Weekend Stakes Treble Highlights Choisir
30th September 2008
Champion sprinter Choisir has really hit the heights in his stud career this spring demonstrated clearly on the weekend with a stakes double at Randwick posted by Dreamscape (3c Choisir x Faith in Dreams, by Ferdinand) and Sara’s Choice (3f Choisir x Momentous Ride, by Puissance) followed by a slick stakes win in England for three year-old filly Meydan Princess, so it’s not surprising one of Australia’s leading breeders is keen to sing his praises.“We really think Choisir is the best value stallion around,” said Andrew Baddock of Gooree Stud, owners and breeders of exciting colt Dreamscape (pictured), winner of the Group Two AJC Stan Fox Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.
“We haven’t had a Choisir that can’t run. In a year or two I wouldn’t be surprised if he was double his quote, he has too many good horses around.
“I remember when we sent Faith In Dreams to Choisir to try and get some spark there. She is a very well bred mare but she hadn’t thrown anything and she had been to all the best stallions.
“We thought some good colonial speed would help and it has, you wouldn’t find a nicer horse than Dreamscape. He isn’t as heavy as Choisir, he’s got scope, he’s a beautiful horse.”
Bound for Melbourne for a tilt at the Group One MRC Caulfield Guineas on October 11, Dreamscape is one of many success stories for Mr Eduardo Cojuangco’s Gooree Stud, which has produced countless winners over the years by utilizing Coolmore based sires over their top quality band of broodmares.
Among the many notables are: multiple Group One winner Desert War (Desert King), dual Group One winner Tempest Morn (Thunder Gulch (USA), Group Two winner Beautiful Gem (Peintre Celebre (USA), Group Two winner Basra (Desert King (IRE), Group Three winner Gamble Me (Rock of Gibraltar (IRE), Group Three winner Pasikatera (Thunder Gulch (USA), Group Three winner Clonmel (Thunder Gulch (USA), stakes-winner Magsaya (Danehill Dancer (IRE), etc.
It’s a glowing testament to what has been a long and fruitful association between Gooree and Coolmore that looks set to continue with a raft of new up and comers.
“This is the best start to a season we have had in a long time,” said Baddock.
“Ninety-five percent of the top horses we have are by Coolmore stallions and include Dreamscape who is by Choisir, Northern Meteor who is by Encosta de Lago (he is trialling Friday) and Strategic Maneuver (Royal Academy), who is heading towards the Group One Coolmore Stud (Ascot Vale) Stakes in Melbourne.”
Also seeking Black Type for Gooree this spring are Encosta de Lago three year-old Fight and Defend (Group One AJC Spring Champion Stakes), Danehill Dancer (IRE) mare Raqas (Listed AJC Angst Quality) and proven stakes class sprinter Gamble Me (Rock of Gibraltar (IRE), being set for the Group Two VRC Salinger Stakes, while improving Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) five year-old Ashikaga is likely to have a break following an arduous first campaign which has netted four wins from six starts and more than $140,000 in prizemoney.
Footnote: Trained by John Gosden, Choisir filly Meydan Princess (3f Choisir x Miss Assertive, by Zafonic) overcame a tardy start to settle midfield before charging away to win the seven furlong Listed October stakes at Ascot by three lengths.
A daughter of the Zafonic mare Miss Assertive, Meydan Princess became the 11th stakes-winner worldwide for Choisir, who has had three Australian stakes-winners since the start of the season with Dreamscape and Sara’s Choice joining top class sprinting mare Hurried Choice, winner of the Group Two STC Theo Marks.
