Coolmore’s Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro featured with a stakes double on Boxing Day with Parry Sound winning the Group III ATC Summer Cup (2000m ) and Holbien taking out the Listed MRC Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield.
Trained by Steve Richards, Holbien had been seven times stakes-placed previously and broke through for a well deserved Black Type win scoring a bold front running length and a quarter victory for Michael Poy.
Holbein’s trainer Steve Richards thought Holbien may have been in trouble on the home turn, but the tough gelding produced the trademark grit of his sire Pierro and refused to wilt in the straight.
“I thought on the turn they had him, but he gave a kick and he won well,” Richards said.
“One the syndicate owners Rosemary Hemsworth is going through a tough time and I’m sure this will put her in good spirits and give her a real kick along.”
A $130,000 Inglis Easter purchase for his trainer from the Kia Ora Stud draft, Holbien has the overall record of seven wins and 18 placings from 50 starts with prizemoney topping $700,000.
Bred and sold by Kia Ora, Holbien is a half-brother to Group II placed Lovani and is the best of three winners from imported Group III winning Danehill Dancer mare Carribean Sunset (IRE), who produced a filly this spring by Pierro’s Group I winning son Pierata.
Holbien is the 27th stakes-winner for Pierro, who has 20 entries for Magic Millions.
