Perennial Group One bridesmaid Babylon Berlin is set to take on the next stage of her career when she is offered at Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale next week.
The daughter of All Too Hard has been the pride of Ben and Ryan Foote’s Cambridge barn for several years, but they believe now is the right time to offer her to the public.
In a career that has spanned five seasons and 35 starts, Babylon Berlin was victorious on 10 occasions, including the Gr.3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) twice, Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m), Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m), and Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) twice.
While an elite-level victory eluded the now seven-year-old mare, she came close on several occasions, with three consecutive runner-up results in the Railway (1200m), Telegraph (1200m), and BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
She earned nearly $800,000 on the track and is being offered as a sound racing or breeding proposition.
Her sale is a bittersweet one for the Footes, with Babylon Berlin being a key figure in helping launch Ryan’s training career.
“I have had a lot to do with her, I have taken her to Australia, so it is a very bittersweet moment,” Ryan Foote said. “One half of me is hoping she sells for a lot and the other half is hoping that she doesn’t sell so I get to keep her around for a bit longer.
“She is a good, tough mare who has been sound throughout her life.
“It is unfortunate that she hasn’t got one (Group One win) because she has gone close a few times. She has taken us on a great ride and put her best foot forward each time she went to the races. You couldn’t ask for a more honest mare. She has meant a whole lot to both of us.”
While there are mixed feelings about Babylon Berlin’s sale next week, the stable’s attention is currently focussed on their home meeting on Wednesday.
The Footes will line-up five runners on the synthetic course, including a two-pronged attack in the Ride For Kimmy 1300, courtesy of Ultimate Focus and Charmer.
“Ultimate Focus is probably our best of the day, he has a good track record and he is working well,” Foote said.
“It will be Charmer’s first run on the synthetic. She has trialled well on it before, so I think she will get across the ground no problem.”
Stablemate Mr Fortrus will kick-off his preparation in the TAB 970, while the Footes are hoping the addition of gear will assist Nerissa in the Pryde’s Easifeed 2000.
“Mr Fortrus is going well, he trialled up well,” Foote said. “He’s got a wide gate (11), but hopefully he should jump and put himself into the race. He has learnt a lot in the last year he has been with us, so hopefully he has got more at the finish than he did a year ago.
“Side winkers go on Nerissa for the first time, which will hopefully help. The wide draw (9) isn’t ideal for her, we were wanting to ride her a bit closer. She is a bit out of her grade being a maidener, but we are just looking for improvement from her.”
The Footes quintet of runners will be rounded out by debutant Shamus Enigma in the Waikato Tractors 1300.
“His trial (win over 950m at Cambridge) was good,” Foote said. “He has shown us enough to be a good chance tomorrow.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
