Outstanding Oz Derby Quinella for NZB Graduates

Headturner (Anabaa x Monroe Magic) and De Beers (Quest for Fame x Chimeara) proved too strong for their classy rivals in the Group 1 David Jones AJC Australian Derby last Saturday, with a decisive quinella in one of the country's most sought after races.

In a sensational result for the Karaka sales, both Headturner and De Beers were purchased from the New Zealand Bloodstock sales ring.

Paul Moroney, bloodstock agent and now training partner to brother Mike, purchased Headturner at the 2004 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale for NZ$125,000 from Whakanui Stud. He's now trained by John Hawkes for Tony Pistikakis and the G G Syndicate, managed by Gerard Peterson.

Headturner joins the likes of Anabaa Blue, Yell, Precision and Virage de Fortune as Group 1 winning progeny of Anabaa. American bred, Anabaa is by Danzig and spent his racing career in France where he won eight races including two Group ones. He now divides his time as a shuttle sire between France and Australia where he stands for a service fee of AUS$44,000 at Widden Park Stud.

Successful New Zealand bloodstock agent Rob McAnulty outlaid NZ$750,000 for De Beers at the 2004 Karaka Premier Sale from the draft of Pencarrow Stud. A recent addition to the David Hayes stable, De Beers took out the Group 1 Dubai Rosehill Guineas (2000m) a fortnight earlier.

Jockey Darren Beadman, who rode Headturner in the race before, tasted back to back Group success when he partnered NZB graduate Fooram (Maroof x Sinjani) to a convincing one and a half length victory in the Group 2 Chairman's Handicap (2400m).

The win is on the back of his recent victory in the Listed N.E. Manion Cup (2400m). The John O'Shea trained entire is now fine-tuned for this Saturday's Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m). He was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan of Cambridge Stud, and purchased at the 2002 Select Colts Sale by Paul Willets for NZ$64,000 from Phoenix Park's draft.

The minor placings also featured New Zealand bred horses with Three Chimneys (Generous x Star on Ice) and another Hogan bred in Cross Bar (Cape Cross x Lady Leica).

New Zealand

At home, Rags to Riches (Entrepreneur x Candescent) won the Group 1 Speights Easter Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday taking his number of career wins to ten. The five year old gelding was purchased by part-owner, Mr Eamon Cleary at the 2001 National Weanling Sale for NZ$22,000. Hallmark Stud's Baker family share ownership of the gelding who has provided them with their first Group 1 success.

The win is a timely reminder of the success enjoyed by graduates of the National Weanling Sale which is to be held at Karaka on the 7th May.

Final Destination, Dowry and Justa Tad are also Group 1 winners who were offered at the National Weanling Sale.

Catalogues for the National Weanling Sale are now available and can be obtained by calling (09) 298 0055 or emailing [email protected]. Alternatively, the catalogue can be viewed online at http://www.nzb.co.nz/.