Cover image courtesy of Coolmore
Tamahere was bred by Xavier and Beatrice Kos, who are now residents in New Zealand and live in the Waikato district the mare is named after, and her victory has significant future financial implications for the couple.
They continue to breed from Tamahere’s mother Alatasarai (Ire) (Giant’s Causeway {USA}), whose Reliable Man (GB) filly will be sold as Lot 10 at the Arqana October Yearling Sale at Deauville next week under the banner of Haras d’Etreham.
“We are originally from Belgium and lived in France for 17 years before moving to New Zealand a year and a half ago,” said Xavier Kos, a radiologist at Hamilton Hospital.
“Alatasarai is the first broodmare we bought so we’re really lucky. We’ve also got a share in Shadan, which is a half-sister to Tamahere.”
Shadan (Fr) (Orpen {USA}) won two of her six starts, including the Listed Prix Caravelle.
“It’s crazy really, we don’t have a lot of horses and Alatasarai has given us two stakes winners from three foals. Everything is a bonus now,” Kos said. “We try to keep one or two fillies as it’s so expensive to buy good broodmares.”
“We try to keep one or two fillies as it’s so expensive to buy good broodmares.” - Xavier Kos
The couple sold Tamahere at the Arqana Deauville October Yearling Sale, but remained in the ownership.
She won two of her six starts from Francois Rohaut’s French stable, including the Listed Prix La Sorellina in a 7.5l romp, before her sale to American interests.
She was on debut at the weekend for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown in the Sands Point S.
“When we were in France, Alatasarai was at a farm called Bergeret with Mr and Mrs Laval and they are close friends and professional breeders. Jean-Luc was a trainer for more than 30 years and he’s retired now,” Kos said.
“After we moved to New Zealand, Alatasarai moved to Normandy and is now based at a stud farm called Trois Rivieres, just next to d’Etreham.
“I also have 50 per cent of a mare named Madonna and she is in foal to the Aga Khan’s stallion Dariyan.
“Alatasarai has an Almanzor filly and is in foal to Ten Sovereigns while Shadan has a colt foal by Munnings, who will be going to the Keeneland Sale next year.”
Group 1 relative
Alatasarai is a daughter of the unraced Montjeu (Ire) mare May (Ire), a half-sister to the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Classic Park (GB) (Robellino {USA}) and the family of the G3 Newbury Hackwood S. winner Tabdeed (GB) (Havana Gold {Ire}).
Kos has also dipped his toe into the market in Australia with the $140,000 purchase of Zone Regard (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) from Willow Park Stud’s draft at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
A three-time winner in France and a half-sister to the G3 Newmarket Darley S. winner Charlie Farnsbarns (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), she has foaled a filly to American Pharoah (USA).
Zone Regard (Ire)
“I also have 25 per cent in Chilly Cha Cha, a maiden mare, with Nearco Stud. They are in Australia with Zone Regard is going to Russian Revolution and Cha Cha to American Pharoah,” Kos said.
Chilly Cha Cha (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was a $200,000 purchase out of Yarraman Park Stud’s draft at the Gold Coast and she was successful four times and finished third in the G3 Adrian Knox S.
She is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Suavito (NZ) (Thorn Park) and the G3 Swap Contractor’s Sprint winner and G1 Windsor Park Plate runner-up Sultan Of Swing (NZ) (Bachelor Duke {USA}).
