January 2YO winner opens Dundeel's account

It was Murray Baker who sent a 2YO son of High Chaparral to the races for the first time on 9 April 2012. That was Dundeel and his swooping win at Ellerslie that day was the start of a superlative career featuring six Group 1 victories. 

Today the champion New Zealand trainer, now working in partnership with Andrew Forsman, sent out his son Cutadeel at Tauranga for a group including owner-breeders Mike & Sharyn Craig who raced Dundeel and retain an interest in him. The result was a stylish victory for the colt, who is the first foal of Dineeta (by Dylan Thomas).

Watch Cutadeel win over 1200m at Tauranga.

“There was plenty in his trials to encourage us,” said Forsman. “I’m not sure he’s a natural two-year-old type, but he is a really nice horse.”

Dundeel’s first crop juveniles are being handled patiently but several have trialled, among them trial winners Marbuzet, unplaced behind Cutadeel at his raceday debut, and Sunreel, set to start at Wyong on Sunday for for Kris Lees. 

The progress of Dundeel’s first 2YOs can be judged by the response to his second-crop yearlings at Magic Millions last week. All but one of his eight lots sold, averaging more than 6 times his fee, with a top price of $280,000 achieved for Arrowfield’s colt ex Opportunity. He was purchased by DGR Thoroughbreds & Chris Anderson Racing.

Dundeel has 13 lots catalogued for next month’s Inglis Classic Sale, including three fillies and two colts in Arrowfield’s consignment.  The Stud will also offer 10 of the dozen yearlings by Dundeel at the Inglis Easter Sale in April.