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 64th stakes-winner for High Chaparral and is his 13thGroup 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.