The new owners of Coeur Volante, Widden Stud and Julia Ritchie's Bangloe Stud, have quickly been rewarded for their purchase of the multiple black-type performer, and victory in Saturday’s A$150,000 ive > Handicap (1400m) at Sandown has raised the possibility of even bigger things.
The New Zealand-bred daughter of Proisir previously raced for a syndicate headed by Rupert Legh, for whom she won four races including the Gr.2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m), Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m). She also finished fourth in the Gr.1 Thousand Guineas (1600m).
The five-year-old was offered in the 2025 Spring Boutique Online Sale on Inglis Digital in November, and she was bought for A$500,000 by Widden Stud Australia Pty Limited and Julia Ritchie’s Bangaloe Stud.
Left in the Lindsay Park stable of Ben, Will & JD Hayes for what remains of her racing career, Coeur Volante returned from a six-month spell with an eye-catching third in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on May 30.
She stepped up in distance and down in class second-up on Saturday, with apprentice jockey Jackson Radley’s claim reducing her weight to 53.5kg.
In a race that changed complexion when favourite El Rocko missed the start, Radley slotted Coeur Volante into a handy position in third behind Punch Lane and Grid Girl.
Radley let Coeur Volante go with just over 300m remaining, and she quickened well to reel in Punch Lane and win by a length and a quarter.
“It was quite pleasing the way the race worked out,” Radley said. “I expected El Rocko to stretch the field out a bit, which would mean we’d have to do a bit more work. But after he missed the start, the pace slackened right up and we were able to get a perfect run tracking the second favourite. She gave a very good kick after we straightened.
“She ran really well last start and she travelled beautifully today. I was confident a long way out that she was going to take a lot of beating.”
Coeur Volante has now had 18 starts for five wins, a placing and A$677,540 in stakes.
JD Hayes revealed that Saturday’s performance could even have set up the possibility of a tilt at the Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 27.
“We’re very thankful to Widden and Julia Ritchie for giving her back to us to train,” Hayes said. “She benefited from that time off and has come back mentally refreshed this time in.
“She put the writing on the wall last start, and Jackson gave her a beautiful ride today. It’s great to see her put her head in the winner’s stall, because it’s been a while between drinks.
“Whether we head north now or keep her down here in Victoria is a good problem to have for our Monday morning discussion. The Tatt’s Tiara could be a possibility, but we’ll talk to the ownership and our Lindsay Park team and work out what will work best for her.”
Bred by Fairdale Stud, Coeur Volante is by Proisir out of the Testa Rossa mare Shanina. She was purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock in conjunction with Ballymore Stables for $90,000 out of the Prima Park draft during the Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka in 2022 and was initially trained by Moroney’s late brother Mike.
Coeur Volante is the younger half-sister of stakes-placed filly Hasstobemagic and comes from a family that includes multiple Australian Group Two winner Rose O’ War and outstanding race mare Savana City, who included the Gr.1 AJC Oaks (2400m) amongst her eight career victories. – NZ Racing Desk.
