Fresh Eyes Find Value

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday July 9
A change of scene can put a new perspective on a sire and the Smart Missile example has been lost on nobody, which is why we're looking with fresh eyes on this stallion, who packed his bags and departed the Hunter Valley earlier this year.

Foxwedge is the sire of 41 stakes horsesWith record VOBIS bonuses and successful new initiatives such as the $1million Showdown race for Victorian sired two year-olds, the Victorian stallion ranks have become very competitive and while Written Tycoon ($110,000 fee) stands head and shoulders above the pack followed by young gun Brazen Beau ($49,500), the middle market below that takes some deciphering to find real value.

New to Woodside Park Stud this year, proven sire Foxwedge fits the bill for value as a well proven source of winners and stakes-winners headed by an impressive three Group I winners in Foxplay, Volpe Veloce and Urban Fox.

With his oldest progeny just five year-olds, Foxwedge has produced 41 stakes horses in both hemispheres and this season in Australia has sired 90 winners of nearly $5million in prizemoney.

Those winners this season include classy Group II winning mares Noire and Alassio as well as stakes-winner Stella Victoria, while classy Group III placed three year-old filly Into the Abyss looms as an almost certain stakes-winner for the season ahead.

G2 winner Noire has won over $500,000 in prizemoneyAstute trainer Gerald Ryan has always had a huge wrap on two year-old filly Villami, who was the most expensive yearling by Foxwedge sold in 2018 when fetching $425,000 at the Magic Millions.

She won brilliantly on debut at Rosehill in February, before struggling on the heavy ground in the Group II ATC Magic Night Stakes and then bounced back to finish a close third in the $1million Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes to Anaheed.

Villami is the sort of filly with type, talent and pedigree that could see her go a very long way in the season ahead.

Foxwedge featured in South Africa last weekend when Australian bred Infamous Fox won his second Black Type race and he's not the only good one in the region for his sire. 


Undefeated 3YO filly Run Fox Run is a rising star sprinter in South AfricaOne star Foxwedge filly we may have missed out on in Australia is undefeated Run Fox Run, who has raced up a storm in South Africa this season winning all four of her starts to date including the Listed Olympic Duel Stakes at Kenilworth.

A $420,000 Inglis Easter purchase for South African trainer Brett Crawford, three year-old Run Fox Run is one of the most promising sprinters in South Africa.

A refined, good looking son of Fastnet Rock, Foxwedge was an expensive yearling himself bought for $925,000 at Inglis Easter in 2010.

Good looks, an even temperament and natural ability translated into Group I success on the track.


For those who may have forgotten, Foxwedge raced in a great era of truly world class sprinters and was fourth to Black Caviar, Hay List and Buffering in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes, third in the Group I VRC Newmarket Handicap to Hay List and Buffering and then defeated that mighty duo when winning the Group I MVRC William Reid Stakes at WFA.


Foxwedge has imparted his brilliance and quality to his offspring to carve out a highly successful career at stud that is about to move into a new phase.

Foxwedge was the Champion Second Season Sire in 2016/2017 and as a result covered a strong book of mares that spring meaning he has a terrific crop of 110 weanlings in the pipeline.




Priced at $16,500 this spring, Foxwedge is not only a proven Group I sire, but a sire with considerable upside as by the time breeders are selling yearlings bred this year, those weanlings will be three year-olds and it's not hard to think this stellar crop can deliver further Group I success.

"We drove Henry Field mad for six months get Foxwedge," said new owner Eddie Hirsch.

"He is a proven sire, ideally suited to Victoria and the VOBIS Scheme. I am sending at least half a dozen of my better mares to him."

Foxwedge stands at Woodside Park Stud, click here for more details.



Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 15
Here is the full list of 39 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King Charles III new patron for NZTBA
The New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association is delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III is their new patron.
NZB Ready To Run Sale Sale-Topper Breaks Maiden at Canterbury
Narrowly defeated at his career debut at Kembla on April 27, the 2-year-old Star Turn colt Megastar Heart went one better in the Golden Mile @ Darley Hcp (1400m) at Canterbury.
Calyx Filly Husk Breaks Maiden at Sandown
Third on a heavy track at Warwick Farm when on debut last December, the 2-year-old Calyx filly Husk made the trip south to break her maiden in Wednesday's Sportsbet Fast Form Hcp (1000m) at Sandown-Hillside.
Blueblood Filly Wins for Peachester Lodge
Graham and Linda Huddy of Peachester Lodge are the biggest and most passionate sponsors of the Thoroughbred Sport Horse National Titles show at Stonewall Equestrian next week and their colours were in the winner’s circle at Randwick on Wednesday carried by blueblood filly Wild Gypsy.
Star Kiwi Foxwedge Mare Primed for G2 Theo Marks
Group One winner Volpe Veloce will have the opportunity to continue an impressive streak when she lines-up in the Group II  Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
NZ Eventer Annabel Tuthill Turns Her Hand to Racing
Former New Zealand eventer Annabel Tuthill has added another string to her equine bow by taking out her thoroughbred trainer’s license.
$730,000 Parmalove Tops Inglis Digital
A rollercoaster week of emotions for Gus Wigley and the Inglewood Stud team ended on a high tonight when Parmalove realised a sale-high $730,000 in the Inglis Digital May (Early) Online Sale.
Zoustar 2YO Salutes at Cambridge
The decision to bypass a trial opportunity with I’m All In proved on the money when the youngster successfully resumed on his home course.
Back to Stakes Class for This Filly
The most impressive winner at Ipswich today was a filly by one of the most under-rated sires in the country.