Mat Becker’s Group 1 Bloodstock, on behalf of Melbourne based businessman Ozzie Kheir, is thrilled to announce the recent acquisition of the regally bred son of Dubawi, Plumatic (GB) from France.
A five-year-old stallion and G2 winner on the international stage, Plumatic will be raced at the elite level and is targeted towards the richest racing carnivals in the world.
“I am always on the lookout for world-class gallopers to target the major global race meets and on behalf of Ozzie, we are delighted to acquire this brilliant dry track miler. Blessed with a wicked turn of foot, there is no doubt Plumatic is a serious horse.”
“Being a lightly raced entire, there is more improvement to come and he is certainly capable of winning at the highest level.” Becker said.
Plumatic was purchased by Ozzie Kheir and his partners Phil Mehrten, John O’Neil, Victor Kheir, Brett Carty and Brae Sokolski.
Graffard to go Global
Originally trained by Andre Fabre, Plumatic has been transferred to young gun French trainer Francis Graffard, who is particularly excited about the challenge of an international campaign, which culminates in Australia for the 2020 Spring Carnival.
“I met up with Francis at Arqana, and he was thrilled to welcome Plumatic into his stable. A real up and coming talent, he has already proven himself on the world stage with the four Group 1 winners including this year’s victory of Channel in the French Oaks and the 3yo filly Watch Me in the Gr. 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is getting the support of leading breeders and owners, including the H.H The Aga Khan,” Becker said.
The grandson of noted National Hunt breeder, Dr Henri Champliau, Francis Graffard established his racing stable in Chantilly in October 2011. Starting at Arqana in France, Graffard was selected for the Godolphin Flying Start programme. On completion, he joined Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley team, where he supported John Ferguson in the UK and France, before a three-year period as assistant trainer to Alain de Royer-Dupré.
“As a trainer, we were looking for talent, youth and drive. Being familiar with social media tools, he is able to provide interesting and current communication to owners. This is vital, as it allows us to feel like we have a horse trained locally, not halfway around the world.”
“We have an exciting twelve months ahead, with the program for Plumatic including the $6m G1 Dubai Turf on the 28th March 2020, before heading to the $3.7m G1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong on the 26th April. All going well he will return to the UK for the G1 Queen Anne over 1600m in June at Royal Ascot before flying to Melbourne for the spring, to target the G1 Doncaster and the time-honoured G1 Cox Plate,” Becker said.
A career on the up
A homebred by Wertheimer & Frère, Plumatic was trained by the Champion French trainer Andre Fabre. In three seasons of racing, and only twelve career starts, Plumatic has consistently won four times and placed four times.
Plumatic stared on debut at Saint-Cloud, before seconds in the G3 Prix de Guiche and the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange. He then placed in the Listed Grand Prix De Bordeaux, before a winning double, including the G3 Sovereign Stakes over the mile in England.
He was a gallant fourth in both the 2018 G1 Prix de Moulin de Longchamp and the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein, before he won the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud in a dominant display of power. Held up last by jockey Vincent Cheminaud, he powered down the outside to outpoint the now Aquis-owned Olmedo (FR) in the final stages with his brilliant turn of acceleration.
At his most recent start, Plumatic placed third in the Group 3 Prix Perth at Saint-Cloud on the 26th October.
Wertheimer’s’ racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau conceded that they ran him too far, too early in his career.
“He still managed to show a lot of quality, and after a good winter on the farm, he has grown and fully matured. He has found his best distance to show his acceleration. We've always thought a lot of him, and now he is now the horse we hoped he'd be." Bureau said.
Royally Bred in the Black
Bred and owned by the brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, Plumatic is a son of Dubawi (IRE) from the Anabaa mare Plumania (GB) who enjoyed her finest moment when winning the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud carrying the famous blue and white silks. She was also victorious in the G2 Prix Corrida as well placing in the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Prix Vermeille.
Hailing from a blue-blooded family, Plumatic is a half-brother to the G2 Prix Greffulhe placed Starmaniac (Sea the Stars), and the listed-winner and G2 placed Maniaco (Galileo).
Plumania’s two-year-old colt by Frankel named Castle (Ire) won on debut with Christophe Ferland, while her yearling filly by Starmaniac’s sire Sea the Stars, is named Urbania.
Plumania’s half-sister and G2 winner Balladeuse produced the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine and G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Left Hand by Plumatic’s sire Dubawi.
While Flop Shot (New Approach), who topped this year’s Arqana Arc Sale for €850,000, is out of the Listed-placed Dansili mare Dancequest, a half-sister to Plumania. After a three-length romp in the G3 Prix de Guiche, he will head to the US as a top-class turf contender.
Also, in the family is Frankel’s top lot in the August yearling sale at Arqana purchased by agent Shawn Dugan for €700,000. An outstanding filly out of the Cape Cross mare Secrete, a daughter of Plumatic’s second dam, Featherquest.
