Everyone loves a charismatic grey racehorse, but they are becoming harder and harder to find given the lack of commercial grey stallions standing in Australia, but that might be about to change.
The High Chaparral (IRE) sireline has emerged as one of the most progressive in our region thanks to his sons Toronado (IRE), Dundeel and revered champion So You Think, who is poised to extend the dynasty through his handsome Group I winning son D’Argento.
Grey and gorgeous, D’Argento was purchased as a yearling at Magic Millions. He sported the famed purple and white stars of Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds and has been a crowd pleaser ever since winning his first two starts for the Chris Waller stable as a juvenile showing natural talent and precocity.
He also won the first start of his three year-old season, so was three for three coming into the Group II ATC Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at just his fourth start when finishing third to Kementari and Pierata with Trapeze Artist fourth.
That obvious potential came to fruition as the season unfolded when he won the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and was fourth to Happy Clapper in the Group I ATC Doncaster after drawing 15 in the field of 16, his efforts earning him a Timeform rating of 124.
D’Argento returned at four to contest the Winx Stakes (G1), Theo Marks (G2), Epsom Handicap (G1), Caulfield Stakes (G1) and W.S. Cox Plate (G1), enhancing his reputation with another two seconds and a third behind the likes of Winx, Hartnell and the internationally proven warrior Benbatl.
His luckless run in the Epsom, when beaten half a head by Hartnell, but finishing in front of top class Group I winners Unforgotten and Shillelagh would be seen by many as just about his best performance.
One of nine Group I winners sired by So You Think, D’Argento is primed to take the blood of Epsom Derby winner High Chaparral through another generation and on the female side of his pedigree, he ticks every box being from a stakes-winning juvenile by Redoute’s Choice while his next two dams are by champion sires Kenmare (Fr) and Without Fear (Fr).
The diverse speed of his Black Type female family coupled with the classic qualities of So You Think, hit the jackpot in D’Argento, who retired with earnings of $1.1million.
He’s the horse we all aspire to race, precocious enough to win at two, blessed with enough stamina to win over a middle distance at three and classy enough at four to run in the best races in the country, so let’s check out his first crop of yearlings for Magic Millions 2023.
D'Argento stands at Bowness Stud and they will present the lion’s share of his 18 strong consignment, nine of which are turning grey or grey already with highlights below:
Lot 250 Colt D’Argento x Popular Acclaim, by Exceed and Excel
From a speedy juvenile winning half-sister to outstanding 3YO Giga Kick, winner of The Everest and Group II VRC Danehill Stakes, also to the dam of Group I winner Alabama Express. Bred on similar So You Think x Exceed and excel cross to this season’s exciting G3 winning 3YO Perfect Thought.
Lot 322 Colt D’Argento x Saggiatore, by Galileo
Half-brother to three winners and is from a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Follow Gold, the dam of Group I winner and $2.4million earner Driefontein, who also won a Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Dam is also a half-sister to stakes-winner Export Gold, dam of stakes-winners Dubawi Gold and Forest Gold.
Lot 473 Colt D’Argento x Terminally Pretty, by More Than Ready (USA)
Second foal of a winning daughter of Group I placed stakes-winning import Moon de French (USA) and half-sister to progressive mare Zou de Moon, a last start fourth in a Listed race at Doomben.
Lot 888 Filly D’Argento x Full of Beans, by Smart Missile
Third foal of a winning half-sister to dual Group I winner and $2.1million earner Kenedna and ill-fated Group II winning sire Spill the Beans. From the family of Champion 2YO and Australian Horse of the Year Bounding Away and Group I winners Speak Fondly and Glastonbury.
Lot 1028 Colt D’Argento x Bexstar (NZ), by Tavistock
Third foal of a winning half-sister to stakes-winner Absalon and to the dam of this season’s Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes winner Sharp ’n’ Smart. From the family of European Champion Older Horse Halling. Tavistock mares already making an impression producing five stakes-winners headed by G1 winner Mr Brightside.
Lot 1125 Filly D’Argento x Idriess, by Anabaa (USA)
Half-sister to five winners from an unraced half-sister to Group III winning $1.8million winner Karuta Queen, winner of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and dam of stakes-winner Eawase. Bred on similar So You Think x Anabaa cross to HK Group winner Buddies.
