Cover image courtesy of Racing SA
Dubeneko is a daughter of Newgate’s son of Snitzel, Russian Revolution. The dual Group 1-winning entire continues to go from strength to strength this season, recently producing his first Group 1 winner when Communist scored in the G1 Randwick Guineas.
Glenn Burrows’ Willow Park Stud, based in New South Wales, bred the filly who is out of the Dream Ahead (USA) mare Happy Event, a three-time juvenile winner.
Happy Event and Dubenenko as a foal | Image courtesy of Williow Park Stud
“Happy Event caught my eye in a couple of Brisbane 2-year-old races.
“She showed a lot of speed, and I was keen to keep following her. She was unplaced in a Group 3 in Melbourne, and I made a substantial offer on her, which was accepted,” said Burrows.
“I bought her as a racing and breeding prospect and sent her to Matt Dale; she pulled up with an issue in her only start for us and never raced again.
“I’ve always liked the family she’s from, and she is the most beautiful mare to look at and has a temperament to match.”
“I’ve always liked the family she’s (Happy Event) from, and she is the most beautiful mare to look at and has a temperament to match.” - Glenn Burrows
Dubenenko was consigned by Willow Park Stud to the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, a win would provide a timely boost for both the sale and the vendor on the eve of this year’s event.
Burrows told TDN AusNZ, “We thought we’d give the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale a try, but we needed a highlight lot for our draft to get attention, and we thought Dubenenko would do the job.
“She is a beautiful athletic filly... named after a model, apparently.”
Dubenenko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Dubenenko went through the ring as Lot 159 and was sold to Chris Bieg and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds for $100,000. The average price at the 2022 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale was $57,900.
Bieg admits, “I didn’t even know what horse she (Dubenenko) was, I just saw her walking, and she stood out.
“She was a neat, small type with a lovely walk and a strong shoulder. When I found out she was by Russian Revolution, it was even better,” Bieg told TDN AusNZ.
“She (Dubenenko) was a neat, small type with a lovely walk and a strong shoulder. When I found out she was by Russian Revolution, it was even better.” - Chris Bieg
“She was that nice of a type; I had to pay double the average that year.”
Brentknoll Thoroughbreds, managed by Tim Lillie, is quickly becoming one of South Australia’s most prominent owners, with Bieg at the forefront of training his fleet of runners.
“I met Tim at a function in Murray Bridge for the Cup about four years ago; he asked me, ‘If you had a nice 2-year-old, who would you send it to?’ and I replied, ‘Me!’’’
“Our association grew from there, and we have several nice 2-year-olds and yearlings we purchased this year that I am thrilled with. We plan to buy at the Adelaide sale next week.
“And of course, Diamonds, who has just returned to work and will target the G1 Sangster S. in Adelaide later this year,” Bieg said.
Chris Bieg and Dubenenko | Image courtesy of Racing SA
Dubenenko is Happy Event's third foal, her first being the Sebring filly Bless Her Soul who broke her maiden at Cranbourne in October last year, sadly she lost her second foal a Not A Single Doubt filly after birth.
Bieg and Brentknoll Thoroughbreds clearly have an appetite for the family as they went to $130,000 for Happy Event's yearling filly by Too Darn Hot (GB) at this year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Happy Event has since been served by All Too Hard last season after missing to Wootton Bassett (GB) and So You Think (NZ) the year prior.
Dubenenko’s debut was at Murray Bridge in a maiden in October last year, where she received a warning from stewards for pre-race behavior before finishing fourth.
However, Bieg puts that down to being new, “It was a busy day and a filly having a first start, she was learning, she has a beautiful temperament usually.”
Dubenenko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Willow Park Stud/ Lisa Richards
Taken straight to Melbourne for the G3 Ottawa S. she was unlucky not to have finished closer, “Tommy Berry got off her and said, ‘She has a bright future, just no luck today’,” Bieg said.
Sent to the paddock for a freshen-up after being placed in the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic, Dubenenko returned with the team’s eye on the G1 Blue Diamond S.
Breaking her maiden in a four-horse field at Morphettville Parks saw the filly head to the Caulfield feature a 100-1 outsider. However, in a race full of hard-luck stories, she was arguably one of the biggest, finishing sixth and beaten by just over 2l.
Bieg liked what he saw.
“The way she hit the line; she was so strong.”
It will be the filly’s first time out to 1400 metres but connections are confident the distance won’t be an issue.
“The Sires’ Produce wasn’t on the radar until that run in the Diamond, but I always felt from her work, she would get over further; she’s just such a relaxed filly,” Bieg told TDN AusNZ.
“Craig Williams will take the ride on Saturday and is very aware of what he has underneath him. We are very excited!”
“Craig Williams will take the ride on Saturday and is very aware of what he has underneath him. We are very excited!” - Chris Bieg
A win in Saturday’s G2 Sires’ Produce S. will be justification and well-deserved for everybody involved throughout the filly’s career.
Burrows told TDN AusNZ ahead of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale next week, “It would mean a lot to us if she can win. She’s a lovely filly and was a favourite with all the staff.
“I bought the dam’s half-sister Leisa Louise by Dundeel; she’s in foal to Wild Ruler and to be sold at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May, so it would be an enormous boost if Dubenenko can get the job done in a Group 2.”
