Now in the ownership of Widden Stud and Bangaloe Stud, talented Kiwi bred mare Coeur Volante continued her late-career resurgence with a second consecutive win on Saturday, albeit not in the race her connections might have been hoping for.
An impressive last-start success at Sandown on June 13 raised the possibility of a tilt at Saturday’s Gr.1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) in Queensland, but logistical challenges stood in the way. The A$150,000 Quayclean Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield was a suitable consolation prize.
“We just watched the Tiara a few minutes ago, and we were half hoping that we might be able to get there with this mare,” co-trainer Ben Hayes said. “But unfortunately, it didn’t work out with the flights and everything. But a Saturday win at Caulfield is the next best thing.”
Coeur Volante has had a change of ownership this season, having been bought by Anthony Thompson’s Widden Stud Australia Pty Limited and Julia Ritchie’s Bangaloe Stud for A$500,000 from the 2025 Spring Boutique Online Sale on Inglis Digital in November.
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).
Left in the Lindsay Park stable by her new connections, Coeur Volante has made a strong return to the racetrack this autumn and winter with a third in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) on May 30, a win at Sandown and Saturday’s equally emphatic follow-up at Caulfield.
The five-year-old was ridden by apprentice jockey Jackson Radley on Saturday and was able to slot into a handy position just behind the speed before angling to the outside to make her bid in the straight.
Coeur Volante produced a turn of foot none of her rivals could match, bursting to the lead in the final 100m. She scored comfortably by a length with Radley beginning to ease her down before the line.
“The race worked out perfect,” Radley said. “It was a bit sticky early, but then I managed to slot into a lovely spot. Once we got into clear air, she really let rip and showed her ability.”
Coeur Volante has now had 19 starts for six wins, a placing and A$760,040 in prizemoney.
“She had a really good, long break and a good reset,” Hayes said. “Her new connections were unfortunately not able to get her in foal last spring, so they decided to continue to race her this season. She’s definitely paying her way now and Julia and Anthony are very happy people. She’s in great form.”
Hayes has not ruled out a tilt at the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in August before a likely spring mating with star stallion Zoustar.
“She’s already a Group Two winner, which doesn’t leave many ways to improve your pedigree page,” Hayes said. “You can try to win or place in a Group One, or you can add another Group Two. The Lawrence is an option we could consider. We’ll see how she is, but she’s in great order.”
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.
