Seasons Bloom Provides a First

Tara Madgwick - Monday Nov 20
Progressive five year-old Captain Sonador gelding Seasons Bloom captured his first Black Type win at Sha Tin on Sunday when taking out the Group II BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile and in so doing gave Arrowfield Stud's top class sire Not a Single Doubt his first stakes-winner as a broodmare sire.

Trained by Danny Shum, he was a leading player in last season's Four-Year-Old Classic Series and took the step up to open company with aplomb under Joao Moreira.

Seasons Bloom - Grant CourtneyHe steamed past the two-time G1 winner Helene Paragon for a half-length success in the 1600 metre feature and is now a leading candidate for the Group I LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) on 10 December.

"He's a very nice horse and I really think he's going to be right there with them on the big day," said Moreira, who won the HK International Mile on Able Friend in 2014.

"Based on what he's done today, you would think he'd be able to run well in the Hong Kong Mile next time because he beat some of the best horses in Hong Kong today, and he had to make it tough, being exposed three wide.

"Danny left the tactics in my hands; he didn't give me specific instruction, I was happy to help him to get going because he doesn't have much early speed. I was able to cross a few horses and get to a position three off the fence, obviously it wasn't ideal but at least he had cover and I got him to relax in a position just better than midfield.

"Once we straightened up, I held my nerve a little bit and he used pretty much everything he had in the last furlong, and he gave me plenty. Danny gave him a break and that paid off today."

Seasons Bloom has won six of 14 starts and was bred in Queensland by Basil Nolan at Raheen Stud.

He fetched $26,000 for Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where he was purchased by Ampulla Lodge and went on to win a race in Victoria at his second start before he was sold to Hong Kong.

The third stakes-winner for Raheen Stud's ill-fated Captain Sonador, Seasons Bloom is the best of two winners from Pyramisa's Lass, an unraced half-sister by Not a Single Doubt to Group II winner Sharks Bay from the family of Group I winner Mirjulisa Lass.





Advertisment
More Reading...
2027 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1881 entries for the 2027 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?
One to Watch – Mornington
A homebred for Seymour Bloodstock with an intriguing pedigree opened her account with a stylish win at Mornington on Tuesday.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 9
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Pedigree Watch –Newly Minted
Pedigree does matter if you want to be winning races longer than 1200m, although in an interesting twist a colt bred on face value for speed is in fact from the family of Zabeel.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell
Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week is Out of the Gate!
Celebrating 140 years of racing and thoroughbred culture, Southern Highlands Thoroughbred Week presented by GROW Southern Highlands will span three weekends, from 19th November to 6th December.