It’s common to see a race quinella with two horses by the same sire, but a lot less so for two horses from the same mare and particularly a Group I winning mare!
Winner of the Group I ATC Queen of the Turf Stakes in 2014, quality mare Diamond Drille was a star on the track in the colours of Greg and Donna Kolivos and she gave them a winner at Goulburn on Friday when her four year-old I Am Invincible gelding Diamond Drummer surged home to win his maiden over 1600m.
Trained by Michael Freedman, Diamond Drummer was a well backed favourite, but he had to work hard to run down Irene’s Best, his three year-old half-sister by Pierro.
Irene’s Best led the race and kicked clear at her fourth start, but just couldn’t quite hold off her older brother, but her turn in the winner’s circle can’t be far away.
Diamond Drummer and Irene’s Best were foaled and raised at Newgate Farm where Diamond Drille resides and while Diamond Drummer was retained to race, Irene’s Best was sold in the Inglis Easter Newgate draft for $240,000 to Gall Bloodstock.
Diamond Drille has had three foals to race for two winners with Irene’s Best sure make it three from three in due course. She had a yearling filly by Dundeel sold at Karaka this year for $200,000 to Attunga Stud / Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) and there is a colt to follow by I Am Invincible.
Diamond Drille was one of 189 mares covered last year at Newgate by Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside so there will be much anticipation for her to foal this spring.
