Bred in Australia by Kia Ora Stud, Redoute’s Choice stallion Elzaam has certainly had a different life to the majority of Redoute’s Choice colts foaled in this country, but he joined the long list of his sire sons to have produced a Group I winner when his three year-old filly Champers Elysees won the Group I Matron Stakes (1m) at Leopardstown
Undefeated this year, the Johnny Murtagh trained filly has reeled off four consecutive wins rising from a handicap win, to a Listed win, to a Group III success and finally her big moment.
She powered to a length and a quarter win over Group I winning fillies Peaceful (Galileo) and Fancy Blue (Deep Impact) to take her overall record to five wins and three placings from nine starts.
“She was always a good filly and I did think she'd make up into a stakes filly. The amount she has improved is unbelievable. She has improved a lot physically and she's now started to know she's good,” said Murtagh.
“When those fillies start improving there is no end to them. I don't know where next as this was the main plan. I suppose the Sun Chariot in Newmarket is there, it's fillies only again and I wouldn't mind staying in with the fillies.
“There is also a chance to go over to the Breeders' Cup Mile. We'll sit down, enjoy tonight, and then make a plan about where to go next. The Breeders' Cup is an option and a mile around there would suit her down to the ground as she's quick and has a great turn of foot.”
Champers Elysees was bought by her trainer for 28,000 euros from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and is the best of three winners from La Cuvee, a half-sister by Mark of Esteem to Group III winner She’s Bat and stakes-winner Cask.
Elzaam was foaled in Australia to Northern Hemisphere time so was sent as a yearling back to Europe and was offered at the 2009 Arqana Yearling Sale in France where he was bought by Shadwell for 280,000 euros.
He proved a successful racehorse winning a Listed race as well as finishing second in the Group II Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes and fourth in the Group I Royal Ascot Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Retired to stud at Ballyhane Stud in Ireland, Elzaam has managed to achieve considerable success from limited opportunities and in 2020 stood for a fee of 4,000 euros.
Champers Elysees is the best of his four stakes-winners and his first Group I winner.
Elzaam shuttled back to Australia for one season in 2013, but covered just 35 mares at a fee of $10,000 leaving 21 foals, 14 of which have raced and 11 have won.
