News

Nicconi yearlings very good prospects at Scone

11th May 2016

Australian Thoroughbred - Brian Russell - Wednesday 11 May 2016

ONE of the best younger sires in Australia at this time is Nicconi, a handsome former leading sprinter by the Danzig sire Bianconi (USA) who stands at the Widden Stud.

He has been in the news this month as the sire of Loved Up (pictured), a first crop 4-year-old sold at the Inglis broodmare sales for $300,000, and Faatinah, a 3-year-old gelding in the Hayes – Dabernig stables successful on Saturday in the Group 2 Euclase Stakes at the big meeting at Morphetteville.

A product of a Dehere (USA) mare, the Davali Thoroughbreds, Luskintyre, Hunter Valley offered Loved Up had won six races, including the Inglis Scone Guineas, Albury Guineas and Murrumbidgee Country Championship Qualifier, and the Shadwell Stud Australasia bred and raced Faatinah was recording his third win in seven starts.

It was the second appearance of Faatinah, a product of a Danehill mare, Alqwah (Ire), in a stakes, preceded back in October by a third placing in the Listed Posiedon Stakes at Flemington.

Loved Up and Faatinah are two of six stakes winners in Nicconi’s first two crops, the others being Niccoscene (dam by Snippets; 4 wins, SAJC William Hill-G2), Chill Party (Turtle Island (Ire); MVRC Alister Clark-G2) Ayres Rock (Thunder Gulch (USA); VRC UCI Stakes-L, second Morphetteville Guineas-L) and Exclusive Lass (Zabeel; Geelong Rosemont Stud Stakes-L). Two others stakes placed.

In addition his third crop, current 2-year-olds, include Concealer (Tale of the Cat (USA); 4 starts, won VRC Ottawa Stakes-G3 on debut, second Blue Diamond Prelude-G2), Niccolance (Lonhro; 3 starts, 2nd Randwick, Wyong Magic Millions Classic, 4th Gold Coast Magic Millions 2YO Classic) and Caipirinha (Starcraft; 2 runs in Perth, 3rd Gimcrack-G3, 4th Karrakatta Plate-G2).

Through to May 8, Nicconi had been represented for 2015-16 by 83 winners (4 SWs, 5 2yos) of 118 races and $3,3million, contributors including five winners overseas. He is Australia’s most successful three crop sire by winners and wins, fourth by earnings and 17th on the national juvenile table.

His early success suggests his five offspring in the 206 lot catalogue covering the Inglis Hunter Valley Breeders’ Yearling Sale to be conducted at Scone next Sunday, May 15, include some very good prospects.

They are a nicely bred collection comprised by LOT 4, B C 19/9, from a Jet Spur representing the popular Tennessee family. LOT 20, B C 10/10, brother to smart My Michelle (2 wins, placed Melbourne) and from an Elusive Quality (USA) mare.

LOT 104, B C 4/10, from Red Ransom mare Hi Halo, a relation of Circles of Gold, Elvstroem, Haradasun, Highland Reel and Starspangledbanner. LOT 124, Chest F 16/9, from La Bellamour, a Danasinga mare out of half-sister SWs Blur and Shrewd Rhythm; and LOT 161, Chest F 24/10, from Perfect Show, a half-sister to then dam of brilliant performers Seeking More and Seek and Find.

Nicconi is among 23 sires with three or more lots in the catalogue, sharing this distinction with All American (7 lots), Big Brown (USA) (4), Casino Prince (3), Charge Forward (3), Delago Deluxe (3), Denman (4), Dream Ahead (USA) (6), Excelebration (Ire) (3), Foxwedge (7), Harbour Watch (Ire) (3), Hinchinbrook (3), Husson (Arg) (3), I Am Invincible (5), Magic Albert (4), Myboycharlie (Ire) (4), Onemorenomore (5), Pluck (USA) (7), Poet’s Voice (GB) (6), Snippetson (8), Star Witness (9), Tickets (5) and Time Thief (10).

Vendors represented by three or more lots are Amarina Farm (8 lots), Ambergate Farm (9), Arrowfield (13), Bell River (3), Bhima (5), Chatsworth Park (6), Crowningstone (4), Davali (5), Edinglassie (10), Emirates Park (6), Ferndale (4), Goodwood (3), Hilldale (3), Kitchwin (3), Marquee (4), Middlebrook (10), Murrulla (3), Muskoka (4), Neila (3), Segenhoe (6), Sledmere (4), Southern Cross Breeders (9), St Aubins (3), Turangga (3), Tyreel (3), Vinery (11), Wattle Grove (3), Widden (14), Yarraman (11) and Yarrandi (4).

The Sale is again being held at White Park, Scone, a venue for an annual Inglis sale for just on 70 years. Lot 1, a sister by Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown to Sydney winner Bomber Brown, is scheduled to go under the hammer at 10.30 am.