News

Mark down Zuckerberg

24th Aug 2011

The Thoroughbred - Danny Power - Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Zuckerberg, the colt named after the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, had the world of social media buzzing when he produced a brilliant debut win at Geelong today.

The colt, who is trained by Anthony Freedman, lived up to the expectations of his price – he firmed from $1.80 to $1.60 – but punters would have had their doubts when the colt, ridden by Daniel Moor, drifted back to last after 400 metres of the 1000-metre scamper.

Zuckerburg just wouldn’t travel between horses for Moor, who elected to pull the colt wide – eight lengths from the lead – before the turn. Zuckerberg was still out of the picture at the 200 metres, but produced a withering sprint to win by more than a length.

It was one of the most exceptional performances witnessed on the Geelong synthetic track and an indication that the colt has a big future.

The first hint that the colt maybe a bit special came when Sydney-based expert Ron Dufficy “tweeted” 10 minutes before the start of the race that there was a “street corner tip” for Zuckerberg. At that stage the corporate bookmaker prices were not posted, but the totes had him at $4.00.

Dufficy’s comment as the horses hit the line was a simple – “WOW”.

Zuckerberg is one of a number of yearlings bought last year by long-time Freedman client Joe Throsby, who was the main partner in the outstanding Encosta De Lago, who was trained by Anthony’s brother Lee. Encosta De Lago also didn’t start racing until the spring of his 3YO year, but by the end of the campaign had won the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m, Caulfield) and the Group 2 Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m, Flemington).

Of course, Encosta De Lago went on to become one of Australia’s greatest stallions.

Zuckerberg races in Throsby’s green and red hoops and like Encosta De Lago was bought at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale on the bid of Throsby’s good friend and bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy (Belmont Bloodstock) who signed a ticket for $150,000.

Zuckerberg is by the wonderfully successful Commands from the Woodman mare Love And Emotion, a daughter of the Group 1 AJC Oaks (2400m, Randwick) winner My Brilliant Star. The pedigree suggests the colt should get a strong 1600 metres.

Zuckerberg is not entered for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, so it will be interesting to see what races Freedman targets with the exciting colt – maybe a tilt at the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m, Flemington) on Derby Day.

Photo: Zuckerberg as a yearling.