As well as being loyal Darley clients, owners and breeders Mark and Tony Carusi are undoubtedly good judges of bloodstock for whom persistence has had its reward.
In 2009 the brothers bought the former Darley-owned filly Mignard for a modest $18,000, and have since sent her to the Darley stallions Street Boss, Hard Spun (twice), Domesday, Kuroshio (twice) and Exosphere.
Carusi’s sent their mare to Hard Spun two consecutive breeding seasons and on the mares second visit, they hit the jackpot when Mignard produced the three-time G1 winner Le Romain.
At the Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne this week Phoenix Broodmare Farm as agent for Mark and Tony, will offer the second of Mignard’s Kuroshio foals, and another half-brother to Le Romain, as Lot 509 (pictured below).
The yearling being offered was reared, like Le Romain, at Greta West Stud in Victoria where he is compared favourably to his celebrated half-brother.
“He’s a beautifully balanced colt, well put-together and will really look the part at the sale,” said Greta West’s Laurie McCarthy.
“We sent him over to Damien Gleeson to be prepped at Phoenix Broodmare Farm and they’re very happy to be taking him to the sale.”
A nicely-bred filly, Mignard is related to the 2013 G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Long John (Street Cry) who also won the G3 UAE Two Thousand Guineas and to the Listed winner and G1 placegetter Pursuits (Lonhro).
The colt from Mignard is one of 10 Kuroshio yearlings catalogued at the Premier sale.
