Lot 379 – Sword Of State x Valmur (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) filly
Buyer: Ballymore Racing NZ Ltd / Paul Moroney Bloodstock / Catheryne Bruggeman
Vendor: Wentwood Grange
Price: NZ$80,000
First season sire Sword Of State has enjoyed a strong sale with 17 of his 19 yearlings through the ring so far finding homes at an average price of NZ$182,900, and it is his filly, Lot 379, who commanded great buying and for an interesting reason.
“I did something I’ve never done before, (which is) purchase a horse with a parrot mouth, probably at the extreme end also, outside of the norm,” said Paul Moroney.
“But she was such a stunning, good-bodied filly. So I was willing to overlook the mouth. Sometimes horses with parrot mouths will have issues eating but she had such a good girth, good substance and a good middle.”
“She (Lot 379) was such a stunning, good-bodied filly. So I was willing to overlook the mouth. Sometimes horses with parrot mouths will have issues eating but she had such a good girth, good substance and a good middle.” - Paul Moroney
“We thought she was in the top two of best bodied fillies in the sale. She has good square hindquarters, great rein and she moved well.”
Lot 379 is the second foal of Valmur (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who won twice in New Zealand. Her first foal, 3-year-old filly Marriage Vows (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) is unraced.
“At our second look, Paul O’Sullivan a good mate came with us and had a look, and he trained Cure that won the 1000 Guineas. She was a parrot mouth, and Paul mentioned she was similar and Dulcify was as bad. He knew that, as Shivaree ran second to Dulcify in the Cox Plate.”
Paul Moroney | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Cure (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}) won the 1985 G1 NZ 1000 Guineas, trained by Paul’s father Dave, who also trained Shivaree (NZ) (Sharivari {USA}) who won three Group 1 races and was second to Dulcify (NZ) (Decies {GB}) in both the 1979 G1 Cox Plate and G1 LKS Mackinnon Stakes.
“Me and Catheryne do the whole buying process together, we are business partners and she is a great judge. Between me and Catheryne, we had five looks between us, and then two together and one on sale morning. She was the second best bodied filly in the sale.”
“Me and Catheryne (Bruggeman) do the whole buying process together, we are business partners and she is a great judge. Between me and Catheryne, we had five looks between us, and then two together and one on sale morning. She was the second best bodied filly in the sale.” - Paul Moroney
Valmur is a half-sister to Listed St Leger winner Ritzy Lady (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), who is the dam of recent Group 1 winner Snazzytavi (NZ) (Tavistock [NZ}).
“In the pedigree it appears that the better horses close up are middle distance horses, but later on there is speed, blistering speed. I’m confident she will come early, and be a 1200-metre horse that can stretch to the mile.”
Listed Geelong Classic winner Grand Pierro (Pierro) also features under this filly’s second dam, as does last season’s G1 New Zealand Derby-placed Andalus (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}), while further back, under the third dam, the G1 CF Orr Stakes winner Manuel (Commands) features.
