News

Libertad maintains perfect record with exciting G3 San Domenico Stakes win

26th Aug 2023

Unbeaten 3YO colt Libertad (Russian Revolution) surged into G1 Golden Rose contention with a comfortable win in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill today.

The exciting Annabel Neasham trainee was bought for just $40,000 by shrewd horseman Tal Nolen from the Highway Session of the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the draft of Rheinwood Pastoral before reoffering him at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale later that year where he realised $210,000 to the bid of Neasham.

“I really liked Libertad as a yearling, he had a great walk and attitude which drew me to him,” said Nolen.

“He then ran down really well at the breeze up, clocking 10.34 at Seymour, and he just gave the feeling that he could turn into a really nice racehorse.

“Jockey Jake Duffy rides them for us at the breeze ups and said he gave him a really nice feel.”

Nolen Racing will offer 14 lots as part of the 2023 Inglis Ready2Race Sale to be held on October 10, including progeny of the likes of Extreme Choice, Toronado, Justify, So You Think, The Autumn Sun, Dundeel and Harry Angel.

“We have a really nice, even draft this year, there’s another Russian Revolution colt in the draft that I really like.” Tal said.

“The Extreme Choice and Zoustar are nice horses too and we have a great big Blue Point – a very nice colt.”

Today was a second Stakes win for the now hugely valuable stallion prospect Libertad following his tenacious win in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick last April.

Libertad races in the Trilogy Racing colours, the racing and breeding partnership of Jason Stenning and Sean Dingwall, who recently acquired Blue Gum Farm.

“Our whole strategy is trying to develop a colt that is good enough to work their way up and end up standing at stud at Blue Gum Farm.” Sean Dingwall explained.

“Libertad is a very exciting prospect, for him to start his career as a breezer and take the step up to Stakes racing in such a short period in time and now be a two-time G3 winner is huge.”

“It’s a very exciting start to his 3YO season and he has a very bright future.”

“We are thrilled for Annabel [Neasham], she rates him as her best colt and has put in an outstanding training performance with him. It was an amazing ride today too.”

The catalogue for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale is now online, CLICK HERE to view it.

The 2023 renewal of the sale is on October 10 at Riverside Stables and is the only Australian 2YO sale to produce Group-winning graduates in the past four renewals.

Meanwhile Dragon Leap (Pierro) took out the G2 Foxbridge Plate at Te Rapa today.

He was a $1.05m purchase for Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Wexford Stables and Andrew Williams Bloodstock from the draft of Coolmore Australia at the 2018 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are now aiming for G1 glory with the lightly raced 7YO gelding, aiming him next at the G1 Tarzino Trophy.

Coolmore Australia’s Racing & Bloodstock Manager, John Kennedy said “Dragon Leap was bred at Coolmore by our Chairman Lindsay Maxsted and his partners who have been fantastic supporters of Coolmore and have enjoyed tremendous success with this pedigree in particular.”

“He was a very nice yearling and is a tough, consistent horse – it was a great performance today.”

“Dragon Leap is out of a beautiful mare who is doing a great job and is currently in foal to So You Think.”

“Pierro has a fantastic crop of rising 2YOs and even though he is one of the best stallions in Australasia, we feel that the best is yet to come for him.”