Written by Paul Vettise
The well-related Trocair (Flying Spur) was purchased with a long-term objective in mind and she fulfilled her role admirably before sadly passing away earlier this year.
Roger James was commissioned by prominent New Zealand breeders and owners Christopher and Susanna Grace to secure a well-related filly at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale nearly two decades ago and subsequent events have showed the Cambridge trainer bought extremely wisely.
Trocair has produced seven winners, including three at black type level, and her last foal Shenanigans (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) will be out to add to the family roll of honour in Friday’s Listed Lucia Valentina S. at Otaki.
Shillelagh (NZ) (pictured) is a half-sister to Shenanigans
Shenanigans, who is trained by James and Robert Wellwood, is a half-brother to the Grace-owned G1 Cantala S. and Empire Rose S. winner Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel). She was prepared for her major Australian successes by Chris Waller and during that time kept the best of company both on and off the track.
“Her racing days are finished now and she became great mates with Winx over the years and she was allowed to go on holiday with her,” Christopher Grace said.
“Her racing days are finished now and she became great mates with Winx over the years and she was allowed to go on holiday with her.” - Christopher Grace
“We had a great run with Shillelagh and Winx talked her into going to I Am Invincible. Winx didn’t get in foal on the first service and neither did Shillelagh.
“Winx gave Shillelagh a ring and said I’m in foal now and five days later Shillelagh got in foal so they’ve been great friends. She’ll stay in Australia, we’ll possibly look to bring her home when she gets in foal again next year.”
William Fell, Susanna and Christopher Grace | Image courtesy of Awapuni Racing & Function Centre
Her dam Trocair was purchased for $285,000 and is a half-sister to the G3 San Francisco Golden Gate S. and G3 All American S. winner Nautique (NZ) (Pins).
“I asked Roger to select a nice horse that could be a good future broodmare and he got the filly,” Grace said. “Unfortunately, from his point of view she grew into a very big mare and was quite awkward to train and that’s why she only won one race.”
Top breeding record
However, she has proved her true worth in the breeding barn and has also left the G2 Brisbane Cup winner and G1 Caulfield Cup placegetter Tullamore (NZ) (Savabeel) and his stakes winning sister Grazia (NZ).
Tullamore was passed in at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and was initially raced by Grace before he was purchased by clients of Gai Waterhouse’s stable.
Grazia was bought by Te Akau boss David Ellis at Karaka for NZ$100,000 while another sister French Success (NZ) was secured by Lindsay Park and the BBA Ireland for NZ$340,000 and has been a three-time winner for David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Grazia (NZ) as a yearling
“Unfortunately, Trocair slipped to Savabeel once and then died eight weeks before she was due to foal this year. She was in foal to Savabeel again so Shenanigans is the last member of the family,” Grace said.
The 3-year-old has made a positive start to his career and had no trouble justifying his strong support on debut at Avondale, where he was an impressive winner under Ryan Elliot, who will take the mount again on Friday.
“He’s always showed a bit and he’s never been under any pressure. It will be interesting to see what happens and the rest of the field are no better than him so it’s certainly worth a go.”
Ferrando fancied
Friday’s card at Otaki also features the Listed Fasttrack Insurance S., in which Group 1 performer Ferrando (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous) looms as the horse to beat following his resuming run for second in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa.
“He is going enormous, but he has to give the whole field seven kilos,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said. “He deserves his weight (60kg), he has won a few races and the good track will suit him.”
Ferrando holds nominations for both the G1 Sistema Railway and G1 JR & N Berkett Telegraph, with the latter a race the 6-year-old entire has placed in the last two editions.
Enzo's Lad (white cap) and Ferrando (red cap) go head-to-head
Despite Ferrando’s best performances coming on left-handed tracks, the Railway at Ellerslie remains on his program.
“He used to go well right-handed. He won the G3 Mr Tiz at Ellerslie a couple of seasons ago and he will be aimed at the Railway and then we will just play it by ear,” Rogerson said.
“For an entire he has a lovely nature. He is a bit rowdy sometimes, but he is lovely to ride.”
