Telemon Celebrate Crowning of Sidestep as Champion First Season Sire

Media Release - Thursday August 1
Telemon Thoroughbreds today paused to toast their Champion First Season sire SIDESTEP.

Joe Heather & SIDESTEP taking a selfie to commemorate the afternoon that KIAMICHI won the Group 1 Golden Slipper. The young son of EXCEED AND EXCEL adds the honour to his title of Champion 2YO Colt of 2013, and joins an illustrious group which, in preceding years, includes ZOUSTAR (2018), PIERRO (2017), SMART MISSILE (2016), HINCHINBROOK (2015), I AM INVINCIBLE (2014) and NORTHERN METEOR (2013).

ZOUSTAR, sire of superstar SUNLIGHT, was the only member of that group to exceed SIDESTEP'S first season prizemoney total.

SIDESTEP's first crop was headlined by multiple stakes winner KIAMICHI, winner of the Group 1 Golden Slipper and Group 3 Magic Night Stakes.

With KIAMICHI's win, SIDESTEP became the first sire since STRATUM to sire a Golden Slipper winner in his first crop.

In a phenomenal season, SIDESTEP placed fourth in the 2YO Sires table behind I AM INVINCIBLE, SNITZEL and his own illustrious sire EXCEED AND EXCEL, with the latter only passing him on the final day of the season.

SIDESTEP is currently a runaway leader on the First Season Sires table in France. If he can prevail as a dual hemisphere Champion First Season sire, it will be a history-making feat.

SIDESTEP having a play in his paddock during the recent filming of a 'Bred To Win' episode with Caroline Searcy to feature in the coming weeks on Sky Thoroughbred Central. Image courtesy of Searcy Media. The results of SIDESTEP's first crop have been a coup for Telemon Thoroughbreds which will stand him for a second season on its Queensland roster under an arrangement with Darley.

Telemon General Manager Joe Heather said:

"Being crowned Champion First Season Sire and producing the Golden Slipper winner from his first crop is a dream start.

"It is testament to the work of Darley where the foundation of his success was laid.

"SIDESTEP has enjoyed plenty of rest and relaxation in recent months, and after a few celebratory carrots today, will set his mind to easily his largest and highest quality book of mares yet."

Telemon owner Dan Fletcher said:

"We are so proud of what Sidestep has achieved.

"He has given us an amazing start at Telemon as well as justified the faith in him from Darley and those breeders that have sent mares to him across his first four years at stud.

"It is a coup for the Queensland breeding industry and a privilege for our farm to have another champion stallion in our ranks."

For more information on Telemon Thoroughbreds visit www.telemonstud.com.au
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday May 16
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
G1 Winner Affaire a Suivre Added to MM National Supplementary
The supplementary catalogue for the 2024 Magic Millions National Weanling and Broodmare Sales has been finalised with a further nine stakes performers among the latest confirmed entries.
Everest Rematch Looms at TSHA National Titles
We’re a week out from the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association National Titles at Stonewall Equestrian and with some 300 off the track thoroughbreds set to take part in the four day event (May 23 – 26) there are a lot of excited riders out there, me included!
Four for Sidestep
Friendless in betting, I Am Courage was sent off a $61 chance at his career debut but he cut a swathe through nine opponents in a QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap over 1050m at Toowoomba on Easter Monday to credit the First Season Sire frontrunner Sidestep with his fourth individual winner.
Can Lightning Strike Twice for Sidestep in Golden Slipper?
With nominations now in place for the 2020 Longines Golden Slipper, every owner and breeder can be forgiven for daydreaming about Australian racing and breeding’s most coveted prize.
First Winner for Pinatubo
The Champion European 2YO in 2019, Darley shuttler Pinatubo (IRE) has sired his first winner with the Karl Burke trained colt Andesite winning on debut at York overnight.
French Stakes-Winner for Sidestep
Exciting young sire Sidestep sired his first Northern Hemisphere stakes-winner overnight with promising two yea-rold colt Real Appeal winning the Listed Prix La Flèche at Maisons-Laffitte.
Pedigree Watch – UK 3YO- Classic and Sprint
The Group II Dante Stakes (1m2 ½ f) was run overnight with another favourite rolled and the winner not entered for the Epsom Derby, but his trainer William Haggas may supplement the Night of Thunder colt into the iconic Classic next month.
Best On Breeding
In times past, many a racing tragic would have nursed a sore head at Wallabadah on New Year’s Day.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There was an interesting set of trials at Rosehill on Friday morning with Brisbane Winter Carnival prospects In Secret and Schwarz both winning heats and there were also seven two year-old winners including unraced colts by Written Tycoon and Zoustar.