Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
The yearling colt Rediener looked like an auction house’s dream acquisition on paper being just one of 23 live foals from the final crop of the much-missed Champion Sire, Redoute’s Choice. Rediener’s dam, Wiener, was the daughter of the outstanding and influential More Than Ready (USA).
If that wasn’t enough, Wiener was placed in the Listed Gimcrack S. and is a half-sister to the four-time Champion Sire Snitzel and the late Group 1-producing sire Hinchinbrook. The mare was already a proven producer, as the dam of the Listed-winning juvenile Rathlin (Fastnet Rock).
It all read like a dream for the prominent owners and breeders Neil Werrett of Werrett Bloodstock and Max Whitby of Whitby Bloodstock.
Rediener (green with red and white checker-striped cap), winner of the G1 Epsom H. on Saturday | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
There was only one issue: Werrett and Whitby received advice that the yearling wouldn’t sell if he was to be offered at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“He (Rediener) was withdrawn from the sale because he was very small, and the advice was he wouldn’t sell because of it,” Werrett told The Thoroughbred Report.
Waller scores Rediener
Therefore, Werrett and Whitby elected to keep the son of Redoute’s Choice and send him to the master trainer, Chris Waller.
Werrett, a keen believer in the power of pedigrees and nicks, had no reservations in sending Wiener to the king of Arrowfield Stud - Redoute’s Choice; despite his accolades and achievements, he was in the twilight of his career in 2018 and was an untimely passing the following year in March.
It might seem odd that anyone would hesitate to send a mare to such a significant influence on the Australian thoroughbred. However, arguably, some commercial breeders tend to swerve to the younger models.
Redoute's Choice
“There was no concern with the age of Redoute’s Choice and sending Wiener to him.
“We’d gone to Redoute’s Choice a few years back with the same mare, and the cross genetically made the resultant progeny very closely related to Snitzel.
“The decision was made on pedigree, and Redoute’s Choice had been one of Australia's best sires of all time.”
“The decision (for mating Wiener) was made on pedigree, and Redoute’s Choice had been one of Australia's best sires of all time.” - Neil Werrett
Rediener, under the traineeship of Chris Waller, won his second start at Warwick Farm and contested the G3 Carbine Club S. and the G3 Spring S. in the spring of his 3-year-old season. Despite showing ability, the colt was a bit of a slow-burn and the advice was to geld Rediener.
Werrett and Whitby duly agreed, and the colt became a gelding. It was a momentous charge, and almost instantly, they were awarded with Rediener winning the G3 Gunsynd Classic in Brisbane.
Neil Werrett | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The breed can be slow-maturing. Now he’s won an Epsom. I’d love to know what he would have been worth, but unfortunately, until he was gelded, he didn’t show his very best.
“Since we have gelded Rediener, he has rarely been beaten. It was the right thing to geld him, and you can’t go back and change the decision, but I wish he’d shown his best without the operation.”
Epsom plan works out
Waller set his sights on the prestigious Epsom H. after Rediener scored the Gunsynd Classic during the winter, and the change of form gave Werrett and his connections some confidence they had a live hope in the Group 1.
“He nearly should be undefeated since he’s been gelded. And arguably, he should have won at Gosford a few back when he’d come from last and got interfered with.
“He’s won six of his last seven starts, including the Epsom and the Bill Ritchie. It’s incredible, really.
“Max (Whitby) and I have to thank Chris (Waller) and his team. They have spent a lot of time and patience to get Rediener right.
“And if Rediener hadn’t drawn an inside barrier, he would have been going to another race. But it was a fantastic effort when he drew so well, and Kathy O’Hara just sat on him behind the field.
“It is an amazing combination of Kathy and Chris’ work, so we’re grateful. Kudos to Kathy. She has ridden him perfectly for the last two, and I know she’s thrilled, as are we.”
Kathy O'Hara, Max Whitby and Chris Waller after winning the G1 Epsom H. on Saturday | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
In putting his name on the vast Epsom H. honour roll, Rediener becomes his late but great sire's 40th individual Group 1 winner.
Eye on the future
Rediener’s dam Wiener passed away last April but has left an unraced filly by The Autumn Sun named La Belle Vie in training with Waller and an unnamed colt by Fastnet Rock.
“Wiener reacted to a cortisone injection. So sadly, we lost her. But Max and I own La Belle Vie, and like the rest of the breed, she is taking some time to mature.
“They don’t really mature until they’re three and four. But she’s bred like Rediener with the Redoute’s Choice over the More Than Ready mare which has been a successful combination, and The Autumn Sun is a son of Redoute’s.”
“They don’t really mature until they’re three and four. But she’s bred like Rediener with the Redoute’s Choice over the More Than Ready mare which has been a successful combination, and The Autumn Sun is a son of Redoute’s.” - Neil Werrett
Werrett indicated that Rediener would likely head towards the $10 million Golden Eagle restricted to 4-year-olds.
“Max and I just appreciate the whole team at Waller Racing and applaud Kathy’s great ride.”
