GROUP 1 SUCCESS FOR DANROAD

06/10/2008

The Danehill stallion Danroad - whose first northern hemisphere crop will be sold as yearlings this year - had a Group 1 success in Australia on Monday when two-year-old Rockdale won the Group 1 Racetree T J Smith Stakes at Eagle Farm with a pillar-to-post victory.

Danroad, who raced in the colours of Hong Kong Breeders Club co-founder Peter Yip, has made a great start with his first Australasian crop. As well as Rockdale, his other flagbearers include the Listed second Amazing Sky.

A top-class juvenile himself, Danroad won four races in succession as a two-year-old including the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes at Trentham. He finished runner-up in the Group 1 Ford Manawatu Siresʼ Produce Stakes and was the second leading colt on the 2001 New Zealand Two-Year-Old Free Handicap.

He now shuttles between Highview Stud in New Zealand and Ed Sextonʼs Rathmuck Stud in Co Kildare, Ireland, where he has been well supported and has around 70 foals from mares covered last year.

John McGrath, racing manager to the Hong Kong Breeders Club, commented: "Danroadʼs first two-year-olds in Australia and New Zealand have made a superb start and his first-crop European yearlings have proved a big hit with everyone who has seen them.
"From Doncasterʼs St Leger Sale onwards, we expect him to be well represented at all the major yearling sales. He is currently at Rathmuck Stud and still available for late-foaling mares before he heads back to New Zealand."

The Hong Kong Breeders Club will be offering its first crop of European yearlings this year and - as well and an extensive draft by Danroad - they will also be consigning youngsters by the likes of Antonius Pius, Dr Fong, Forestry, Invincible Spirit, Motivator  Starcraft and Whipper,as well as the Pastoral Pursuit's colt out of Midnight Angel who like his brother Dark Angel will be offered at Doncaster.

Meanwhile, there was more good news for the Hong Kong Breeders Club in Japan at the weekend when Armada, trained by John Size, finished second in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo. Armada is by the Last Tycoon stallion Towkay, who was recently added to the Hong Kong Breeders Club portfolio.

For further information, please contact John McGrath:
Mobile (UK): +44 (0) 7976 742401
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1909 488114
E-mail: powerhorse@ireland.com
Mobile (UK): +44 (0) 7976 742401Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 1909 488114E-mail: powerhorse@ireland.com