A consortium of the industry’s best descended on the Marnong Estate in Mickleham, 45 minutes north of Melbourne, to celebrate the success of Victorian-bred and -sired horses in a ceremony hosted by Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) on Saturday, 29 July which saw Brazen Beau and Street Boss receive top honours.
Darley’s Head of Sales Andy Makiv said of the annual awards, “It’s a great industry here in Victoria and it’s enjoying more and more investment.”
“Just fantastic to recognise the hard work and dedication of everyone in the industry down here.”
G1-winning and G1-producing sire Brazen Beau received two Champion awards for the performances of his daughters Exploring and Zapateo.
The former, a daughter of Cristobal (Exceed And Excel), was crowned Champion Victorian-bred Two-Year-Old for 2022/23 following a juvenile season that saw her race on six occasions for three metro wins including a dominant one-length winning performance in the G2 Blue Diamond Prelude (Fillies).
“For a filly like her, bred off Northwood Park by a resident stallion in Brazen Beau to win Champion Two-Year-Old, it’s a feather in the cap of not only the Godolphin system but also of Brazen Beau - who we think is a very good stallion,” said Makiv.
The James Cummings-trained Zapateo (out of Jerezana by Street Cry) was awarded the Champion Victorian-bred Racehorse for 2022/23 having produced a season-best record which included four Group wins including the G2 Sapphire Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Randwick.
“She’s obviously a very good multiple Group-winning mare, a multiple G1-placed mare,” continued Makiv. “Courtesy of her performances in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, she’s been rewarded for her consistency at G1 and G2 level.”
Of Brazen Beau, Makiv said, “Probably what’s important is that we had very little luck with him early getting stock on the ground. As a result, we (Godolphin) haven’t had a lot of performers by Brazen Beau, but the ones we have had have performed very well.”
“Our numbers coming through are more significant. We have a big group of yearlings rising two years old, a big group of weanlings on the ground and a big group of mares in foal.”
“He’s made very good start to his stud career over the journey largely without the help of the Godolphin broodmare band, with exception of the couple I’ve mentioned.”
Rounding out the trio at the awards was the Peter Moody-trained She Dances (Street Boss) who was crowned Champion Victoria VOBIS Racehorse for 2022/23.
“Bred by a great friend and terrific Darley/Godolphin supporter in Des Pope, from one of his great families,” said Makiv.
“It’s marvellous to see Des breed another good horse and great for the owners including Gerry Ryan. He put some friends in, including Frank Sedgman - so it’s a very sporting ownership.”
Street Boss returns to Northwood Park following two seasons in the Hunter Valley, he and Brazen Beau will be available at fees of $66,000 (inc GST) and $44,000 (inc GST) respectively.
It's @godolphin again! 🔵
— Racing.com (@Racing) February 11, 2023
Exploring led throughout & won the fillies edition of the Blue Diamond Prelude 👌 @CWilliamsJockey pic.twitter.com/VtXTM293wg
🏆SAPPHIRE STAKES (G2)
— 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙍𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 (@WorldRacing1) April 8, 2023
1200m, $300.000
🇦🇺 Royal Randwick
Zapateo (AUS)
(4M Brazen Beau x Jerezana, by Lonhro)
J : James McDonald
T : James Cummings
O :Godolphin
B : Godolphin Australiapic.twitter.com/RucKUBr6Us
It's a Peter Moody quinella in the opening race at Flemington 💥
— Racing.com (@Racing) December 17, 2022
She Dances proves too good for River Noire 💃 @moodyracingpgm pic.twitter.com/WccecHUHjx
🔥 THE EVOLUTION OF STREET BOSS 🔥
— TTR AusNZ (@TTRAusNZ) July 23, 2023
From his first SW 2YO Bosco in 2012 to siring @godolphin’s first and only 9x Group 1 winner by 2023, Anamoe. Street Boss has sired over 63 SW and 24 Group winners worldwide.
He stands at @DarleyAus for the 2023 season for $66,000 inc. GST. pic.twitter.com/UyGzOfigUx
