Brother for Racing To Win

7th October 2007

Coolmore Stud were delighted with the arrival of a full brother to champion miler Racing to Win on September 28, the latest foal produced by Magic Millions record priced mare Surrealist, secured by Coolmore at the National Sale on the Gold Coast in 2006 for $1.6 million.

The grey daughter of Group One winner Kenny’s Best Pal became a hot property when her second foal Racing to Win hit the scene in 2006 winning a string of races culminating in Group One victories in the STC George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap followed by further Group One wins in the AJC George Main Stakes and Epsom Handicap.

Racing to Win has the imposing record of nine wins and four placings from 14 starts with prizemoney of $2.8 million, but sadly for connections he has been off the scene since last year’s Cox Plate in which he turned in the worst run of his career.

After 10 months on the sidelines through injury, John O’Shea had Racing to Win primed and ready to go again this spring, but then came the EI.

“Racing to Win will be going out to the paddock on Monday for a short break and we’ll get him back on December 1 to be prepared for the Doncaster,” said John O’Shea.

“He never caught the EI as he was vaccinated to go to Hong Kong at one point for the Champions Mile. To have one the best horses in the country that is fit and healthy, but unable to compete anywhere is frustrating to say the least.”

After being purchased by Coolmore, Surrealist produced a colt by Fastnet Rock last spring and was then sent to Racing to Win’s sire Encosta de Lago with this appealing bay colt the result.

Surrealist has been a remarkably consistent matron at stud producing seven consecutive foals in seven seasons, her current three year-old Purrealist (3c Tale of the Cat - Surrealist, by Kenny's Best Pal) adding further to family fortunes by winning the Group Three MRC Guineas Prelude at Caulfield this spring before sadly going amiss with a suspensory problem.

Not surprisingly, Surrealist will be covered again in the next few weeks by leading sire Encosta de Lago, who is currently the leading sire by combined earnings for Australia and New Zealand.