State Visit is the first foal of Oakleigh Plate winner Celebrity Queen that Coolmore paid a sale-topping $2.5million for at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in 2021, and he produced an outstanding debut with a hard finishing victory at Canterbury on Friday night.
Bred and raced by Western Australia’s Bob Peter’s, Celebrity Queen won the Oakleigh Plate in February 2021, failed in the Newmarket next start and was sold straight off the track at the Chairman’s Sale where Coolmore’s Tom Magnier paid the sale topping figure.
Sent to Wootton Bassett in his first season at Coolmore, State Visit was the result, with Coolmore retaining him and sending him to Ciaron Maher, who gave him two quietish trials before sending him out first time.
Given time to find his feet by Jason Collett, the colt settled just off midfield and upon entering the short Canterbury straight was presented with a significant task that not many would have risen to, let alone a first starter, however his final 100m was one of a horse going places.
At the finish he had beaten Namaste (Savabeel) by a neck with Custom (Street Boss) third.
&quo
t;He’s got the best attitude,” said Maher assistant trainer Johann Gerard-Dubord.
“Lovely action. Everything you want in a colt.
“Showed a turn of foot late. He’s got plenty of talent.”
“It was really likeable the way he attacked the line,” said Collett.
“That last 100 metres, that was awesome.”
While Coolmore have retained State Visit they will be offering his yearling half-brother by Pierro at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 317.
It’s a strong family with second dam Celebrity Miss being a stakes winner of eight races, and the third dam Miss Margaret, is a dual Group I winner of the 1600m Chrysler Stakes and 2500m South Australian Oaks.
Celebrity Queen foaled a colt by Justify last season and was returned to Wootton Bassett.
It’s the fourth winner for Wootton Basset, who is currently competing as a first season sire in Australia and puts him equal at the top of that winners list with Farnan.
