Sixth Stakes-Winner for Van Nistelrooy

20th October 2007

Exciting young Storm Cat stallion Van Nistelrooy has been making a keen impression all over the world and added his first Australian stakes-winner to his resume at Caulfield on Saturday when Vandalo (3g Van Nistelrooy - Riverly Lass , by Gleam Machine) took out the Listed MRC Winning Edge Presentation Cup.

A striking chestnut gelding, very much in the mould of his handsome sire, the Shannon Hope trained Vandalo produced a strong finishing burst to claim the 1400 metre event by a neck.

“He’s a progressive horse who is working through his grades and learning all the time,” said winning jockey Black Shinn.

“He was really strong to the line today and just too good.”

Vandalo has won two races and placed twice from six starts earning $72,200 for his large and enthusiastic group of owners.

In scoring his first Black Type success, Vandalo became the sixth stakes-winner worldwide for Coolmore based Van Nistelrooy.

Currently the second leading first crop sire in North America this year, Van Vistelrooy shuttled to New Zealand for a number of seasons, brought to the Southern Hemisphere by a partnership of breeders including Chequers Stud, Curraghmore Stud, Fairdale Stud, Haunui Farm, Pencarrow and Trelawney Studs.

Vandalo was purchased by Lee Hope for $115,000 from the Chequers Stud draft at the 2006 NZB Ready to Run Sale for $115,000.

The eleventh living foal of outstanding producer Riverly Lass, Vandalo is a half-brother to Group One winner Zirna, stakes-winner Amazing Me, Group Two placed State Commands and stakes-placed Ruby Turner.