News

Aussies Continue On Merry Way

5th Jul 2010

Aushorse - Monday, 5 July 2010

The global reach of the Australian Thoroughbred continues unabated with a stunning array of Group I and feature winners in five countries over the weekend.

Galileo filly Mahbooba was an easy winner of the South African Group 1 Golden Slipper (1450m) for two-year-old fillies at Clairwood. From the winning Red Ransom mare Sogha, Mahbooba has now won three of her four starts.

She was bred and is raced by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa al Maktoum and prepared by Mike de Kock. The same combination took Musir to Champion 2YO honours in South Africa last year before winning the UAE Derby in Dubai in March.

Mahbooba was joined by Malaysia’s new star Captain Obvious on the international Group 1 winning list for Australian-breds. The son of Verglas won the Astro Wah Lai Toi Sprint Trophy (1400m) at Penang by anunprecedented 12 lengths. He was sold by Alwyn Park (WA) as a yearling for $24,000.

Captain Obvious was one of nine Australian-bred winners to salute at Penang's feature weekend of racing.

In Singapore, Australian-bred horses won seven races on the card, including a track record breaking win for Bionic Boy, a son of two times Hong Kong International Sprint winner Falvelon. Australia’s Champion First Season Sire elect Stratum had his 15th individual winner and first in Singapore when Strata Star won on debut.

Australian-bred horses also won four races in Hong Kong and another three in Macau at the weekend.

This week, the spotlight returns to Europe, specifically the big July meeting at Newmarket.

On Thursday, Aus-bred Redoute’s Choice colt Elzaam runs in the July Stakes for two-year-olds. The following day, Starspangledbanner, Nicconi, Alverta and War Artist will represent Australian breeders in the Group 1 July Cup.

“International participation at Australian yearling sales continues to grow and this is being shown withstrong results in many different countries,”Aushorse MarketingChief Executive Peter McGauran said.

“It's tremendously satisfying for everyone from the breeder through to the sales agentto see people who support Australian sales enjoying so much success.The innovative and progressive breeding andrearingskills of Australian breedersare producingfast, adaptable and toughThoroughbreds able to succeed week in week out across the globe.”