‘Filly of the Year’ Wins Vinery

At the 2013 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale I fell hopelessly in love with a High Chaparral (IRE) filly from blue-blooded Zabeel mare Deedra and there was nobody happier than me when Fenway opened her Group I account with a stylish victory in the ATC Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

You seldom see a horse that matches her pedigree page as perfectly as Fenway and lo and behold she has ability as well!

Prepared by Lee and Shannon Hope, Fenway has been given time to mature and patience delivered its just rewards on Saturday.

Stepping up to 2000 metres at her third run back from a spell, Fenway was expected to be competitive with a view to the upcoming ATC Australian Oaks, but few thought she could beat the favourites at set weights given her only previous win was in a Bendigo maiden on debut last year.

Ridden a beautiful race by Blake Shinn, who was recently dumped as the rider of race favourite First Seal, Fenway travelled sweetly throughout and kicked clear down the running.

She packed too much punch for First Seal (Fastnet Rock), who chased gallantly but failed to catch Fenway by a short neck with high class staying filly Thunder Lady (Mastercraftsman (IRE) third to give Coolmore sires the trifecta.

Shinn was emotional after the win as it was a triumph for his family as Lee Hope is his step father.

"It's the first Group I winner for the family, although it's a shame Lee isn't here as he's at home at Kilmore doing all the work," he said.

Shannon Hope was on hand to greet the filly on her return to scale.

"It's a great feeling to get that first Group One," he said.

"She ticked all the boxes coming in.

"There's not a lot of her and she'll be better in six months, but she's done really well since she's been here.

"She'll run 2400 no worries and provided she pulls up well, she'll go to the Oaks."

A $700,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Colm Santry Bloodstock from the Strawberry Hill Stud draft, Fenway runs for Greg and Jenny White's Alpara Lodge and has won two of six starts earning just shy of $300,000 in prizemoney.

"She has an amazing pedigree and even more importantly had the amazing physical conformation as well," said Colm Santry.

"Greg and Jenny White entrusted me to find them a filly and I thought she was the filly of the year."

Fenway was the most expensive yearling by High Chaparral sold in 2013 and comes from John Singleton's favourite family, which does make you wonder how he could bring himself to part with her!

Fenway is a half-sister to Group III winning sprinter War and is the second foal of the minor winning Zabeel mare Deedra, a half-sister to Group I stars Tuesday Joy and Sunday Joy, the dam of champion mare More Joyous.

This is a very tightly held female family that seldom sees its female members offered at public auction, so it's no wonder this opportunity was seized with both hands by Colm Santry, who purchases comparatively few yearlings for clients but counts Group I winners Sacred Choice and Costa Viva among his purchases along with the likes of Shania Dane, Zizou, Indian Ocean and Tavarnelle.

Deedra has a yearling filly by More Than Ready (USA) that has been retained and was sent to the Northern Hemisphere last year to be covered by champion racehorse Frankel, a mating that is along similar lines to that which produced Fenway – Frankel being a grand-son of Sadler's Wells and High Chaparral a son of the legendary sire.

Fenway is the 64^th stakes-winner for High Chaparral and is his 13^thGroup I winner.

No longer with us, after dying prematurely last year, High Chaparral has a great draft of 15 for Inglis Easter that are sure to be in hot demand.

Footnote: High Chaparral also had a juvenile stakes-winner earlier today with Last Bullet taking out the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes, click here to read about it.