Purchased at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale by Ciaron Maher, the now 4yo mare Jillaroo (USA) (Curlin) initially started her racing career in the United States but after an Australian debut second at Caulfield in early May, recorded her maiden victory at Doomben.
Starting one of the shortest priced favourite of the meeting, the Ryan Maloney ridden mare jumped from barrier 10 of 11 in the Tattersalls Tiara Raceday 28 June Maiden Plate (1640m).
Although she did need to a work a little, the 4yo mare crossed the field to take up the lead with 200/1 outsider Lucifer The Cat (Who’s The Cat) racing on her outside ensuring the leader wouldn’t get it all her own way.
As Lucifer The Cat began to drop off and nothing was really making any impression, Maloney asked Jillaroo for an effort where she pulled away from the field before being eased down in the run to the line for a soft length and a half win.
Working into second, but no match for the winner, the Jason Patton trained Stoicism (NZ) (Preferment) nudged out Casterly Rock (Pierro) who finished third for Jack Bruce.
Purchased from the draft of Denali Stud, who consigned the filly on behalf of Stonestreet Farm, Maher’s Bloodstock Manager Will Bourne went to US$250,000 (approx. A$362,740) to purchase Jillaroo as a yearling.
With an exciting international pedigree, Jillaroo is daughter of New Zealand Champion Sprinter and Group 1 ARC Railway Handicap winner Bounding (Lonhro) who was purchased by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings from the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale from the draft of Willow Park Stud for $1.9m with the mare then sent to the USA.
A half-sister to the ill-fated Group 1 Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo), who herself is out of the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (F) winner Believe’n’succeed (Exceed And Excel), Bounding has had three foals to race, all winners.
