Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
One of the best 2-year-old fillies from last season broke through at the fifth time of asking, with the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Facile (Trapeze Artist) scoring a gusty victory in Race 1 at Warwick Farm.
Placed in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery, the G2 Sweet Embrace S. and the G2 Reisling S. at two, Facile was sent out as an odds-on favourite for the 1100-metre BM68 H.
With Tyler Schiller in the saddle, Facile was fast out of the gates and found the front early. She wasn’t given any peace, however, with the well-fancied Lost (Exceed And Excel) taking her on.
Facile kicked clear in the straight and looked set for a comfortable victory before the well-bred Joliestar (Zoustar) flashed home to reduce the margin to 0.56l.
“It was good. She’s got improvement in her, it’s seven months since she’s raced and she’s only had one jump-out and one trial,” Ryan told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“She had a little setback about six weeks ago, which is why she hasn’t run earlier.
“It was a nice race and you just like to see them do that.
“She’s a filly, I think, that won’t sit there and sprint, you’ve got to be rolling on her.
“She’s a nice filly, she’ll win better races.”
“She’s (Facile) a nice filly, she’ll win better races.” - Gerald Ryan
Bred by Vieira Group, she was offered by Widden Stud at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. The filly was bought by her trainers for $450,000 and is raced by an all-ladies’ syndicate, one that is managed by Aquis’ Racing and Bloodstock Manager Sally Williams. Facile races in the Aquis jacket with a pink cap.
Facile is the first foal of the 2018 Listed Reginald Allen Quality H. winner I Like It Easy (Pierro) - a Vieira homebred. That mare chalked up two victories during her career. The filly’s second dam, Gai’s Choice (General Nediym), posted seven wins, with her career highlight being her triumph in the Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic in 2012. Bert Vieira paid $81,000 for Widden Stud-consigned Gai’s Choice at the 2009 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. Gai’s Choice is a half-sister to the dual Listed victress Atmospherical (Northern Meteor) and the Listed winner Peron (Husson {Arg}) - the dam of the Group 3 scorer Juan Diva (Snitzel).
Facile as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Schiller echoed Ryan’s comments, confident Facile is better than a BM68 winner.
“I galloped her one day at Rosehill and she didn’t appreciate a soft track there. Back to her trial, I was much happier with her. She trialled with a horse (Arctic Glamour) that’s come out and won a really nice midweek (race),” said Schiller.
“She’s done a good job to put them away today (Monday).
“She’s (Facile) done a good job to put them away today (Monday).” - Tyler Schiller
“I think she’s got a lot of fight. She did a little bit of work to get across and then fired herself up a bit, which probably took away from her finish. She’s got a nice cruising speed, she quickened well and she’s got more in store.”
Facile is the fifth individual winner this season for Trapeze Artist, who stands at Widden Stud for $55,000 (inc GST). Trapeze Artist has two stakes triumphs to his credit in 2023/24, thanks to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Griff.
I Like It Easy’s unraced 2-year-old filly Elegant Artist (Trapeze Artist) has been retained by Vieira and she too is in the Ryan/Alexiou stable. The mare also has a yearling filly by Trapeze Artist on the ground and was covered by the Widden Stud resident last spring.
