Thirty three yearlings out of Group 1-winning mares at Easter. Who are the standouts?

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

With the 33 yearlings out of Group 1-winning mares spread across 17 drafts, there are plenty of options for those chasing the very best performance. The yearlings are evenly split with 18 colts and 15 fillies. Coolmore has the most in their draft with six, and Arrowfield and Vinery each offer four.

And the data is in: Group 1-winning broodmares produce a stakes winner every 10 foals in Australia, so the odds are in your favour.

Examples such as Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}) out of Miss Finland (Redoute's Choice), or the Denise’s Joy (Seventh Hussar {Fr}) family with four Group 1-winning mares in succession, or Anamoe out of Anamato (Redoute's Choice), or City Of Troy (USA) out of Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), are just the beginnings of a long list of Group 1 winners out of Group 1-winning mares.

Brand new opportunities with first foals

Among the progeny of the Group 1-winning mares are several who are the first foal of their dam. These yearlings represent the first opportunity for the market to have a look at the progeny of a mare whose racing career ended only recently and is still in the memories of fans.

Yulong’s Lot 410 is a Written Tycoon colt from Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}), who was one of the first Group 1 winners raced by Mr Zhang.

“He’s by a champion sire who needs no introduction and is out of a two-time Group 1-winning Frankel mare. He’s everything you’d expect from such a stallion’s pedigree. He’s a lovely strong bodied horse with a great action and is a lovely deep liver chestnut. A gorgeous horse who has been popular so far,” said Yulong’s Harry King.

“Hungry Heart died, so he’s also very sentimental for us as she was our flag-bearing race mare. I think he’ll be sharper than you think and just look at the build-up on sires on the page with Frankel, Pivotal, and Azamour.”

Hungry Heart has a full brother to this colt on the ground. Champion 3YO Filly in Australia in 2020/21, Hungry Heart won the G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Vinery Stud Stakes and over $1.7 million.

Kia Ora Stud’s Lot 28 is a Farnan colt from G1 Coolmore Classic winner Lighthouse (USA) (Mizzen Mast {USA}).

“We are very happy with how he’s presented here. He’s a colt with lot of quality, correct, and athletic who looks like a runner. Kia Ora Stud has had a lot of success with American mares producing the likes of Wild Ruler, and outcrosses like that can add substance to a pedigree. She was a quality mare in America and then won a Group 1 here, and for Farnan to get mares like that is a plan coming to fruition,” said Kia Ora’s Shane Wright.

Lighthouse won three races in America including a Listed race, then came to Australia where she added the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes and the G1 Coolmore Classic, as well as placing twice in Group 1 company here. She was sold as a breeding prospect for $1.7 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale to Dermot Farrington Bloodstock.

Fernrigg Farm’s Lot 341 is a Zoustar colt from Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who was voted Champion Middle Distance Horse in New Zealand after winning the G1 Zabeel Classic and G1 Captain Cook Stakes, and she has a further five Group 1 placings, including in the G1 Ranvet Stakes in Sydney.

“He is a carbon copy of the mare. I spoke with Kylie Bax last week, who raced Danzdanzdance and she sent me a photo of Danzdanzdance as a yearling and you couldn’t tell them apart. He’s a super well balanced, good moving colt, with a good girth,” said Rae-Louise Kelly of Fernrigg Farm.

Danzdanzdance is a half-sister to Listed winner Le Gai Soliel (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Danza Kuduro (NZ) (Savabeel), the dam of Group 3 winner Good Banter (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}).

Widden’s Lot 296 is a Written Tycoon colt by Bella Vella (Commands). “He’s a beautiful big strong imposing foal out of the mare, with plenty of substance, and is typical of a good strong first foal. Written Tycoon is an elite sire, and this colt has been popular in early inspection which is no surprise,” said Matt Comerford of Widden Stud.

Bella Vella won 11 races, including the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, and is out of Forget The Weather (USA) (Stormy Atlantic {USA}) a winning American half-sister to stakes winners Wedlock (USA) (Maria’s Mons {USA}), Ever After (USA) (Kris S {USA}), and Extrovert (USA) (Wild Again {USA}).

Yarraman Park Stud’s Lot 304 is an I Am Invincible filly from Bonham (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) who won the G1 Levin Classic over a mile. This is the family of Group 1 winners Danendri (Danehill {USA}) and Faint Perfume (Shamardal {USA}).

“She’s a lovely first foal, a real quality type like her mother. Per Incanto leaves very attractive horses. She’s a good size with a quality head, and a great temperament, I’m very pleased with her. The mare has a full brother at home and is back in foal to I Am Invincible. This yearling is a positive start,” said Yarraman Park Stud’s Harry Mitchell.

Coolmore have two first foals among their six progeny of Group 1-winning mares, and Vinery have one, who are included below.

Coolmore’s investment paying off

Coolmore has been investing into the ownership of high-class race mares with many high profile purchases from the major broodmare sales in the past decade, and their Easter yearling draft contains the progeny of six Group 1-winning mares.

Winner of the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and G1 Vinery Stud Stakes, Shout The Bar (Not A Single Doubt) cost Coolmore $2.7 million at the 2022 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Coolmore presents her first foal, a Home Affairs colt, as Lot 158.

“This guy is the real deal. He’ll be a head turner. He’s a horse that we really think is very special and we are delighted to have him in the draft and we think he will get the mare off to a good start. He’s a real top quality Home Affairs. It’s a lot of pressure to introduce a horse like Home Affairs at the sales, but he has everyone talking with the quality of his yearlings,” said Coolmore’s John Kennedy.

G1 Tattersall’s Tiara winner Invincibella (I Am Invincible) cost Coolmore $1.3 million at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and her first two foals have garnered $750,000 and $625,000 as yearlings. Her third foal, Lot 417, is a Snitzel filly. A winner of 12 races, five of them at group level, Invincibella earned her connections $3 million on the track before Coolmore purchased her.

“She’s a beautiful filly. Her half-brother by Wootton Bassett has been named Barking Mad and was impressive in his first trial for Chris Waller the other day. She’s a typical Snitzel, very athletic and has plenty of her mum in her too.”

She has a massive pedigree too, being a half-sister to Group 3 winner Secret Blaze (Sizzling), Listed winner Extreme Flight (Extreme Choice), and Temolie (Star Witness) who is the dam of this season’s good 3-year-old Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio). Sledmere Stud will sell Invincibella’s half-brother by Stay Inside as Lot 268.

G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) has her second foal as Lot 317, a Pierro colt, and Celebrity Queen was another big investment, costing Coolmore $2.5 million at the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Coolmore retained her first foal, 2-year-old colt State Visit (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was a winner on debut and third in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes last start. State Visit runs in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes on Saturday.

“A standout in our draft. He’s a very nice horse, a lovely physical in the mould of a ‘good Pierro’. His half-brother State Visit is a lightly raced very impressive 2-year-old and we expect him to run a big race on Saturday,” said Kennedy.

Celebrity Queen has a strong pedigree, being a daughter of Listed winner Celebrity Miss (More Than Ready {USA}) who in turn is a daughter of dual Group 1 winner Miss Margaret (Marscay).

Champion 2YO Filly in Europe and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Tiggy Wiggy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) cost Coolmore 2.1 million gns (AU$4.5 million) at the 2015 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, and she had five foals by Galileo (Ire) in Ireland led by Group 1 placed Year Of The Tiger (Ire) before being covered by Frankel (GB) and sent to Australia where she foaled a colt, Lot 225.

“It was a great surprise to see a mare of that calibre arrive here," Kennedy said. "She would’ve been a head-turner at the races and she’s had a great start at stud in Europe. The Frankel colt is very well put together and we expect him to be popular.”

Personal (Fastnet Rock) came to Coolmore through a different pathway. They purchased her as a yearling at this sale in 2019 from Cressfield for $640,000. Racing in their colours, she won the G1 Victoria Oaks, and was placed in the G1 Blue Diamond, G1 Australian Oaks, and G1 MRC Thousand Guineas earning $1.2 million on the track. Her first foal, a So You Think (NZ) filly is Lot 105.

“I was just talking about to someone else about how she ticked all the boxes. She was impressive at two and high class at three. This is a very good first foal, a nice filly who is a good example of what a good So You Think looks like, and should get the mare off to a great start.”

Nakeeta Jane (So You Think {NZ}) has her third foal, Lot 80 who is a Wootton Basset {GB}) colt. Winner of the G1 Surround Stakes and placed in the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Flight Stakes, her first foal 3-year-old gelding Gatekeeper (Justify {USA}) won on debut recently.

“So You Think is starting to show he’s a good broodmare sire," Kennedy said. "The best is yet to come with the quality of mares he’s covered lately and he’ll be exciting damsire. Nakeeta Jane’s first foal Gatekeeper won well on debut and he’s just come back into the stable. Waller has some good targets for him at the end of the season.

"The Wootton Bassett colt is an athletic horse, who continues to improve through the preparation. We thought she’d suit Wootton Bassett on type and we are delighted with this result.”

Arrowfield’s quartet

The four yearlings out of Group 1-winning mares in the Arrowfield draft have arrived there through different pathways. “Most of ours are sold ‘as agent’ as we have partners in most of our stock. We are delighted with all four of these yearlings,” said Jon Freyer.

G1 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA}) won seven races and over $1.1 million. She was purchased by Katsumi Yoshida at the 2018 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale for $1.5 million and left in Australia, where three of her yearlings have sold for $2.2 million, $700,000 and $600,000, but so far none have raced. Her Snitzel colt is Lot 164.

“He’s a great moving horse, and we sold the full brother to Te Akau last year. He was being set for the big races in New Zealand, but went shinny so is being set for the spring now. He should be a nice 3-year-old and it’s exciting to have one in the wings. She’s had some bad luck, this mare. One broke his back in a paddock accident, but she has some nice ones coming through.”

Arrowfield Stud purchased triple Group 1 winner and Champion Female Sprinter Arcadia Queen (Pierro) for $3.2 million at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, and her first foal, 2-year-old colt Federalist (I Am Invincible) sold for $1 million at the Gold Coast last year. He ran fifth on debut for trainers Team Hawkes recently and is entered for Saturday’s G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes. His full brother is Lot 282.

“She was an absolute champion who won a Group 1 at 2000 metres and then started favourite in an Everest," Freyer said. "A mare with that versatility and quality is something special and her first foal runs in the Sires’ on Saturday. This yearling is a lovely big strong colt.”

Arcadia Queen is a full sister to Group 3 winner Arcadia Prince, and a half-sister to Group 2 winner Arcadia Dream (Domesday), and Listed winner Arcadia Rose (Kheleyf {USA}). Group 1 winner Regal Power (Pierro) is also from this family.

The other two Group 1 winners in the Arrowfield draft are proven broodmares, with G1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}) already the dam of dual Listed winner Waltz On By (I Am Invincible), and herself being a daughter of five-time Group 1 winner and Champion 2YO & 3YO Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice).

“We bred Miss Finland and Stay With Me, who was a super talented mare that has done a great job as a broodmare with Waltz On By and Duvana, who has just come back into work. This is a super colt, a great moving horse and a real star.”

Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old colt Duvana (Dundeel {NZ}) is a full brother to Lot 191 and he placed in the G2 Skyline Stakes at two behind Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) and was a winner at three this spring.

Champion 3YO Filly in Australia Shoals (Fastnet Rock) won three Group 1 races and her first foal is Group 3-winning 4-year-old mare Isthmus (I Am Invincible). Her fourth foal, Lot 156 is a Maurice (Jpn) filly.

“Shoals’ first foal is a Group winner, and in my opinion a Group 1 winner in waiting. This filly is simply outstanding and you probably don’t get better than her as a package.”

A quartet from Vinery Stud

The four yearlings in Vinery Stud’s draft out of Group 1-winning mares are split equally between young mares and proven broodmares and the first foal of G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner and G1 Futurity Stakes winner Sierra Sue (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ})) is Lot 162, an I Am Invincible filly.

“Sierra Sue was a high quality mare, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the style of her first foal. She’s a forward, strong filly who looks like she’ll kick off Sierra Sue’s breeding career on a positive note,” said Vinery’s Harry Roach.

Sierra Sue was purchased by Bromfield Park at the end of her racing career in an Inglis Digital sale for $1.55 million; she won nine of her 24 starts with race track earnings over $1.7 million.

The second foal of G1 Victoria Oaks winner Aristia (Lonhro) is Lot 284, a filly by Maurice (Jpn), and her first foal is a Zoustar colt named Staristia who sold for $725,000 at this sale last year.

“She’s a lovely scopey filly with plenty of quality, and being out of an Oaks winner and by Maurice, she’s got plenty of development still to come. She will grow into a high class filly. Aristia’s 2-year-old by Zoustar was impressive in a jump out last week, and Aristia has got the makings of a nice producing mare.”

Aristia is a half-sister to G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Marabi (I Am Invincible), who won her first seven starts in succession, and both are out of Group 2 winner Nakaaya (Tiger Hill {Ire}). Marabi was purchased by Arrowfield Stud as a broodmare prospect for $2.4 million through Magic Millions Virtual platform.

The other two yearlings out of Group 1 mares in Vinery’s draft are from proven broodmares, with $1.9 million earner and winner of the G1 Lightning Stakes Snitzerland (Snitzel) already the dam of G3 Maribyrnong Plate winner Hard Landing. Her Zoustar colt is Lot 173. “He’s a sharp colt from a mare that has done a fantastic job. Her current 2-year-old Chisholm was stakes placed on debut and looks like a nice horse for the future. This colt is forward and a really good representation of both sire and dam.”

Chisholm (I Am Invincible) was purchased by Kia Ora Stud for $500,000 and the 2-year-old filly is trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. She ran second to Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) in the R. Listed Inglis Nursery on debut.

Mossman mare Plucky Belle was a fantastic race mare, winning the G1 Coolmore Classic and four other races, and her Too Darn Hot (GB) colt is Lot 109. With the sire smoking hot at the moment, this colt is a half-brother to two winners including 3-year-old colt Gallant Son (Written Tycoon) who ran second in the Listed Sunlight Classic to Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) last weekend.

“He’s a really good physical representative of his sire Too Darn Hot. A colt with good depth and strength, and he’s been a colt we’ve held in high regard since he was born. He has plenty of quality, by a sire who can’t put a foot wrong. And now his half-brother is showing good ability with a second on Saturday at Flemington in a Listed race.”

For buyers who want to purchase a son or daughter of an elite race mare, there are 33 opportunities at the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.