News

Ortensia wins Group One Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai

31st Mar 2012

Ortensia continued the outstanding record of Australian-bred gallopers in the world’s best sprint races, taking out the US$1million Group One Meydan Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) in Dubai in emphatic fashion.

Jumping from barrier ten ORTENSIA ($50,000 2007 Premier, 6m Testa Rosaa-Aerate’s Pick) was dropped out to last by champion jockey Craig Williams and when asked to improve at the 300m mark the well-travelled galloper showed a tremendous turn-of-foot to power home over the top of Sole Power and Joy And Fun, which filled the placings.

A Group One winner in Perth last November, tonight’s victory is without doubt the highlight of Ortensia’s lucrative career so far and that of trainer Paul Messara.

Ortensia took her earnings past A$2million with her 11th win at start number 30 for her owners Alister Fraser, his partner Emma Ridley and sister Annie Fraser.

The dual Group One winner was bred by Len Rhodes of Riverside Stud at Corowa NSW and selected by bloodstock agent Steve Brem from Riverside’s draft at the 2007 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for just $50,000.

Craig Williams and Paul Messara indicated after the race that Ortensia will likely join fellow Inglis yearling sale graduates Black Caviar and Foxwedge at Royal Ascot, with the Al Quoz Sprint winner likely to target the Group One King’s Stand Stakes over 1000m on Tuesday 19th June.

Buyers next chance to get their hands on another Australian-bred galloper like Ortensia comes up at the southern hemisphere’s benchmark sale, the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, on April 10 to 12 in Sydney.

579 yearlings have been catalogued for this year’s Easter Sale, including seven by Ortensia’s sire Testa Rossa, representing the cream of the thoroughbred yearling crop from Australia and New Zealand.

The 2012 Easter catalogue can be viewed online HERE or can be downloaded on the iPad through the Equineline Sales Catalog App HERE