From The Paddock

From The Paddock is our regular newsletter, which focuses on following the progress of Kitchwin Hills bred horses as they hit the racetracks of Australia and beyond. We also highlight happenings on and off the farm as they come to hand.

Phelan on top of the world
Phelan Ready emulated the great Dance Hero when producing his trademark whirlwind finish to clinch the 2009 Golden Slipper Stakes by an ever increasing 3 lengths at Rosehill on Saturday.

On a track which was severely rain affected, it was a guessing game as to who would handle the going best. Phelan Ready had not run on wet tracks and connections were as in the dark as anyone as to his chances. However those doubts were quickly dissolved as he settled well at the rear of the field and appeared to be handling the going. Approaching the home turn jockey Brad Rawiller elected not to scout wide to find better going but stayed to the inside cutting the corner. It proved to be a masterstroke as Phelan Ready, full of running, burst through near the rail and put the race beyond doubt in a matter of strides. This performance rated as one of the most dominant Slipper victories in recent years and puts Phelan Ready up with some of the best Slipper winners of all time.

With his victory in what is the world’s richest juvenile event along with his Magic Millions win, Phelan Ready now has the stakes earning record for a 2YO. With prizemoney in excess of $3.2 million, Phelan Ready’s next run will probably be in the AJC Sires’ Produce at Randwick the Saturday following Derby day. His pattern of racing is such that a step up to 1400m and further will suit. He will be a short priced favourite in whatever he competes in now as opposed to the 25/1 and bigger quotes that he had on Slipper day.

Phelan Ready was bred by Mr. Carl Holt. Mr. Holt has been a longtime client of Kitchwin Hills and has made a massive investment in the thoroughbred industry. Having a strict policy of breeding only the crème de la crème, it is great to see it pay off with a horse of the quality of Phelan Ready, every breeders dream. We are extremely pleased for Carl as it is the realization of a lot of planning investment and hard work that goes into producing champions of the quality of Phelan Ready.

Phelan Ready is by leading sire More Than Ready. A brilliant juvenile himself, More Than Ready has been a wonderful source of precocious speed and has the enviable record of producing back to back Slipper winners; Phelan Ready and Sebring, as well as back to back Magic Millions winners; Phelan Ready and Augusta Proud. He is without a doubt the finest juvenile sire at stud in Australia today.

Phelan Ready is the second foal of Blevic’s Adelaide Guineas (Gr3) winner Nancy Eleanor. She in turn is out of the 10 time winning At Talaq mare Mrs Parnell who has also left the good middle distance performer, Baughurst (Tayasu Tsuyoshi) 9 wins to date including the David Jones Cup (Gr3) and Stillme (Blevic) 5 wins including the SAJC New Years Gift (L), etc. This family has been a consistent producer of blacktype performers for several generations.

Phelan Ready was bred raised and sold by Kitchwin Hills’ going through the 2008 Magic Millions draft to Bruce McLachlan for $150,000. Such was the belief that McLachlan had in the horse; he was the only one that he nominated for the Golden Slipper. This has turned out to be a great testament to a fantastic judge of a horse and has given him his greatest highlight in 30 plus years of training.

Phelan Ready as a foal – a hint of things to come

Phelan Ready as a weanling

Phelan Ready as a Yearling

Phelan Ready after winning the 2009 Magic Millions 2YO Classic

Phelan Ready winning the 2009 Golden Slipper

Kitchwin bucks the trend at Easter
The 2009 Easter Sale concluded on Wednesday with Kitchwin Hills having its most successful Easter ever despite the sale suffering severe declines in average, median and aggregate prices.

It truly was a testament to the quality and depth of the draft that saw Kitchwin finish its sale with a 100% clearance rate, record average and a farm record highest price yearling sold. Mention must also be made to the exceptional turnout of the yearlings. Yearling manager Bess Lamont and her assistant Rosie Gutteridge are to be applauded for their tireless efforts in preparing the yearlings which were adjudged the best at the sale.

Below are the links to the sale interviews by Mick Malone and Bess Lamont – obviously public speaking is not their strong point – but still very enjoyable!

Mick Malone Interview
http://www.racenettv.com.au/default.asp?f=3AE09.asx&h=video-090406-mick.wmv&a=12&th=3ae

Bess Lamont Interview
http://www.racenettv.com.au/default.asp?f=F941B.asx&h=video-090407-bess.wmv&a=9&th=f94

Easter Sale Results

Pictured above: Redoute’s Choice-Wiener 07 who topped the Kitchwin draft at $900,000

Saturday April 11
Newcastle JC
1:25pm Race 3 www.Hpca.Org.Au Maiden H., A$14000 1300m
    Slight Trace (AUS) 2006 (G. by Dane Shadow-Azure)- $25,000 Classic Yearling – will need to improve on his first up effort

Sunday April 12
Mornington RC
4:13pm Race 7 Lindt H., A$22500 1500m
    Miss Zapper (AUS) 2005 (F. by Red Ransom-Volted In)- $300,000 Easter Yearling – ran ok in her first start back; will appreciate the step up to 1500m
Macau JC
14:30 Race 2 Lion Rock, M$255000 1500m
    San Rico - Simshan Jaguar (Mac.) (AUS) 2004 (G. by Flying Spur-Mascara Magic)- $80,000 Magic Millions Yearling – half to brother to Shadow Assassin and Definitive - won last start and can repeat the close

Monday April 13
AJC
2:30pm Race 4 Fernhill H. L, A$110000 1600m
    Shadow Miss (AUS) 2006 (F. by Dane Shadow-Best Out West) - Passed in at 2008 Magic Millions Premier – has shown that she is a filly with a touch of class – a winning chance? Good luck Grahame