Cover image courtesy of Caroline Searcy
Spring racing takes centre stage on this week’s Bred to Win, with Caroline Searcy examining the breeding behind a host of feature winners across Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand.
She opens with a review of an exciting weekend of spring racing, including four Group 2 contests at Royal Randwick. Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) made an impressive return in the G2 Concorde Stakes, setting up another potential clash with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress), who also returned at Sha Tin with another track-record performance. Lindermann (Lonhro) defended his G2 Chelmsford Stakes crown, while Bangkok Hottie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Headley Grange (Exosphere) also claimed Group 2 honours. The program also looks at the Moir Stakes, where My Gladiola (I Am Invincible) secured a deserved Group 1 victory, alongside further stakes success for Pretty Baby (Barbados) and other emerging stars across Australia and New Zealand.
Pretty Baby (Ire) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The focus then turns to Coolmore Australia and the arrival of Delacroix (Ire), a dual Group 1-winning son of champion sire Dubawi. With a Timeform rating of 129 and an exceptional female family that includes his dam Tepin (Bernstein), a champion mare and dual Group 1 producer, Delacroix brings European class, athleticism and proven elite performance to the Australian stallion ranks. Caroline also visits South Australia’s Ducatoon Park Stud to meet Barbados, the beautifully bred son of Redoute’s Choice and Group 1-winning sprinter Virage de Fortune (Anabaa). Now 18, Barbados has overcome serious injury to establish a stud career, with talented filly Pretty Baby emerging as a terrific advertisement for his ability.
Ducatoon Park Stud | Image courtesy of Caroline Searcy
The episode also highlights the importance of maintaining a strong breeding industry across every Australian jurisdiction, with the Toole family continuing the tradition of thoroughbred breeding at Ducatoon Park despite the contraction of South Australia’s stud sector. Pretty Baby’s stakes success provides further encouragement, with the rising filly now heading towards bigger Group 1 targets. Rounding out the program is Stud Dogs of Australasia, featuring Boof, Ducatoon Park’s imposing but affectionate security guard and farm companion, whose daily duties include helping with the morning feed before settling into his role as the resident family watchdog.
