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| Real Special Result in Hong Kong and at Karaka |
8 Feb 2008 |
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 Talented three-year-old Real Special (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) notched up his second win in Hong Kong last weekend with a classy victory in a Class Three event over 1800m. From only four starts, Real Special has two wins and a second to his credit and looks as though he will move through the grades nicely for the stable of John Size.
Bred by Trelawney Stud and sold from our Karaka 2006 Select draft, Real Special was purchased by Ginger Tankard for $75,000.
The success achieved by progeny of Van Nistelrooy in recent months ensured that his yearlings were well sought after at Karaka 2008. With 21 yearlings coming under the hammer, Van Nistelrooy achieved a top price of $200,000, this coming in the Select Sale for a colt bred and sold by Haunui Farm out of Shades Of Silk (Aus) (Thunder Gulch). The colt was purchased by Dr Omie Rangabashyam, a client of Singapore trainer David Hill who in 2006, purchased a Van Nistelrooy colt at NZB’s Ready-to-Run Sale, that being Group winner and Group performer, Onceuponatime (NZ).
Van Nistelrooy’s sale average was just over $75,000 for seventeen yearlings sold.
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| One, two, three, four! |
8 Oct 2007 |
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Another week and another influx of winners for Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat). The young stallion has been consistently producing winners in both hemispheres since the beginning of the new season and in the middle of September, sired seven winners in fourteen days from his first southern hemisphere crop. With a Grade One winner in the USA, Group Two winner in England and Group Three winner in Singapore already to his credit, Van Nistelrooy has made a solid start to his stallion career and the last seven days have seen a further four stakes performers added to his growing list.
Boundless (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) became her sire’s second stakes performer in New Zealand on the 29th of September, running on late for third in the Listed Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) behind the smart fillies Lovetrista (NZ) (Rock Of Gibraltar) and Keepa Cruisin (NZ) (Keeper). Whilst the result was another feather in the cap of Van Nistelrooy who stood at Trelawney Stud in his four seasons in New Zealand, the result was even sweeter with Trelawney Stud’s Brent and Cherry Taylor the breeders of the filly whilst Cherry still owns a share in her.
Another stand out performer of Van Nistelrooy’s first Southern Hemisphere crop has been the Peter Moody-trained Pit Lane (NZ). The winner of three in-a-row as a two-year-old, the chestnut colt finished second in his first start this preparation and lined up at Flemington on Saturday in the Listed VRC Concept Sports Stakes (1400m). Settling in mid-field, Pit Lane was momentarily boxed-in in the run home but once in the clear, finished the race out strongly to claim third and become the first stakes performer for his sire in Australia. “I was very pleased with his run on Saturday and he’ll go forward to the Caulfield Guineas with the blinkers back on,” says Peter Moody.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Group Two-winner Strike The Deal (USA) (Van Nistelrooy) franked his form by finishing second in the Group One Middlepark Stakes (1200m) at Newmarket on Friday whilst two-year-old filly Raymi Coya (CAN) (Van Nistelrooy) added to her stakes placing in the Listed Dick Poole Fillies Stakes (1200m) with victory in the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes (1400m) at Newmarket the following day to become Van Nistelrooy’s fourth stakes winner from his first Northern Hemisphere crop.
Last season’s Champion Juvenile of Singapore Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) became his sire’s first stakes winner in the Southern Hemisphere toward the end of last season when he took out the SIN-G3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m). Friday saw him make a winning return to the track at Kranji after a short spell. Racing over 1200m against the older horses, Onceuponatime impressed his trainer David Hill enough for him to state after the race, “before tonight I thought he was a fair horse, now I think he’s a very, very good horse.” Onceuponatime has faced the starter on five occasions with three wins and two thirds to his credit.
“Each week Van Nistelrooy is producing more winners and it was certainly pleasing to see Pit Lane run so well on Saturday,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “People are really starting to take note of Van Nistelrooy’s results and we have been fielding a number of enquiries for his progeny,” he said. “I know I’ve said it before but there are still so many of his progeny we haven’t even seen yet so there could be some exciting times ahead,” says Brent.
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| Winners Keep Rolling for Van Nistelrooy |
22 Sep 2007 |
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The last two weeks have been nothing but prolific for the progeny of Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) in both hemispheres.
Hot off the back of siring his first Grade One winner in the USA at the beginning of September, the young son of Storm Cat (USA) (Storm Bird) has sired seven winners in the last fourteen days from his first Southern Hemisphere Crop.
The run started in Japan through the deeds of Cosmo Kilauea (NZ) who notched his third win in a row – his first at three after first beating the older horses twice as a two-year-old. Vandaloo (NZ) was next to add his name to the list winning over 1200m at Kilmore. A few days later, Shevchenko (NZ) put in an impressive effort at Taupo to win over 1200m on debut and back in Australia, Facundo (NZ) won the following day at the Gold Coast over the same distance.
Racing at Paeroa this past Wednesday provided an uncanny double for Van Nistelrooy with jockey Mark Du Plessis picking up the rides unexpectedly on two Van Nistelrooy fillies at the meeting. An excellent ride on Vannista Belle (NZ) resulted in a three-quarter-length victory in race two, an effort that saw her sit outside the leader over the 1670m trip and fight on well for what was in the end a comfortable victory. In the last of the day, Du Plessis was on board the Stephen McKee-trained filly Boundless (NZ) with the pair romping away to a three length margin at the post.
“The winners have been ticking over nicely,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud, “and it’s nice to see some more of his Southern Hemisphere crop stepping out and doing the job,” he said. “Arguably Van Nistelrooy’s results in the Northern Hemisphere are nothing short of fantastic with a Grade One winner in the USA and a Group Two winner in England along with multiple stakes performers,” said Brent, “and we’ll look forward to seeing more of his Southern Hemisphere crop in Australia and New Zealand over the next few months,” he said. “Hopefully he can get some more black type on the board down here which would be great for those breeders with yearlings by him and, mares due to foal to him this season,” says Brent.
From his first Southern Hemisphere crop, now three-year-olds, Van Nistelrooy has produced nine individual winners including the Champion Juvenile of Singapore in Onceuponatime, along with nine place getters and the stakes placed filly Vanny Fair (NZ). This weekend, Pit Lane (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) returns to the track for the Peter Moody stable. The winner of three of his five starts, he has impressed Moody with the way he has stepped up through the grades and all going well he will he will take his place in some of the nice races throughout the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
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| First Grade One Winner for Van Nistelrooy |
5 Sep 2007 |
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 Exciting filly Set Play (USA) (Van Nistelrooy) added to the stakes tally of her exciting young sire Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) when taking out the Grade One Del Mar Debutante Stakes (1400m) in California this past weekend.
Trained by Peter Miller, she was a US$105,000 purchase from the Ocala Breeders March 2YO Sale and has quickly established a consistent record on track with two wins and two placings from four starts, including a third at listed level and a last start second in the Group Two Del Mar Sorrento Stakes (1300m).
Now the fourth stakes winner for her sire, the third from his Northern Hemisphere crop, she joins the stakeswinner Maileys Cat (USA) and stakes performer Sammy Van Ammy (USA) as her sire’s leading performers in the USA to date, elevating him to second on the Freshman Sire’s table.
In Europe, Van Nistelrooy has also been represented by Group Two-winner Strike The Deal (USA), who earlier in the season claimed the Group Two Richmond Stakes (1200m) and ran third in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin (1100m) in France.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Van Nistelrooy has produced the Champion two-year-old of Singapore, Onceuponatime (NZ) who took out the SIN-G3 Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m) and the stakes placed filly Vanny Fair (NZ).
“The results speak for themselves really,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “It is fantastic to get a Grade One winner from his first crop in the USA and to also have a Group Two winner in England at this stage of the Northern Hemisphere racing season is a great effort,” he said. “He has also had a stakes winner and stakes performer from his first Southern Hemisphere crop so you really can’t ask for much more,” says Brent.
Van Nistelrooy retired to Trelawney Stud in 2003, shuttling for four seasons from Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in the USA and it was decided earlier this year that he should take a break from shuttle duties. “After shuttling four consecutive seasons, we thought it was a good time to take a step back and let his progeny get out onto the racetracks,” said Brent. “It’s safe to say that we are still to see a large number of the Van Nistelrooy’s hit the tracks in New Zealand and Australia and the feedback from trainers continues to reiterate the positives that his progeny have shown in stables over the last season,” he said. “We are more than happy with the results so far and obviously look forward to the racing season ahead,” said Brent.
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| Van Nistelrooy Makes Impact with First Crop |
6 Aug 2007 |
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The 2006/2007 racing season saw the first crop of Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) hit the racetracks and upon season’s end, his two-year-olds performing well on Southern Hemisphere soil and they have already made their presence felt only partway through the Northern Hemisphere season.
Arguably the best result to date for Van Nistelrooy was the win of Strike The Deal (USA) (Van Nistelrooy) in the Group Two Richmond Stakes (1200m) at Goodwood on Friday. Unlucky when third in his last start in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin (1100m), Strike The Deal has won two of four starts and may head toward the Group One Prix Morny in a fortnight’s time.
Van Nistelrooy got his first points on the board through the deeds of Vanny Fair (NZ) who broke her maiden tag in her first start in January. Trained by Ross Elliott, toward the end of the season she became her sire’s first stakes performer when finishing second to stablemate and fellow Trelawney graduate Martini Red (Aus) (Red Ransom). “She showed me a lot right from the start,” said Ross Elliott. “I couldn’t have asked much more of her this season and she’s having a well earned rest at the moment,” he said. “We’ll look at either a Guineas preparation for her or, maybe give her a bit more time in the paddock and look at the nice filly’s races around December and the early New Year,” he said.
Australia has seen the Peter Moody-trained Pit Lane (NZ) notch up three wins in-a-row with Moody now aiming to have him firing toward the end of the Melbourne Spring. “I’ve just bought him back into work and will look to have him going forward to races like the Carbine Club Stakes and Sandown Guineas,” said Peter. “He did a lot more than we expected him to last time in so he should hopefully move on from there,” he said.
In Singapore, Van Nistelrooy was represented by the smart colt Onceuponatime (NZ). Bred and sold by one of Trelawney Stud’s partners in Van Nistelrooy, Haunui Farm, the colt won his second start by ten-and-a-half lengths and proved this effort was not a one-off when winning the Group Three Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m) at season’s end, beating the race favourite on the way in Singapore’s major two-year-old event of the season. Trained by David Hill who purchased the colt at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready-to-Run Sale, claims are his three-year-old season will be even better still. “Whatever he is now, he is going to be twice as good in a year’s time and a year again after that,” said David Hill after the race on the 27th of July. “He is going to develop into a very nice horse,” he said.
Victory has also come in Japan for progeny of Van Nistelrooy when last weekend, two-year-old Cosmo Kilauea (NZ) broke his maiden status against the older horses. This colt would have to be awarded the “Tough Guy of the Year Award” with his efforts at two. In his first raceday start, he was lined up against three-year-olds over 1800m in March and at two week intervals was lined up again over 1800m and 2000m respectively Lining up consistently since his first raceday appearance, a drop back in distance has proven a success with two seconds in his two starts previous.
From 24 runners from his first Southern Hemisphere crop, Van Nistelrooy has posted four individual winners, a Singapore Group-winner and, a stakes performer. He has also had six individual placegetters.
The Northern Hemisphere has seen 23 runners with eight winners so far, among them Group winner and placegetter Strike The Deal in Europe whilst in the USA he has produced the stakes winning filly Mailey’s Cat (USA) and stakes placed colt Set Play (USA).
“When you look at the overall statistics, you couldn’t really ask for much more,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Van Nistelrooy has had a stakes winner and stakes performer from his first Southern Hemisphere crop and a stakeswinner and two stakes performers from his first Northern Hemisphere crop so far,” he said. “We can only look forward to seeing more of his progeny this season and with the opportunity that he has been given at stud, particularly in New Zealand, I’m sure there will be many more successes to come,” he said.
With many of his first southern hemisphere crop still to hit the track, the new season offers many more opportunities for success. “With only 24 starters from his first southern hemisphere crop so far, there are still plenty that we haven’t seen yet,” said Brent. “We’ve kept in contact with trainers who have progeny of Van Nistelrooy in their stables and the underlying factor coming through is the great temperaments that they have,” he said. “There has been plenty of education and preparation going on behind the scenes and I’m sure we will see some top class performers emerging this season, said Brent.
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| First Group Winner for Van Nistelrooy |
30 Jul 2007 |
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 Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) made quite an impression in Singapore two starts back breaking his maiden with a ten-and-a-half length win over 1200m. On Friday, the big, strong, chestnut colt proved that he could also foot it with the best of his age group, and beat them, in the Group Three Magic Millions Juvenile Championship (1200m), the only major event for two-year-olds on the Singapore racing calendar.
The win gave young sire Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) his first points on the board in the Southern Hemisphere when it comes to Group racing. It was a first for British trainer David Hill too – his first Group winner in Singapore after a very successful career training in Hong Kong. Ecstatic with the result, Hill commented, “whatever he is now, he will be twice as good in a year’s time and a year again after that. He is going to develop into a very nice horse.”
Jumping from a wide barrier, the speed was on early with jockey Ronnie Stewart deciding to settle on the rails in mid-field after some buffeting early on. Turning for home, Onceuponatime was in a perfect position to pounce and with a clear run, the colt knuckled down to the task of reeling in race favourite Handsom Jazz (Aus) (Show A Heart). “He was pretty green in the run,” said Stewart. “It was a great win in the end, he tried very hard and is a horse that will go far,” he said.
Bred by Haunui Farm and Jim & Leslie Ottway, Onceuponatime caused his fair share of problems as a yearling missing both the New Zealand Premier Sale and Sydney Easter Sale due to injury niggles. Eventually sold through the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready-to-Run Sale in November, the colt was purchased by David Hill for $60,000.
“It was great to hear the result on Saturday morning and it’s nice to get a Group winning two-year-old from Van Nistelrooy’s first crop,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “There is no doubting that Singapore racing is very competitive, especially in these types of races and when you watch the video, it was a fairly impressive effort from the horse,” said Brent.
In total, Van Nistelrooy has had eleven winners in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere combined. In the North, he’s had the stakes winning filly Mailey’s Cat (USA) and the stakes placed Set Play (USA) whilst in the Southern Hemisphere he’s had Onceuponatime, Vanny Fair and Pit Lane – the winner of three-in-a-row in Australia. “From his first Southern Hemisphere crop, Van Nistelrooy has produced a Group Winner and a stakes placed filly so you can’t ask for much more than that,” says Brent. “We can only hope for more results like this in the new season,” he said.
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| Group Two Placing for Strike The Deal |
23 Jul 2007 |
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Strike The Deal (USA) (Van Nistelrooy) added to his sire’s Northern Hemisphere tally running third in the Group Two Prix Robert Papin (1100m) in France this past weekend.
The winner of his first start at Lingfield in the middle of June, Strike The Deal lined up seven days later in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes (5f) at the Royal Ascot Meeting toward the end of June running fifth and now from his third start, has a Group Two placing in France under his belt.
Purchased by Anthony Stroud for 140,000 guineas at the Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale, the colt is trained in Newmarket by Jeremy Noseda and was piloted on Saturday by Christophe Soumillon.
Two weeks ago Van Nistelrooy scored his first stakes performer in New Zealand through the deeds of Vanny Fair (NZ) and he also has the smart galloper in Austraila Pit Lane (NZ) who has notched up three wins on end.
“This result is another step in the right direction after already having a stakes winner and stakes placegetter in America,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “They’ve got off the mark very quickly in the Northern Hemisphere in good company and more and more are starting to step out in New Zealand and Australia,” he said.
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| Vanny Fair Ends Season with Stakes Placing |
16 Jul 2007 |
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Vanny Fair (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) was her sire’s first ever winner when she won on debut in early January 2007 and she finished the season with another first for her sire – his first stakes performer in the southern hemisphere.
Beaten by stablemate and fellow Trelawney graduate Martini Red (Aus) (Red Ransom), Vanny Fair emerged from the pack in the run home, only her and third place getter Align To Infinity (NZ) (Align) the only ones making in-roads into the three-length lead Martini Red put on them turning for home.
“I knew she would go well today,” said trainer Ross Elliott. “She just keeps doing everything right and goes out for a well deserved break now,” he said.
Bred by Louie Chuidian, Vanny Fair was purchased from Trelawney’s 2006 Premier draft for $35,000 by Australian Jim Simpson. With a win and three seconds from six starts, she has fashioned a consistent race record and trainer Ross Elliott expects more from her in her three-year-old season. “I’ve always liked her,” says Ross. “She just does everything right and everything that you ask of her,” he said. “She’s ready for a spell and we’ll just see how she comes up in the spring,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy already has a stakes winner in the USA in the form of Mailey’s Cat (USA) and in Australia has the smart galloper in Pit Lane (NZ) who has won three in a row, all by margins.
“It’s very satisfying to see Van Nistelrooy get a stakes performer from his first crop and its very fitting that it should be his first ever winner,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Over the last six to eight weeks, he’s been getting winners everywhere and we’re confident this will continue into the new season,” said Brent.
Van Nistelrooy is taking a break from shuttling in 2007 after retiring to stud in 2002.
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| Three-in-a-row for Pit Lane |
9 Jul 2007 |
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The Peter Moody-trained Pit Lane (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) continued on his winning way this past Saturday with an easy victory over 1400m at Sandown.
Lining up for the first time on a Saturday, the two-year-old colt made light work of his top weight of 58kg skipping past race leader Kinugawa (Aus) (Street Cry) at the 200m to go clear by 1 ¾ lengths under jockey Luke Nolen.
Bred by Judi Wanless, Pit Lane was born and raised at Trelawney Stud before heading across the Tasman to embark on a racing career. “He just keeps getting better and better,” said Peter Moody. “We’ll have to start seriously thinking about where we’re going with him,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy has notched up eight winners in recent weeks, four in the USA, two in England, one in Australia and one in Singapore. This weekend, Vanny Fair (NZ), his first ever winner, will line up in the Listed Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka where she’ll come up against another Trelawney graduate in the form of Martini Red (NZ) (Red Ransom).
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| Winners Flowing for Van Nistelrooy |
27 Jun 2007 |
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Van Nistelrooy (USA) has been notching up winners all over the world in June, successfully landing six winners in the space of nine days.
In the USA smart filly Mailey's Cat (USA), was the first to get the ball rolling losing her maiden tag in the Listed TTA Sales Futurity over 1000m at Lone Star Park in Texas on June 9.
Just one day later, Van Nistelrooy was to the fore in Singapore when the promising galloper Onceuponatime (NZ) destroyed his opposition over 1200m by 10.5 lengths at Kranji.
Two additional winners were added to the list in America courtesy of debut wins by Set Play (USA), who scored over 1100m at Hollywood Park in California, and Starry Pursuit (USA), who scored over 900m at Arlington Park in Chicago.
On to England and two more Van Nistelrooy's added to thier sire's tally with victories at Lingfield by Strike The Deal (USA) and Raymi Coya (Can) at Lingfield over 1200m and 1000m respectively.
Back in the Southern Hemisphere there was further success last Friday when the Peter Moody-trained runner Pit Lane (NZ) registered his second Australian win, successfully scoring over 1400m at Bendigo.
And, to top things off nicely, another trails winner was added to Van Nistelrooy's tally in New Zealand with a win by the gelding out of Singing Angel (USA) (Rahy) over 900m at Te Aroha last week.
"It will be fantastic if he can continue to produce winners at this rate," said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. "More and more of his progeny are in line to be stepping out in New Zealand and Australia over the coming months and we're looking forward to seeing more pleasing results," he said.
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| Van Nistelrooy Scores Two at Lingfield |
19 Jun 2007 |
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The flat season is now in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere and the new season two-year-olds are beginning to make their appearances on the tracks.
Young stallion Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat), who did his racing from the stable of Aiden O’Brien, was represented by two winners in England last week, both of them on debut.
The first came about on the 14th of June when the chestnut colt Strike The Deal (USA) stepped out for trainer Jeremy Noseda. A 140,000 guineas purchase from the spring breeze-up sale, Strike The Deal was quick out of the gates and settled at the head of the field. Pushed all the way by the runner-up Flying Indian (GB) (Hawk Wing), Strike The Deal pulled away in the final furlong to win by two lengths.
The filly Raymi Coya (Can) (Van Nistelrooy) made it a double for her sire at Lingfield when winning on the second day of the carnival over the shorter distance of 5f (1000m). Also purchased from the spring breeze-up sale, she showed her inexperience by missing the start and racing rather greenly throughout however, in the final stages of the race, the filly finished strongly to win comfortably by a length over the race favourite Sophie’s Girl (GB) (Bahamian Bounty).
A little closer to home, Cosmo Kilauea (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) ran a close second in Japan on Saturday over 1200m. A son of multiple Group One-winner Fayreform (NZ) (Tights), he was up against the three-year-olds in a class three event. Cosmo Kilauea was sold from the Premier Draft of Haunui Farm at Karaka 2006 where he was purchased by Hajime Kaneko for $110,000.
In New Zealand, Van Nistelrooy’s first trials winner Bella Renza (NZ) came agonisingly close to getting her first win on the board when running third over 1100m at Ellerslie on Saturday. Owned by Denise Howell, she is trained by Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge.
“It is great to see Van Nistelrooy getting points on the board all around the world,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Two weeks ago he had his first winner in Australia backed up by a Listed winner in America and now, two winners in England,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “We’ve received positive reports about his progeny the whole way through and I’m sure we’ll only be seeing more of these sorts of results in the months ahead,” he said.
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| Big Wins for Van Nistelrooy |
11 Jun 2007 |
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Last weekend saw Van Nistelrooy’s first Australian winner recorded when the Peter Moody-trained Pit Lane (NZ) romped away for a six length victory in only his second start.
This weekend, the young son of Storm Cat (USA) notched up his first winner in the Northern Hemisphere through the deeds of juvenile filly Maileys Cat (USA). Having placed second on debut, the filly came out one better on Saturday to lose her maiden status scoring by half a length at Lone Star Park.
One day later and Onceuponatime (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) added to this tally with a 10.5 length victory in Singapore which now sees him being aimed at the Group Three Juvenile Championship in July.
Racing greenly, the imposing chestnut colt kicked away at the 300m mark and continued to widen the gap between himself and the opposition. Trainer David Hill, who purchased the colt for $60,000 from the draft of Haunui Farm at the 2006 Ready-to-Run Sale, reported after the race that Onceuponatime “still has a lot to learn,” whilst his jockey Mark Gallagher stated the colt has a bright future ahead
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| Handy Weekend in Australia for Van Nistelrooy |
5 Jun 2007 |
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Pit Lane (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) got his sire off the mark in Australia at Mornington on Sunday with a commanding victory in the colts and geldings two-year-old event over 1213m.
Coming wide on the turn, Pit Lane hit the lead at the 100m mark and stretched out to a six length victory over his rivals under the urgings of jockey Luke Nolen for the stable of Peter Moody and by all accounts, it was an impressive effort in testing conditions.
“He was a bit unlucky in his first start where he finished second but he bolted in on Sunday,” said Peter Moody. “We’ll look to line him up in the City in about three weeks time and will go from there,” he said. “He’s a handy type and I think he’ll improve through the grades nicely,” he said.
Bred by Judi Wanless, the colt is raced in partnership with her husband Ron and is one of numerous horses the Wanless’ have in work throughout Australia.
The Trelawney/Wanless/Moody connection has seen some outstanding success in the past including the win of Amalfi (NZ) (Carnegie) in the Group One VRC Derby. Amalfi was a $110,000 purchase by the Wanless’ from Trelawney Stud’s 2000 Premier Draft while in more recent times, that same combination produced Moonloushe (NZ) (Black Minnaloushe) - a $50,000 purchase by the Wanless’ from Trelawney’s 2005 yearling draft.
With the win of Pit Lane on Sunday, it was Saturday racing at Kembla Grange in New South Wales started the ball rolling for Van Nistelrooy when Dooley Jones (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy) placed second in the Oasis Australia 2YO Maiden over 1400m.
Stepping out for the second time from the Noel Mayfield-Smith stable, the colt finished on strongly from the rear of the eleven horse field, running to within a neck of racewinner Aninsperation (Aus) (Anabaa). Purchased from Trelawney Stud’s 2006 Premier Draft for $75,000, Dooley Jones is owned by Jim Simpson, the same man that owns Van Nistelrooy’s first southern hemisphere winner, Vanny Fair (NZ).
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| Van Nistelrooy to Take a Rest |
10 May 2007 |
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It has been announced by Trelawney Stud that the young Storm Cat-stallion Van Nistelrooy (USA) will not be returning to New Zealand for the 2007 breeding season.
“We still have enormous faith in the horse,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud, “however, we and our partners thought that for this season, we will take the opportunity to sit back and see how his progeny perform over the next twelve months,” he said. “We have obviously been in consultation with Coolmore and they were happy to support this decision and we have every opportunity to bring Van Nistelrooy back to New Zealand in the future,” said Brent.
Van Nistelrooy was brought to New Zealand by a partnership including Chequers Stud, Curraghmore Stud, Fairdale Stud, Haunui Farm, Pencarrow Stud and of course Trelawney. As a result, he covered some of the best mares in the New Zealand studbook throughout his four seasons at stud including Melbourne and Caulfield Cups-winner Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm), La Suffragette (NZ) (Palace Music), the dam of Railings (Aus) (Zabeel), Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express) – the dam of Activation – multiple Group One-winner Fayreform (NZ) (Tights), Group Two-winner Gordon’s (NZ) (Kaapstad), Jazzmatazz (NZ) (Citidancer) – the dam of Jazzella – Midnight Babe (NZ) (Kaapstad) – the dam of Perlin – to name but a few.
“His first crop of yearlings sold very well at the sales last year and as a result, have ended up in some of the best stables in New Zealand and Australia,” said Brent. From this crop, Van Nistelrooy has already produced a winner and three place-getters in New Zealand from eight starters whilst he has also had placegetters in Australia and Singapore.
“He has had a total of fourteen starters from his first crop in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Singapore,” said Brent, “and he has had a good number of trials performers of late,” he said. “The feedback from trainers has been very positive all along,” said Brent. “They are strong, athletic horses, that move well, have great temperaments and I’m sure we will see them doing the job over the next twelve months and with that being the case, we expect to be bringing him back next season” said Brent.
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| Van Nistelrooy Colt the Talk of Tattersalls |
12 Oct 2006 |
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The sole yearling by Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) entered in the Tattersalls October yearling sale fetched a price of 90,000 guineas yesterday. The equivalent of just over NZ$265,000, the colt was purchased by John Warren.
“I purchased the colt in the USA last year as a weanling and brought him over here to sell at this sale,” said Cathy Grassick, niece of Coolmore Ireland’s Manager Christie Grassick and perhaps privy to some inside information when it comes to this young stallion. “There was a lot of talk about him around the sale ground as he is very much like his sire Van Nistelrooy to look at,” she said. “As a type he impressed and I couldn’t be happier with the result,” said Cathy.
VAN NISTELROOY
The colt’s dam, Miss Valedictorian (USA) (With Approval) was a six-time winner in the USA and was placed on a further 12 occasions. She is a half sister to six other winners including the stakes performer Brightwood (USA) (Dynaformer) and slightly further back in the pedigree you see the likes of VRC Derby-winner Helenus (Aus) (Helissio) and stakes winner Atomic Flash (Aus) (Geiger Counter).
A Group Two-winner and Group One-placed at two, Van Nistelrooy is currently serving his fourth season at Trelawney Stud in New Zealand. His first crop of yearlings in the southern hemisphere made an impact in the sales ring with a half dozen six-figure colts at Karaka and all horses sold at auction in Australia selling for over A$135,000 with a top price of A$220,000.
Of his first southern hemisphere crop which are now two-year-olds, Van Nistelrooy has already had a trials winner in the form of Bella Renza (NZ). “Van Nistelrooy has been represented at most of the major yearling sales around the world now,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “At each one, he has had a number of stand outs but more importantly, it has been pleasing to see the people that have actually signed for the lots,” he said. “He’s taken the next step with having a trials winner, the reports we are receiving from trainers are very positive and it is just a matter of time before we start seeing the desired results on the track,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy stands for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST.
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| Van Nistelrooy colt tops Keeneland on Sunday |
27 Sep 2006 |
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 The second to last session at Keeneland on Sunday saw a son of Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) heading the final day’s figures as the top priced lot. Consigned by Upson Downs Farm as agent, the colt sold for US$75,000 to the bid of Sam Semkin acting as agent for Jon Kelly.
Out of the unraced mare Meadowfold (USA) (Meadowlake), the colt’s second dam is the multiple stakes winner Twofold (USA) (Timeless Moment) whose progeny include, Mandarin Star (USA) (Personal Hope) – a stakes winner in Japan - and the Gr. 3 place getter O’Star (USA) (Risen Star). Twofold is herself a half sister to multiple Gr 2 winner Miss Musket (USA) (Gunflint) and stakes winner Arctic Action (USA) (Icecapade).
Earlier in the week, the first Van Nistelrooy offered fetched US$90,000 to the bid of Gold Mark Farm. A grey filly consigned by Summerfield, she was out of a daughter of Unbridled’s Song (USA) (Unbridled) in Song of Royalty (USA) and is a half sister to two-year-old winner Silver Fox (USA) (Kelly Kip).
Other sale highlights for the son of Storm Cat included a colt sold by Paramount Sales for US$62,000 and a filly out of the stakes placed Irish River-mare Sheer Quality (USA) that sold for US$50,000.
“Van Nistelrooy’s yearlings sold well at the Fasig Tipton Sale earlier in the year and it is pleasing to see that his progeny are also attracting attention at Keeneland,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “His first crop of yearlings sold very well in both New Zealand and Australia and we are constantly receiving good reports from trainers in regard to their temperaments, the way they have adapted to the training environment and more importantly the ability that they have shown to date,” said Brent. “The next step is to turn these reports into positive results on the track and all going well, these won’t be too far away,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy stands at Trelawney Stud for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST this season.
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| Bruce Wallace Enthusiastic about Progeny of Van Nistelrooy |
10 Sep 2006 |
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Bruce Wallace has four two-year-olds in his stable by Group Two-winning two-year-old Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) with an even split of colts and fillies. As the trainer of one of last season’s leading two-year-olds in Royal Pericles (NZ) (Stravinksy), he has already formed a high opinion of the Van Nistelrooy’s.
“They all have great temperaments and handle the stable environment well. I’m extremely impressed with them,” said Bruce. “As yearlings, I obviously liked them as types to have purchased four – they remind me a bit of the Stravinsky’s actually. I expect my lot to be ready to start trialing at the beginning of October and I would be disappointed if they don’t make serious racehorses,” he said.
“The two colts that I have aren’t owned in New Zealand so I’m not sure if they will race here or not but the two fillies I have will be racing here and I certainly don’t mind that. The filly out of Tristaad has particularly impressed me, she wasn’t a big filly when I purchased her at the sales and she was one of the last to be broken in but, she has certainly grown into a very nice style of filly and she’s not small anymore!” he said.
“I certainly wouldn’t hesitate purchasing more horses by Van Nistelrooy this year,” said Bruce.
Van Nistelrooy will have his first starter in the first two-year-old race of the season at Wanganui tomorrow. Trained by the successful Rogerson-Autridge combination, the filly, named Bella Renza, came up trumps two weeks ago at the Taupo trials and it is hoped she can get Van Nistelrooy off to a great start.
“People tend to think that to get two-year-olds ready for these early races, you really have to wind them up,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “What is pleasing to hear about the progeny of Van Nistelrooy is that, the ones that have shown a natural tendency to be early types, have just done it all themselves and have come to the fore without a lot of pressure,” he said.
“What happens tomorrow who knows? But, to have one of his progeny lining up is certainly very pleasing for Trelawney and our partners in the horse and from the reports we are getting, we are looking forward to seeing more Van Nistelrooy’s stepping out over the next couple of months,” he said.
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| Trials Winner for Van Nistelrooy |
22 Aug 2006 |
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 Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) is among the first season sires to have two-year-olds hitting the track this season and he couldn’t have got off to a better start with his first trialist coming up trumps at Taupo earlier today.
Trained by the dynamic duo of Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge, a Van Nistelrooy filly, named Bella Renza, claimed the second of the 750m two-year-old heats winning well within herself according to co-trainer Stephen Autridge.
“She did everything perfectly and Opie Bosson was very impressed with her,” said Stephen Autridge after the trial. “Throughout her whole preparation she has done everything right and today she went out there like she had done it all before so we have any number of options open to us,” he said.
Bella Renza’s connections to the Rogerson stable run deep with long time Office Manager Denise Howell the owner of the filly after purchasing her privately as a weanling. “We arranged the purchase of the filly for Denise,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Its early days but its great to see she has done everything right so far and with the types that Van Nistelrooy has left, we’re hoping to see more of his two-year-olds hitting the tracks in the months ahead,” said Brent.
Another Van Nistelrooy filly from the Rogerson/Autridge stable who will be stepping out to the trials in the not too distant future has already been named Shooting Star. Purchased at the Karaka Premier Sale for $95,000 from the draft of Wellfield Lodge, Autridge has already established a high opinion of the filly.
“She has been well liked since the day we bought her and she is as nice a filly as Bella Renza,” said Stephen. “She is about three weeks behind Bella Renza in her preparation,” he said.
The phrase “Opportunity is Everything” has been used by Trelawney Stud to promote Van Nistelrooy this season and Brent Taylor is confident these words will ring true in the very near future.
“After a great start in the sales ring, Van Nistelrooy has now had his first trials winner which is another step in the right direction and we are confident that the combination of the mares he has covered, the buyers who have purchased his first crop, and the stables that these horses are now in, will all come together to produce the results where it counts most – on the racetrack,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy stands at Trelawney Stud in 2006 for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST. For more information please contact Brent Taylor 021 949 644 or Shannon Taylor 0212 855 513. He will be paraded at Haunui Farm on Sunday 27th August at 4pm and will also be paraded at his home base, Trelawney Stud on Sunday 3rd September as part of the Waikato Stallion Tour at 11.45am.
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| Lee Freedman to Train Ethereal Filly |
14 Aug 2006 |
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 One of Australia’s most successful thoroughbred trainers has been selected to carve out the racing career of a filly who will have every expectation placed upon her. Lee Freedman has been assigned the task of preparing the two-year-old filly by Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) out of Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-winner Ethereal (NZ) Rhythm) who will race in the colours of her dam.
Owned by Peter and Philip Vela’s Pencarrow Stud, this filly is yet to be named but has some mighty big shoes to fill. “The Ethereal filly has been one of the biggest improvers of our two-year-olds,” said Leon Casey, Manager of Pencarrow Stud. “She has been broken in and has been back in pre-training for her second preparation,” he said. “She’ll be sent across to Australia when we think she is ready,” said Leon.
Van Nistelrooy - Ethereal filly
Pencarrow Stud has a long history of producing outstanding racehorses with the likes of Romanee Conti, Riverina Charm, Grand Echezeaux, Sarwatch and of course Ethereal to name but a few to carry the blue and white hooped colours of Peter and Philip Vela to victory.
Established as a boutique breeding operation with some of Australasia’s leading families represented among the mares grazing in the paddocks, Pencarrow has a large investment in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry, not only through their mares and racing stock, but also stallions.
One of six New Zealand stud farms to secure the services of Van Nistelrooy upon his retirement from racing, Pencarrow has sent a number of their best mares to the young sire over the last three years, Ethereal obviously one of them.
Three other Van Nistelrooy fillies from his first crop have been retained for racing by the Vela’s and their trainers have also been selected. A filly out of Georgiana (NZ) (Nassipour), a half sister to multiple Group One-winner Star Dancer will also head across the Tasman to be trained by none other than David Hayes while the other two fillies will remain in New Zealand.
The filly out of Latino L’amour (Ire) (Diesis), from the family of Danehill Dancer, will join the Richard Yuill stable while Mark Todd will train the daughter of Group Three-winner Cheerful (NZ) (Star Way).
“Peter generally comes up with a list of trainers for each horse and then we work through it depending on the individual horse as some of them are better suited to certain environments than others,” said Leon.
Mares penciled in to visit Van Nistelrooy this season from the Pencarrow broodmare band include Pavan (NZ) (Centaine) who was placed second in both the New Zealand and Australasian Oaks, Sadler’s Wells-mare Kwan (Ire), Concert Party (Aus) (Thunder Gulch), a half sister to stakes placed two-year-old Empire’s Choice (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice) and Fern (GB) (Shirley Heights).
Van Nistelrooy stands at Trelawney Stud for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST.
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| Van Nistelrooy Yearlings Sell in Kentucky |
31 Jul 2006 |
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 July signaled the start to the major yearling sales season in the USA with the Fasig Tipton July Select Yearling Sale held in Kentucky on the 17th and 18th of July.
With a catalogue of more than 400 yearlings, there were a number of first season sires represented, one of these being Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) who returns to Trelawney Stud in 2006 for his fourth southern hemisphere season.
As in New Zealand, Van Nistelrooy has been well received by Kentucky breeders and in his debut season at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in the USA, covered a large book of mares including 34 stakes class or stakes producing mares by the likes of Danzig, Alydar, Be My Guest, Red Ransom and Crafty Prospector.
Four colts and a filly from this resultant crop were sold through the ring at Fasig Tipton two weeks ago attaining an average of US$72,000 (NZ$$115,000). A top price of US$125,000 (NZ$200,000) was paid by Sabine Stable for a Van Nistelrooy colt out of the stakes placed mare Craftimae (USA) (Crafty Prospector) whilst a filly out of Parish Business (USA) (Phone Trick) consigned by Eaton Sales was knocked down for US$75,000 (NZ$120,000). Already named Ease and Comfort (USA), she is from the family of 13-time winner and multiple stakes winner Mr Sinatra (USA) (Mining).
“Van Nistelrooy has made an impact in the yearling sales ring in both hemispheres,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “In the southern hemisphere we had some of the best judges in Australasia putting their hands up for his progeny – buyers such as Kieran Moore, John Hawkes, Paul Moroney and Ginger Tankard – and certainly in the north it is good to see some big owners such as Sabine Stable purchasing his progeny,” he said. “With the Keeneland Sale coming up in September, there is definitely a lot more to come,” said Brent.
Van Nistelrooy began stud duty in New Zealand in 2003 covering some of the best broodmares in the country including Caulfield and Melbourne Cup-winner Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm). This resultant crop entered Australasian yearling sales rings for the first time in 2006 with a top price of A$220,000 paid by Paul Moroney at the Sydney Easter Sale for a colt out of Group One winner and Champion Sprinter/Miler Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express).
Van Nistelrooy’s New Zealand yearling sales results netted him an average of just under $75,000 at the Premier Sale, headed by a colt from the Pencarrow draft out of Sadler’s Wells mare Dance My Dance (Ire) who fetched NZ$160,000 to the bid of David Ellis. The select sale saw Van Nistelrooy head the first season sires list with an average of just over $45,000 whilst at the Sydney Easter Sale, he averaged over A$186, 000 placing him fourth on the first season sires list there.
“We have been keeping tabs on some of Van Nistelrooy’s rising two-year-olds and the more we talk to people, the more we are looking forward to his first progeny hitting the track,” said Brent. “A major factor coming through is their temperaments with breakers and trainers commenting how well the Van Nistelrooy’s have handled everything and how they have taken to the stable environment – that’s a great asset to start out with,” he said. “He has left some precocious types so we are certainly looking forward to the new season with confidence and I’m sure we will see some early runners by the horse,” said Brent.
Van Nistelrooy arrived in New Zealand earlier this week and is currently in quarantine in preparation for his fourth southern hemisphere season. He stands at Trelawney Stud for a fee of $10,000 + GST.
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| High Hopes for Van Nistelrooy Colts |
24 Jul 2006 |
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 Ron and Judi Wanless have had some outstanding success on the racetrack over the last eight or so years.
Based in Queensland, they have built up their racing team now having between 25 and 30 horses in work at a time with a number of Australia’s leading trainers including Peter Moody, Gai Waterhouse, John Hawkes and Gerald Ryan.
“I like to spread my horses between selected trainers and we have had a great deal of success and enjoyment over the years,” said Ron. Horses like VRC Derby-winner Amalfi (NZ) (Carnegie), Queensland Guineas-winner Regent Street (NZ) (Carnegie), Lightning Stakes-winner Golden
Van Nistelrooy - Debora colt
Snitch (Aus) (Unbridled’s Song), Tasmanian Derby-winner Moonah Brooke (NZ) (Kingdom Bay), Inglis Classic-winner Absolutelyfabulous (Aus) (Langfuhr) and multiple stakes-winner and performer Bridal Hill (Aus) (Unbridled’s Song) have all been raced in the ownership of the Wanless’, and with the continued purchase of young stock, there is sure to be more success in the years ahead.
“We have 18 rising two-year-olds, some we have bred but a majority have been purchased from yearling sales throughout Australasia,” said Ron. It was through the yearling sales ring that Ron purchased four yearlings by Trelawney Stud’s exciting young sire Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat).
At Karaka 2006, Ron took a liking to the progeny of Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) purchasing four colts at the select sale through bloodstock agent Kieran Moore including a $120,000 colt out of the Sir Tristram mare Debora (NZ). “I have great hopes for them” says Ron of his Van Nistelrooy’s. “I obviously liked them as types – they are strong and athletic,” he said.
One thing these four colts (along with Ron’s other purchases of 2006) won’t lack is opportunity. “I like to put my horses into leading stables and Peter Moody, Gerald Ryan, John Hawkes and Alan Bailey will all get one of these colts,” said Ron.
“They have all been broken in and pre-trained and we bought types that will go reasonably early all going well,” said Ron. “What has really come through is the fantastic temperaments that they all have,” he said.
Apart from a large racing team, the Wanless’ have started the development of a small but select band of broodmares. Judi Wanless, an ex-pat Kiwi and supporter of all things New Zealand shares her husband’s liking of Van Nistelrooy having sent a mare to him in each of his three seasons at stud so far.
“I think Van Nistelrooy will be a sensational sire and I’d be very disappointed if of the four I have purchased, one doesn’t turn out to be a very, very good horse,” said Ron. “In the last eight years only two horses that I’ve purchased haven’t won – one had a heart attack and the other got navicular disease after being placed so that’s not a bad record,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy is set to return to Trelawney Stud in August to commence his fourth Southern Hemisphere season. “His yearling sales results were very pleasing and the reports from breakers and trainers is giving us a lot of confidence,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Van Nistelrooy’s first crop of Northern Hemisphere yearlings head to the Keeneland Sale in September so that will be another milestone in his career as a sire but what we’re looking forward to most is the new season and the prospects of some of his first crop two-year-olds down here,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy will stand at Trelawney in 2006 for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST.
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| Van Nistelrooy Attracts Big Buyers |
22 Jun 2006 |
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 We all know the hype and expectation that has surrounded the Easter Yearling Sale for the last number of years and 2006 was no different dominated by the big guns who admittedly achieved success to levels that were possibly once thought unattainable. With 12 horses exceeding the million dollar mark, it makes you wonder to what level the market will continue to sustain such heights – long may it continue.
First season sires are always a hot topic when the sales series’ come about and when you look at the results of Easter, the expected stars are at the top of the list with the might and power of Australasia’s biggest studs behind them. If you were to look at the top five, four of them were definitely predictable, the list headed by Elusive Quality (USA) (Gone West), Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) (Danehill) and Hussonet (USA) (Mr Prospector) respectively. For many, the fourth name on the list would have been somewhat of a surprise.
Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) cemented his position at number four finishing ahead of the likes of Choisir (AUS) (Danehill Dancer) and Johannesburg (USA) (Hennessey) with a sale average of $186,667.
A Group Two winner at two and also Group One placed in the same season, Van Nistelrooy was a US$6.4 million yearling and 2006 saw the emergence of his first southern hemisphere crop in the sales ring. He began his stud career at New Zealand’s Trelawney Stud in 2003 at a service fee of $15,000 + GST.
Van Nistelrooy’s Easter Sale average was anything but average, with a top price of $220,000 paid by New Zealand agent Paul Moroney for a colt out of the outstanding race mare Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express). A surprise package was definitely the Van Nistelrooy colt out of Pan For Glitter (USA) (Crafty Prospector) who fetched $180,000 to the bid of John Hawkes while Kris Lees purchased the first foal out of multiple Group-winner Gordon’s (NZ) (Kaapstad) for $160,000.
“Van Nistelrooy is brought to New Zealand by a partnership including ourselves, Chequers Stud, Curraghmore Stud, Fairdale Stud, Haunui Farm and Pencarrow Stud,” said Brent Taylor, Managing Director of Trelawney. “Because of this, he has covered some of the best mares that New Zealand has to offer,” he said. “His sales results in New Zealand were very pleasing with half a dozen six-figure yearlings and he was the leading first season sire in the Select Sale,” said Brent. “We wanted to sell some of his progeny in Australia and he had one yearling sell at the Gold Coast for $135,000 and then we along with Haunui Farm, brought a few across to Easter as well and the results have really paid off,” said Brent. “The follow up from that is that people have obviously taken note of the type of horse that Van Nistelrooy is leaving and his sales results have also generated a certain amount of interest which is a real positive,” he said.
One Australian who took an obvious liking to the progeny of Van Nistelrooy is leading bloodstock agent Kieran Moore who signed on the dotted line for four yearlings by the young son of Storm Cat (USA) (Storm Bird) at Karaka. “As types, they all had good bone, were well grown and were very good moving horses,” said Kieran. “Hopefully we have picked the right ones as he will definitely leave runners,” he said.
Another prominent Australian-based purchaser of Van Nistelrooy progeny was Steve Brem, former Racing Manager for the Gai Waterhouse stable who was, during his time there, an integral part of the yearling selection team. It has been previously stated that at Karaka, the Van Nistelrooy’s came out on top of his ratings, a stamp of approval that should be noted.
“It is obviously very important for New Zealand studs to get progeny by their stallions into some of the best stables in Australia,” said Brent. “And it’s even better when you see some of the best judges putting their hands up and securing a number of lots,” he said. With progeny set to hit the stables of John Hawkes, Gai Waterhouse, Peter Moody, Kris Lees and Joseph Pride, Van Nistelrooy’s two-year-olds will be footing it with the best.
“For a stallion to be successful in the sales arena, you definitely need success in Australia as at the end of the day, it’s our largest export market and as much as we probably hate to admit it, for a sire’s progeny to be highly sought after in our sales ring, performance in Australia is a key requirement,” said Brent.
It was announced early in June that Van Nistelrooy will be returning to New Zealand for a fourth season and like every other stallion with rising two-year-olds, he is at the crossroads. “Every stallion goes through this phase and it is the most difficult,” says Brent. “Everybody wants to see some early results and we are lucky with Van Nistelrooy in the fact that the types he has left will ensure some early runners,” he said.
“We have worked hard to secure Van Nistelrooy for the current season and we and our partners have shown a lot of faith in the horse and will continue to support him with some of our best mares,” said Brent.
Out of the Halo mare Halory, Van Nistelrooy is a half brother to four stakes winners and two stakes performers including Brushed Halory (USA) (Broad Brush) whose two-year-old colt by Storm Cat fetched US$2.2 million at the Fasig Tipton Juvenile Auction earlier this year – the colt is now part of Sheik Mohammed’s racing team. Van Nistelrooy was the winner of three of his six starts at two and placed on a further two occasions including the Group One National Stakes and the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes.
Van Nistelrooy stands at Trelawney in 2006 for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST and if his sales results are anything to go by, and he can achieve some early success on the racetrack, he could well be one of the best value sires of the 2006 breeding season.
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| Van Nistelrooy Returning to NZ |
30 May 2006 |
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 Trelawney Stud and our partners in Van Nistelrooy (USA) Chequers Stud, Curraghmore Stud, Fairdale Stud, Haunui Farm, and Pencarrow Stud, are delighted to announce that the son of Storm Cat (USA) (Storm Bird) will be returning to New Zealand in 2006 for his fourth southern hemisphere season.
A Group Two winner at two and also Group One placed in the same season, Van Nistelrooy was a US$6.4 million yearling and 2006 saw the emergence of his first southern hemisphere crop in the sales ring. With a sale average of just over $74,000 at the Karaka Premier sale, Van Nistelrooy had six yearlings surpass the $100,000 mark throughout the entire sales series and was in fact the leading first season sire at the increasingly strong Select Sale where his average was just over $45,000.
Australian bloodstock agent Kieran Moore led the charge for Van Nistelrooy yearlings in New Zealand purchasing four including a $120,000 colt out of Debora (NZ) (Sir Tristram). All four of these horses were purchased for Ron Wanless who engages the best trainers in Australia to take care of his racing interests. Steve Brem, former racing manager for Gai Waterhouse, was another to pay six figures for a Van Nistelrooy yearling – a filly out of Talaga who has been broken in and sent to Australia to join the stable of Joseph Pride. “Shopping for a filly at Karaka I became impressed with the quality of the Van Nistelrooy’s, they came out at the top of my ratings” said Steve Brem. “I was over the moon to purchase the Talaga filly who has since broken in brilliantly and I was also the under bidder on the colt out of Coogee Walk at the Easter Sale. They look like real athletes,” he said.
Five yearlings by Van Nistelrooy were also offered at sales across the Tasman firstly at the Magic Millions Sale in January and then, the record breaking William Inglis and Son Easter Yearling Sale, all of which were knocked down for more than $135,000. In total, Van Nistelrooy’s Australian sold yearlings averaged just under $175,000, with a top price of $220,000 paid by Paul Moroney whose buying record to date shows the purchase of 19 individual G1 winners.
Out of the outstanding race mare Coogee Walk (NZ) (Success Express), this colt is a representative of the fine book of mares Van Nistelrooy served in his first season, and subsequent season’s at stud, including the likes of Ethereal, La Suffragette (dam of dual G1 winner Railings), multiple Group winner Gordon’s, and Midnight Madam (the dam of Perlin) among others.
In total, 53 yearlings by Van Nistelrooy were sold through the yearling sales ring in 2005 with at least 16 of these purchased directly for Australia. “It is pleasing for us to see a number of his progeny heading to our major export market of Australia which is very important,” said Brent. With progeny in the stables of trainers such as John Hawkes, Gai Waterhouse, Kris Lees, Joseph Pride, Mike Moroney, Peter Moody, Mark Walker, Trevor McKee, Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge, Van Nistelrooy will have every opportunity to get some early runners from his first crop.
“We were obviously very pleased with the way the market received the Van Nistelrooy yearlings throughout the major sales this year,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud. “Trelawney, along with our partners have shown great faith in the horse by sending some of our best mares to him and we have worked very hard to ensure that he would return to New Zealand in 2006,” he said.
“Not only were we buoyed by his success in the sales ring and the people who purchased his yearlings, but we were also well aware of the recent success of the Storm Cat sire line in New Zealand through Black Minnaloushe and his dual Group One-winner Jokers Wild,” said Brent. “With the type of horse that Van Nistelrooy has left, and the early reports from breakers, we are looking forward to turning the talk into results in the coming season,” he said.
Out of the Halo mare Halory, Van Nistelrooy is a half brother to four stakes winners and two stakes performers including Brushed Halory (USA) (Broad Brush) whose two-year-old colt by Storm Cat fetched US$2.2 million at the Fasig Tipton Juvenile Auction earlier this year – the colt is now part of Sheik Mohammed’s racing team. Van Nistelrooy was the winner of three of his six starts at two and placed on a further two occasions including the Group One National Stakes and the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes.
As well as standing at Trelawney in the southern hemisphere, Van Nistelrooy is currently serving his third season at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. “The quality of Van Nistelrooy’s southern hemisphere yearlings is very good and we are happy to support New Zealand breeders and encourage them to use him in the coming season,” said Michael Kirwan, General Manager of Coolmore Australia. “His northern hemisphere progeny are of the same quality so we are looking forward to a big future for Van Nistelrooy in both hemispheres,” he said.
Van Nistelrooy will stand the 2006 season at Trelawney Stud for a fee of NZ$10,000 + GST with live goal guarantee. For further information, please contact Brent Taylor (+64 21 949 644) or Shannon Taylor (+64 212 855 513).
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