Segenhoe Stud

Anyone who has had the joy of witnessing the birth of a foal or watching a yearling grow out, will know the processes behind delivering outstanding individuals for the track are anything but production line.

However, from the metronomic manner with which Segenhoe Stud produces Stakes performers, a novice could be forgiven for thinking otherwise.

Consistent excellence over many a year has led to Segenhoe becoming the ‘go-to’ farm to buy a Stakes winner. As General Manager Peter O’Brien explained “The benchmark for sale drafts was Segenhoe’s 2019 Gold Coast offerings from which came a stunning 6 Group winners, (that’s a mere 26% of the draft) including dual Gr1 winning two year-old King’s Legacy and recent Gr1 Epsom Handicap winner Ellsberg. Segenhoe is the leading farm in the country for percentage of Stakes performers to go through the ring at 16%.” Here is one of those occasions where the indisputable numbers point to unchallenged excellence. Amongst those 16%, and an example of the quality that grazes the pasture on the Aberdeen property, is the girl of the moment,

In Secret. The daughter of I Am Invincible was such a commanding winner of the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, the world is very much her oyster. And she was there for all to buy had anyone wanted to top Godolphin’s A$900,000 bid out of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale of 2021. “Off the farm we had eight Stakes performing two year-olds last season, led off by In Secret and Amelia’s Jewel, which is a lot for 70 yearlings each year. Besides those fillies and Ellsberg our recent Stakes performers include As Time Goes By, Rocketing By, Dynasties, Holyfield, Poland and Let’srollthdice along with the unbeaten Airman who looks Stakes class. And now from Segenhoe’s 2022 draft have come two runners both of which have started in Stakes races including the Rubick filly Rubicon Crossing who was a winner on debut and is now Stakes placed.

“Potential buyers will need to set aside a little more time to inspect the Segenhoe draft this January, for as a result of the farm’s continued success at Bundall, Segenhoe will present its largest January draft ever. It has always been a very successful sale for us not only in the ring, but subsequently on the racetrack. On the back of that success we have chosen to send a bigger draft of 31 yearlings up there this year, but it is still the best draft we have ever had.”

With a draft of such quality, to point out a single reason each lot would make appeal would make this a weighty tome, so Peter kindly gave us his thoughts on three fillies and three colts the market should clamber for.

Starting with the fillies Peter went straight to a lass bound to be on everyone’s inspection list, Lot 76. “The obvious standout is the Pierata filly out of Loving Gaby. She ticks all the boxes being out of a multiple Gr1 winner, but she has the looks to match. She is as good a first foal as you will ever see.”

Pierata will be one of a number of first season sires with stock on show on the Gold Coast and he has found a fan in the Segenhoe man. “We have a good few Pieratas on the farm and I couldn’t be more impressed with them. We have two other beautiful Pieratas going to the Gold Coast, one a colt out of a half-sister to Anamoe, Lot 603 out of the New Approach mare Amuletum, and another out of the multiple Group winner Oregon’s Day by Domesday

Ellsberg

to sell as Lot 204. The Pieratas in our draft all have size and scope and importantly they have substance and are all very mature, precocious looking animals.”

Returning to the pick of the Segenhoe fillies Peter next opted for Lot 256. “We have a beautiful Zoustar filly out of the Stakes winner Pretty In Pink, which is a first foal. For me she is the right type of Zoustar, low-slung with a great action. And she’s got the inbreeding to Redoute’s Choice that seems to work so well with Zoustar. Pretty In Pink was good enough to cross the line first in a Gr2.”

Rounding out the fillies Peter fancied Lot 326. “Then there is the Exceed And Excel filly out of the Gr3 winner Samovare, a Savabeel half-sister to the Gr2 winner at two Tiger Of Malay and the Gr3 winner Samizdat. She’s just your typical beautiful Exceed filly, great head, very mature, lovely action from a very fast, sprinting family, and that’s what this filly looks like. She gives the impression she could run a race next month rather than in twelve months!”

When it came to the colts Peter didn’t mince words in naming his pick of the bunch. “The star of the draft will be the I Am Invincible colt out of Anaheed, a three-time Gr2 winning sprinting daughter

of Fastnet Rock that was also Gr1 placed. He’s another first foal that doesn’t look it - he’s a big, mature Vinnie but he exudes quality with a great action.” The colt will sell as Lot 606.

King's Legacy

From the tone of Peter’s voice it was clear he also fancies Lot 910. “He’s by Deep Field out of the multiple Stakes winner Granny Red Shoes who we raced, and is as good a Deep Field as I’ve ever seen. A very mature, very correct, beautiful mover, I think he will test the record for a Deep Field at auction because he’s a real one.”

In a draft full of potential stars Peter made a colt by Snitzel out of Dissident’s half-sister Diana’s Star, Lot 789, his third pick of the boys. “For me, what you are looking for in a good Snitzel this fellow has, beautifully balanced, has quality and the perfect action. An earlier foal out of Diana’s Star was sold through the Hong Kong International Sale for good money and reports are he is well thought of, while her two year-old is with Tony Gollan who has a big opinion of her. To me the mare has her foot on the springboard and this is the best foal she has had.”

It must have been hard to leave out Lot 682, a Zoustar halfbrother to the Gr1 ATC Sires Produce and Gr1 Champagne Stakes’ winner King’s Legacy who sold out of this ring four years ago.

“Out of Breakfast In Bed he is typical of the family, strong, shortcoupled, great action and looks like a fast, early two year-old like most of his relations.”

So given the consistent success of Segenhoe as a vendor we asked Peter what buyers can expect come January. “To compare the 2023 draft, I honestly think this is the best balanced group of yearlings we have taken to a Magic Millions sale in that there won’t be any tail in the draft as far as I’m concerned. And while I’ve highlighted a few lots, picking standouts is incredibly difficult and I’d be happy to own any one of these yearlings, sentiments backed up by Magic Millions when they undertook their inspections. We will be going to the sale in a buoyant mood and full of confidence because we know we have the right horses. Not only are we getting results on and off the track with the Segenhoe mares but we are very fortunate to have a very strong client base who all aim for quality. It takes a while for those results to surface, but in the last few years the better quality mares off the track have started to filter through and it follows then that we are able to offer the best quality yearlings we have ever had.”

www.segenhoegroup.com.au | Peter O’Brien: 0411 852 149 | Brian Clarke: 0448 302 436 | Dennis Gilmanov: 0488 716 339