Cover image courtesy of Race Photos
On Friday, it was announced that the next chapter in the life of Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) will be written. Her ownership group revealed that the dual Group 1 winner would be presented at a special standalone public auction on Gavelhouse Plus, running from Friday, August 2 to Thursday, August 8.
Prowess was retired last December due to a degenerative hoof issue. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, the daughter of Proisir won eight races. She made a winning debut over 1200 metres at Wanganui as a 2-year-old in April and then returned to the track in September, winning on the Cambridge Synthetic.
Prowess (NZ)
In her third start, Prowess stepped up to stakes class, finishing second to another star daughter of Proisir, Legarto (NZ), in the G3 Soliloquy S. She was also beaten by Romancing The Moon (El Roca), a subsequent Group 1 winner, on that occasion.
Prowess then tackled the colts in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, finishing third behind Pier (NZ) (Proisir) and another subsequent Group 1 winner, Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai).
Resuming in January, Prowess won the G2 Auckland Guineas with the Group 1 winner Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) finishing second. She then triumphed in the R. Listed Karaka 3YO Classic, and was peerless in the G3 Ellis Fillies Classic, winning by 5l.
Memories to cherish
The family syndicate headed by Dean Skipper experienced the ride of a lifetime when Prowess took on the older horses in the G1 Bonecrusher over 2050 metres. Despite her relative inexperience, she defeated the star mares in Campionessa (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) and La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}).
Heading across the Tasman to take on the Aussies in the G1 Vinery Stud S., Prowess was magnificent, winning by 3.32l from Pavitra (American Pharoah {USA}) and the G1 Golden Slipper S. victress Fireburn (Rebel Dane).
Prowess was off the scene until October, where she resumed with a second-placed effort in the G3 Taranaki Breeders’ S. Her final hurrah came in the G2 Crystal Mile at the famous Moonee Valley in October before her retirement was announced in December.
She retires as the Champion Middle Distance Horse in New Zealand in 2022/23 and provided a lifetime of memories for her owners and trainers.
“Prowess has taken us on an amazing ride and it’s definitely a shame that it’s coming to an end,” Dean Skipper said in a press release.
“We have some mixed emotions about putting her up for sale. But the way we look at it is that we were just so fortunate to have had one as good as her, and now she’s ready to go on to the next stage of her career.
“Prowess has taken us on an amazing ride and it’s definitely a shame that it’s coming to an end.” - Dean Skipper
“She’s fit, well, and a happy horse. She could probably have even made it back to the racetrack if we wanted to wait a bit longer. But she’s at a premium stage of her life to start her breeding career now, and we always set it up so that we would sell her at around this time and have her in the best possible condition for that.
“Prowess gave us some incredible memories, and now we’re looking forward to seeing what she can do in the broodmare paddock.”
All Kiwi girl
Bred by Hallmark Stud, Prowess was a NZ$230,000 purchase by Roger James and Robert Wellwood from the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka. The daughter of Champion Sire Proisir was the fourth foal from the Don Eduardo (NZ) mare Donna Marie (NZ).
Prowess is a half-sister to the Listed-placed Ajay Tee (NZ) (Foxwedge). Donna Marie then had a colt by El Roca, now gelded and named Newborn Miracle (NZ), he was unraced. A full sister to Prowess was presented at this year’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and was purchased for NZ$1.6 million by Moody Racing, subsequently named Seychelles (NZ).
Prowess (NZ) as a yearling | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Donna Marie foaled a filly by Rich Hill Stud’s Proisir in the spring and returned to the Champion Sire.
Prowess retired with eight victories from 12 starts and over $1.4 million in earnings. Her sale on Gavelhouse serves as an opportunity for buyers from all corners of the world to compete for the daughter of Proisir.
For Gavelhouse’s General Manager, Haylie Martin, this is a significant coup for the New Zealand industry to offer such a illustrious mare.
“Prowess retired with eight victories from 12 starts and over $1.4 million in earnings. Her sale on Gavelhouse serves as an opportunity for buyers from all corners of the world to compete for the daughter of Proisir.”
“It’s wonderful to see Prowess come full circle, having been bought through the Karaka Sale ring to now being offered for sale virtually via New Zealand Bloodstock’s subsidiary, Gavelhouse Plus,” Martin told TTR AusNZ.
“Since receiving the news that we had been chosen to sell her, it’s been evident just how treasured Prowess is by the Skipper family. We are thrilled that Dean and Janie are keeping it Kiwi and putting their faith in us.
“Prowess is looking fantastic at Mark and Shelley Treweek’s Lyndhurst Farm in Cambridge, and we all look forward to showing her off over the next few weeks.”
