News - ALMANZOR (FR)
As we come to the end of spring, the second season sires table is always worth investigation to see which stallions have performed in the way we thought and which may be still waiting for their game changer horse to come along.
Those associated with Cambridge Stud were in full voice during the closing stages of the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) on Saturday as Manzoice became his sire Almanzor’s first Group One winner.
Blenheim is more accustomed to producing world-class wines than thoroughbreds, but last Saturday local resident Stephanie Hole celebrated her biggest moment as a breeder when Manzoice won the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Cambridge Stud’s rising star sire Almanzor has stolen the show on one of Australasian racing’s greatest stages, picking up his first Group One winner with first-crop son Manzoice in the Gr.1 Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
The disappointment of missing a Melbourne Cup run with Durston was eased for trainer Chris Waller and jockey Michael Dee when the Almanzor (FR) colt Manzoice stormed to victory in the $2,000,000 Group 1 Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr) will have multiple stakes runners in Australia and New Zealand on Saturday and struck overnight in France with an exciting new stakes-winner with Aga Khan homebred colt Rajapour winning the Listed Prix Isonomy (1600m).
Promising filly Blue Solitaire showed she could be a strong local contender for the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton next month with a stylish maiden victory at the venue on Saturday.
Mark Walker prepared three winners of the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in his first stint as head trainer for Te Akau’s Matamata barn and holds pole position to add to his classic tally.
Holding firm against a torrent of overseas interest, Cambridge Stud bought Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel) for $1.1 million on Gavelhouse Plus on Wednesday night, and the Group One-winning mare will be served by Almanzor this spring.
Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor sired a winning double at Matamata on Wednesday and also enjoyed further success in Victoria with another first crop representative.
Last season’s Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) winner Dynastic made a successful return to racing when he displayed a touch of class in taking out the Listed El Roca-Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m).
Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Fr) added a new stakes-winner to his tally in France overnight when promising two year-old filly Around Midnight won the Listed Criterium de l’Ouest (1650m) at Craon.
It’s a new season and for the young second crop sires it’s a clean slate with the achievements of the past 12 months consigned to history as we look ahead to see what their three year-olds might do with the benefit of maturity.
Three-year-old colt Virtuous Circle narrowly prevailed in the Hugh Wallace-Smith Handicap (1500m) at The Valley on Saturday, to make the perfect start to his classic season.
Almanzor had New Zealand first season sire honours in safe keeping some months ago before he was officially bestowed the prestigious title at the season’s close.
Mother Nature works to its own timeframe and Haunui Farm was swiftly in sync to welcome an unexpected arrival this week and lavish the early comer with special treatment.
Almanzor (FR) met with an incredible response to his first crop at the sales, with just two of the 58 yearlings sold making less than the $55,000 outlay for the Danny O'Brien-trained Grinzinger Bishop.
Tony Pike will have an imposing line-up at Eagle Farm this weekend with several of his Kiwi raiders stepping out for the first time in the Sunshine State.
Cambridge Stud has announced an increase in the service fee of Almanzor, who is guaranteed to be crowned champion first season sire at the end of the term, while Sword Of State will join the farm’s all-star Group 1 stallion roster in 2022.
The confidence Kyneton trainer Liam Howley has in Virtuous Circle was vindicated when the two-year-old Almanzor colt relished the step up to 1500m in the A$130,000 Cleanaway Sustainability Sires at Mornington on Saturday.