News

Catchy shines in Diamond

25th Feb 2017

Catchy led in a trifecta of Inglis Easter graduates in today’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, giving owners Rob and Sylvie Crabtree of Dorrington Farm the thrill of a lifetime.

Catchy made it four wins from as many starts as the mighty filly came from back in the field to run down Pariah in the last couple of strides.

It was an afternoon to savour for the Crabtree’s, who 40 minutes after the Blue Diamond led in another Group 1 winner in Sheidel in the Oakleigh Plate.

Catchy’s win was a huge result for so many, including Catchy’s breeders Joy and Sam Jenkins, sire Fastnet Rock and vendor Coolmore Australia.

The result gave Fastnet Rock his first 2YO Group 1 win in Australia and 27th overall Group 1.

Catchy also became the 47th Group 1-winning graduate of Coolmore Australia.

In a remarkable result for the global racing and breeding power, Coolmore produced the winner, third place (Formality) and fourth place-getter (Tulip).

Colm Santry, Coolmore Australia’s Sales and Nominations Manager, praised his team and everybody associated with Catchy’s victory.

“It’s been an incredible day for Coolmore stallions in general but the Blue Diamond result is particularly special,’’ Santry said.

“To have the winner, third and fourth place-getter by our stallions is an exceptional result, and first and third for Fastnet Rock is a phenomenal achievement.

“It’s particularly sweet that Catchy is owned by Rob and Sylvie, long-term and strong supporters of Coolmore, and it’s a great result for Joy and Sam Jenkins who have become great friends of ours over the years as well.

“It’s an endorsement of the exceptional team effort of all the staff at the farm because without their work, results like this aren’t achievable.’’

Catchy (Fastnet Rock x Cats Whisker) was a $220,000 purchase for the Crabtree’s at last year’s Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

She beat Pariah (Redoute’s Choice x Secluded) and Formality (Fastnet Rock x Jolie’s Shinju) in the Blue Diamond.

There are 12 progeny of Fastnet Rock being offered at the 2017 Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, which begins at 12pm tomorrow (February 26), and 27 at the Australian Easter Yearling Sale on April 4-6.

To view the Premier catalogue, CLICK HERE.

To view the Easter catalogue, CLICK HERE.

For prolific Victorian owner and breeder Rob Crabtree, Catchy’s win was worth the wait.

“She was the only yearling I bought last year and it’d been a great ride up until today, remaining undefeated, and now this. Wow, what a feeling. It feels absolutely unbelievable,’’ he said.

“What did I make of the run? I loved every single step of it.

“Craig stuck by her to ride her which was great and he rode her so well, he stuck to the plan and we got the result.’’

Catchy joins an illustrious list of Inglis graduates to win the Blue Diamond including Extreme Choice, Samaready, Reward For Effort and Alinghi.

It was also the second consecutive year Inglis graduates have filled the trifecta in Victoria’s main 2YO Group 1, following the 2016 result where Extreme Choice beat Flying Artie and Zamzam.

CATCHY

Fastnet Rock x Cats Whisker

Sale: 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale

Price: $220,000

Vendor: Coolmore Stud

Breeder: Mrs Joy Jenkins

Group 1 win: Blue Diamond Stakes

Trainer: David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig

Owners: Dorrington Farm (Mgr: Robert Crabtree) & Mrs Sylvie Crabtree