Written by Trent Masenhelder
Cover image courtesy of Yarraman Park Stud
The beautifully bred Andronicus (I Am Invincible) shed his maiden tag at Kembla Grange on Thursday, scoring comfortably in the hands of Josh Parr at his second start. The Team Snowden-trained 2-year-old, who finished second behind Diabelli (Fastnet Rock) at Newcastle earlier in the month when he was on debut, sat one-out, one-back, before peeling three-wide at the top of the lane. He took over 200 metres from home and powered away to prevail by 1.8l.
Andronicus is from the 2015 G3 Widden S. heroine Fireworks (Snitzel), making him a half-brother to the Listed winner Millane (Zoustar). The colt was bred by John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds, before being consigned by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He was bought by the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership for $1.35 million.
Andronicus as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Fireworks was bred and raced by Fairway Thoroughbreds. She is a three-quarter sister to the 1400-metre winner Stellar Vinia (Redoute’s Choice) - the dam of the Group 2 victress Ektifaa (More Than Ready {USA}), and a half-sister to three stakes winners Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad), Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}) and Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}), with the latter being the dam of the Group 3 scorer First Impressions (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}).
Peter O’Brien, general manager of Segenhoe Stud, where the Fairway Thoroughbreds horses are based, told TTR AusNZ the colt is a stud.
“He’s a beautiful animal. He’s a big horse,” O’Brien said.
“As a foal, he was an Adonis. He had that beautiful head, plenty of presence and a tonne of quality.
“As a foal, he (Andronicus) was an Adonis. He had that beautiful head, plenty of presence and a tonne of quality.” - Peter O’Brien
“Peter and Paul (Snowden) have always had a big opinion of him.
“They’ve given him plenty of time.
“I loved his last 50 yards (on Thursday).
“He was very professional and everyone is excited to see what he can do in the spring.
“I know James has a good opinion of him and I’m delighted for James.”
Fireworks was exported to the UK in June 2021. She has a Frankel (GB) filly on the ground, is back in foal to him, and will be covered by him again next season.
“She’s a very neat Snitzel,” O’Brien explained.
“I think she’s going to be a very good mare, Millane is a stakes winner and fella is a potential black-type horse.
“John thought so much of the mare that she went to England. She’s got a Frankel weanling filly that will fly back to Australia next month and she’s back in foal to Frankel - it’s believed to be another filly.
“John has five or six Frankel fillies that will fly down at the end of August.”
