High profile Sydney breeder-owner John Cordina has successfully delved into the New Zealand broodmare market in his continued support of young Rich Hill Stud stallion Ace High.
Cordina raced the dual Group 1 winner and remained in the ownership group when the son of High Chaparral was retired to begin his new stud career.
Last night he purchased multiple stakes winner Dee And Gee on Gavelhouse Plus for $105,000, who was the top priced mare during the National Broodmare and Stallion Share Sale.
“If you had to buy Dee And Gee at a New South Wales auction you would be paying a lot more so I was very satisfied,” Cordina said.
A daughter of Darci Brahma, Dee And Gee won seven races including the G3 New Zealand Cup and is from the family of the G1 New Zealand Stakes winner Armstrong.
Cordina also recently went to $350,000 to secure the well-related Fastnet Rock mare Honfleur out of the Valachi Downs Dispersal Sale off the Gavelhouse platform.
“The Valachi Downs auction was pretty hot and you have you to pay a decent amount of money and I was quite happy with what I got,” Cordina said.
“I think both mares will suit Ace High very well.”
Honfleur, who was covered by Savabeel last season, is a half-sister to the Group 1 winners Shamrocker and Rock Diva. Their dam Bohemian Blues has also produced Group 2 winner Bohemian Lily and Vernanme, successful at Group 3 level.
“I have a great deal of confidence in Ace High. His yearlings sold well, the trainers are saying good things and he has everything in his armoury to make it as a sire. He’s got the best bloodlines on both sides of his family that you could ever want,” Cordina said.
“He showed speed as a young horse and trained on. He’s got Redoute’s Choice on his dam side and if you get the right quality mares to him there is obviously a better chance of success.
“In the first couple of years I sent some of my mares from New South Wales to him and I still own a fair chunk of the stallion so I thought I would get a couple more mares in New Zealand to go to him.
“I might pick up another one or two of better quality if I can, a black-type mare if possible, to further support him.”
Successful as a juvenile and fourth in the G1 Champagne Stakes, Ace High triumphed at Group 1 level in his classic season in the G1 VRC Derby and the G1 Spring Champion Stakes.
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