully the buyers see what we see in him.”

Others to watch

Mackay has high hopes for Lot 93 - a Shamus Award colt from the two-time winner Sacred Walk (NZ) (Pins). The dam is a half-sister to the Listed winner Turner Bayou (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

His second dam, the Redoute’s Choice mare Classy Choice, won over 1800 metres and is a half-sister to a former star mare in Devil Moon (King Cugat {USA}), who won the G1 Turnbull S. in 2007.

“He’s our only Shamus Award in the draft and he’s a really strong type, he’s got a lovely hindquarter and lovely shoulder on him,” Mackay explained.

Aquis Farm’s first-crop sire Pierata has been very popular in his freshman year, with his progeny averaging $247,500 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Golden Grove Stud will offer Lot 242 - a Pierata filly out of the stakes performer With A Bit Of Dash (Dash For Cash).

“She’s a lovely type out of a stakes-performing mare and I think she’ll be well-received,” Mackay remarked.

Gallery: Some of Golden Grove's yearlings to be offered at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, images courtesy of Inglis

Lot 741, who will feature in Tuesday’s Showcase Session, is the first foal, a colt, from the unraced Lonhro mare Eshq, by Kermadec (NZ).

The Group 1 winner Rewaaya (NZ) (Singspiel {Ire}), who is a half-sibling to the stakes performers Bedhrah (Redoute’s Choice) and Almoneef (Elusive Quality {USA}), is the colt’s grandam.

“He’s a really nice Kermadec colt,” said Mackay.

“This is the first time the owner is selling a horse, so we’re hoping for a positive result.”