It's not often Team Coolmore are seen cheering for a
Redoute's Choice to win a Group I, but you can bet they were pleased to see
Lankan Rupee return to his best to win the Group I MVRC Manikato Stakes last
Friday night given they bought his dam at the Teeley Assets Reduction earlier
this year for $1,4 million.
A Group III winning daughter of Stravinsky (USA), Estelle Collection was one of
the most desired lots at the Teeley Sale, coming from the family of Group I
stars such as Lonhro, Niello, Mahaya, Grosvenor, Miss Keepsake, etc.
She was offered with a positive test to Redoute's Choice and delivered this lovely
bay colt at Coolmore on October 9.
"He's a big, strong, good-looking colt – very much in the mould of his
brother," said Michael Kirwan, General Manager for Coolmore Australia.
"She's one of the most desirable mares in the country and has already produced
a world-class horse, so this foal is a very valuable commodity."
While Lankan Rupee may be a gelding, this is undoubtedly a stallion producing
family and Coolmore will be hoping to nurture another superstar from this
pedigree in coming years.
Estelle Collection is set to be covered by Fastnet Rock and the resulting foal
will be bred on the exact same cross as four-time Group I winner Mosheen, who
is also by Fastnet Rock from a daughter of Stravinsky.
"Estelle Collection is tailor-made for Fastnet Rock," said Kirwan.
"She's inbred to the great mare Special with whom Fastnet Rock has developed an
incredibly strong affinity. Eight of his 18 Group I winners feature 'Special'
in their pedigree, so it's an incredibly exciting mating.
"Fastnet Rock is the best stallion in the country and the last couple of months
have served to demonstrate that most effectively. He's sired nine stakes
winners since the start of September and he's having an awesome season."
Another mare whose female family bristles with stallions is stakes-placed
Danehill (USA) mare Monsoon Wedding, who was also snaffled up by Coolmore from
the Teeley Dispersal for a sale-topping $2.3 million.
A full sister to Redoute's Choice, she has already left Group III winner
Precious Lorraine and stakes-winner Lucky Raquie and produced this typically
strong Pierro filly on October 7.
Coolmore have already taken a big stake in this all conquering family in
securing an interest in brilliant three year-old Encosta de Lago colt Rubick,
who will run this Saturday in the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes and in
returning Monsoon Wedding to the farm have taken another.
A three-quarter sister to the dam of Rubick, Monsoon Wedding carries the
Coolmore C on her shoulder and was foaled and raised at Coolmore for Mr
Yasseen.
At age 13, she is in prime condition with plenty of good years to come at stud
for her new owners.
"This is just a beautiful pedigree that keeps getting better and better with
Rubick having enhanced it further in recent weeks," said Kirwan.
"We've been looking forward to this foal in particular as soon as the mare was
scanned in-foal last season and she hasn't disappointed. She's produced a
really lovely filly, but it's nothing short of what we have come to expect of
the Pierro's.
"They are an outstanding line of foals and the reports from those elsewhere by
him have been similarly positive. Monsoon Wedding was a perfect mating for him
being a fast, Danehill mare, with same holding true for the likes of other
Danehill-line mares like Irish Lights, Aqua d'Amore, Sarasota, Pontiana and
co., each of whom also have cracking foals by him here on the farm. The future
couldn't be more exciting with him."