Mossman's White Moss Too Strong in Sapphire Stakes

Mark Smith - Saturday Apr 13

The near white White Moss emerged from the gloom under Kathy O'Hara to claim Saturday's Group II Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

The Jason Coyle-trained daughter of Mossman was third in the race 12 months ago but she made no mistake here, defeating Irithea (Snitzel) by three-quarters of a length with Winter Bride (Not A Single Doubt) the same distance back in third. (images Steve Hart)

Advertisement


The winner of the Group III ATC The Nivison in 2017 and Group II Millie Fox Stakes on February 23, White Moss advances her record to 7 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 17 starts with earnings of $532,645.

"She's a quality mare. She was fit, she was coming back from a longer trip which obviously helped in a truly run 1200m," Coyle said.

"Full credit to the owners for steering her away from the Coolmore (Legacy) and into this race.

"We'll seriously consider going to Hawkesbury depending on how she pulls up. She hasn't travelled well but I'd love to get her up to Queensland and give her another crack up there."

Kathy O'Hara noted that this has been the most successful campaign for the 5yo mare.

"Full credit goes to Jason and Tartan Fields for finding this race for her," O'Hara said.

"She has come out on top and has had two Group II victories this prep. She's not far off the top grade so hopefully, she can get there soon.

"She is a natural free-roller this mare. I know she is fit. She is coming back from a 1500m run last start. I just wanted to make it a genuine gallop. The leader [Quilista] was making it a genuine gallop and I didn't want to let her get too far away from me."

 A homebred for Michele Esplin and her children Hamish, Patrick and Elise, White Moss is out of the Group II winning dam Pay My Bail who was a $240,000 buy for the late Phillip Esplin at the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

A half-sister to Listed winner White Sage (Reset), White Moss is one of six winners out of Pay My Bail who died in February 2017 after being covered by Dundeel the previous spring.

The Esplin's still own White Sage, who has a 2yo filly by Charge Forward a yearling filly by More Than Ready (USA) and a filly foal by Animal Kingdom (USA). She was covered last year by Ribchester (IRE).

Advertisment
More Reading...
Mossman's Morvada Too Strong in John Dillon Stakes
It’s been nearly three years since Morvada’s previous stakes win but the 6yo son of Mossman gave nothing else a chance in Saturday’s Listed John Dillon Stakes at Caulfield.
Tartan Fields on Track with Mossman
Tartan Fields breeder Hamish Esplin will have a vested interest when White Moss and Pedrena clash in the Glenlogan Park Stakes Group III at Doomben this Saturday.
Inglis Digital Purchase Iron Hawk to Tackle G3 TAB Mile
Harness racing trainer Barry Purdon bought Iron Hawk last year with New Zealand Cup Week in mind, and now the moment has arrived, with the stakes performer set to tackle the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) at Riccarton on Wednesday.
Racing Industry Mourns Much Loved Izzy Neale
The thoroughbred racing industry is devastated tonight following news that apprentice jockey Izzy Neale, aged 22, has tragically died as the result of a race fall at Warren on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Pedigree Watch –Newly Minted
Pedigree does matter if you want to be winning races longer than 1200m, although in an interesting twist a colt bred on face value for speed is in fact from the family of Zabeel.
Haras d'Etreham Set Fee for Hotazhell
Triple Group I winner Hotazhell will begin his stallion career at Haras d'Etreham in France at a fee of €15,000 next year before then shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia.
Remembering Sunline – The Queen of the Cox Plate Before Winx
From our vantage point in 2026, we can look back at modern Cox Plate history and marvel at how quickly the years are passing.
Mossman Missed by Many
A sixth Group I winner for Mossman on Sunday with Ivictory capturing the Chairmans Sprint at Sha Tin only serves to highlight the loss of his sire, a perennial favourite at Vinery Stud that has now been retired from stud duties at age 22.
White Moss Gathers Momentum for Mossman
Mossman mare White Moss can add another notch to Vinery's winning record in the Coolmore Classic Group I following her return to form at Rosehill on Saturday.
Frankel Heads Juddmonte Euro Roster at £350,000
Fresh from siring outstanding young stayer Point of Law (GB) to win the $10m Group I VRC Melbourne Cup, champion sire Frankel will again top the roster at Banstead Manor Stud for Juddmonte.