Vinery Stud announced service fees earlier this week with Ole Kirk given a sizable increase up to $99,000 and if anyone needed reminding as to why, we got that at Morphettville on Saturday when exciting two year-old Legacy Bound scored a dominant win in the Group III SAJC Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
The Robbie Griffiths trained gelding Legacy Bound was a facile debut winner at Ballarat earlier this month and made a smooth transition to stakes company with Mark Zahra to ride.
Legacy Bound was in a class of his own, kicking away down the running to win as he pleased with King’s Legacy filly Steep Trap his nearest pursuer nearly three lengths astern of the short priced favourite.
Legacy Bound is a homebred for Vinery Stud that was offered to Robbie Griffiths to train after he earlier purchased an Ole Kirk yearling at the sales and the astute trainer has quickly become a fan of his stock.
Winning rider Mark Zahra rode subsequent Group I placed colt Growing Empire to win the Breeders’ Stakes last year and can see similarities between that colt and Legacy Bound, who has been gelded.
“They are very similar. Both horses are a bit green and they can idle in front, but have that amazing turn of foot,” said Zahra.
“It was my first sit on him today. Like I say, he’s a big raw horse, just sort of playing around a bit and he didn't jump that well, but I was keen to use his speed.
“When I asked him for at 500m, I just thought, nothing's going to catch me from here.”
Legacy Bound is now two for two with over $100,000 in the bank and is the second winner from three foals to race from Sanaya, a winning More Than Ready (USA) daughter of Group II winner Astrodame.
Sanaya produced a filly by Ole Kirk last spring and then was covered by Exceedance.
Legacy Bound is the fourth stakes-winner among 11 winners for Ole Kirk, who is the leading first crop sire by winners and earnings.
