Dolmabache boosts evidence for Group 1 cross
Dolmabache is one of the most beautifully bred mares racing in New Zealand, and also one of the bravest, as she demonstrated in yesterday’s $200,000 Waikato RC International S. 2000m G1.
The 5YO daughter of Redoute’s Choice and Our Echezeaux (by Zabeel) won the 2012 Travis S. G2 over the same course and distance, so was well-placed in the race by her owner-breeders Peter & Philip Vela and trainers Steven Ramsey & Julia Ritchie.
Pictured: Dolmabache is bred on the same Redoute’s Choice-Zabeel cross as the magnificent filly Samantha Miss, seen here winning the 2008 VRC Oaks G1. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
Jockey Leith Innes settled Dolmabache behind the early leaders on a muddling pace and followed Sangster forward in the middle of the race. The mare kept up a strong gallop to lead the field briefly in the straight before Sangster burst clear for an impressive 2.8-length victory. Dolmabache stuck on well behind him to hold out a fast-finishing group of runners headed by Asavant.
Dolmabache, named for a 19th century palace in Turkey, is from a stellar family that has enhanced both its own and Redoute’s Choice’s records this season. She and her 3YO sister, the Group 3-winning filly Pure Elegance are closely related to Champion NZ 2YO & 3YO, and now leading young sire Darci Brahma (by Danehill), and Group 3 winner Burgundy (by Redoute’s Choice), third in last month’s WRC Telegraph H. G1. The family’s most famous member is the champion stayer Ethereal, winner of the 2001 Melbourne & Caulfield Cups.
Dolmabache joins Burgundy, 3YO colts Albrecht & Rawnaq (also from a Zabeel mare) and Hong Kong miler Packing Ok as new Group 1 performers by Redoute’s Choice this season.
Burgundy, Dolmabache, Pure Elegance & stakeswinner Papilio are all the results of Pencarrow Stud’s pursuit of the Redoute’s Choice/Zabeel cross. It’s a combination that has now produced 14 (21%) stakes performers from 67 named foals. Remarkably, 7 of them are Group 1 performers, most notably the multiple Group 1 winner Samantha Miss.
Bellerive Stud will offer a Redoute’s Choice colt from the Zabeel mare Quibble at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. Three Redoute’s Choice yearlings from Zabeel mares are included in the Inglis Australian Easter Sale catalogue: a colt in the Broadwater Thoroughbreds draft, and a filly and a colt in the draft of Willow Park, which sold Samantha Miss in 2009.
