Trans-Tasman success for Rich Hill Stud
Rich Hill Stud celebrated Group One success on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday, highlighted by homebred and raced mare She’s A Dealer (NZ) (Ace High) giving farm principal John Thompson his first elite-level win as an owner.
The daughter of resident stallion Ace High achieved that feat in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Trentham for trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, replicating her dam Say No More’s success in the race.
The day got even better for the farm on the other side of the Tasman when fellow homebred mare Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) won the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill, and earlier in the day at Flemington the farm’s resident stallion Satono Aladdin recorded success when his daughter Satono Glow (NZ) took out the Gr.3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
Thompson, who was on course at Rosehill to see Aeliana win, was duly rapt with the farm’s success.
“That’s the first time we’ve bred Group One winners in New Zealand and Australia on the same day and She’s A Dealer is the first Group One winner I’ve owned,” he said.
“We’ve got the full package really with the stallion Ace High, She’s A Dealer and her half-sister Say Satono, who’s won seven races and been stakes placed this season.”
The Chris Waller-trained Aeliana was bred by Rich Hill with Nearco Stud and is a daughter of Castelvecchio and the Star Witness mare Temolie, who was purchased in foal for A$200,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Aeliana was sold out of Rich Hill’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $180,000 to Star Thoroughbreds and added the Tancred title to her previous Group One victories in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Australian Derby (2000m).
“We retained the half-sister to Aeliana by Proisir and the mother’s in foal to Dundeel, so it’s pretty exciting for us,” Thompson said.
Meanwhile at Flemington, Satono Glow remained unbeaten after she followed up her debut win at Warwick Farm with further success in the Breeders’ Stakes.
Bred by Sydney doctor Phil Chen, she is out of the Pins mare Electrode and was sold out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka for $260,000 to O’Shea Charlton Racing and James Bester Bloodstock. – NZ Racing Desk
