A Legacy of Success
From Dr Grace, Nothin' Leica Dane & Zabeel to Miss Finland, Estijaab & The Autumn Sun, Arrowfield has much success to celebrate - and much to look forward to.
As Arrowfield celebrates almost four decades of producing Australia’s turf legends, and looks forward to presenting the next generation at Inglis Easter 2023, human legends from inside and outside the business share their memories of favourite Arrowfield graduates:
Angus Gold, Shadwell Racing Manager for more than 30 years
“We have been lucky to buy four or five Group One winners over the years from Arrowfield including Reaan (Hussonet-Ribe), who won the Blue Diamond and the full brothers Mustaaqeem and Rafeef (Redoute’s Choice-National Colour) who were both top-class horses in South Africa. Rafeef is now making a big name for himself in the stallion ranks there.
“However, my favourite memory is Majmu, a beautiful filly by Redoute’s Choice from a South American family. She was a gorgeous yearling who went on to be Champion Two-Year-Old filly in South Africa and won the Fillies Guineas as a three-year-old, and is now at stud in Europe – her second foal is a very useful Dubawi gelding called Mujtaba who I hope will win a Group race this year.”
Jon Freyer, Arrowfield Bloodstock Manager since 2009
“Sweet Idea (Snitzel-Flidais) was always a stunning filly. At that point Snitzel was not quite established but she was a standout and sold well. She was so tough and so competitive and her finest performance was her last start in The Galaxy in which she was devastating. This year’s Snitzel-Vasilissa filly reminds me of her.
“Beneteau (Redoute’s Choice-Slice of Paradise) was as nice a yearling as you’d ever see. Made a million to renowned judge Julian Blaxland and what a talent he was. Injury prevented him from becoming on the racetrack what his brilliant but brief stud career indicated he was capable of. If only.”
Adam Shankley, Arrowfield Assistant Operations Manager & 2022 Australian Horsemanship Award winner
“Forensics (Flying Spur-Prove It) was an absolutely beautiful filly – still the best yearling I think I’ve seen. I had a bet with [former Arrowfielder] Dave Morrissey when she was a yearling that she would win the Slipper. She ended up winning Group Ones at two, three and four.
“The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice-Azmiyna) had an amazing attitude as a yearling, laidback and relaxed, he glides across the ground and barely makes a sound. He was an amazing racehorse and to have him back home is fantastic.”
Sam Fairgray, Arrowfield Operations Manager, 2000-14, now Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer
Sam nominates two horses from Arrowfield’s 2005 Inglis Easter draft that both won Group 1 races at two and three and quinella-ed the Champagne S. G1.
“Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice-Forest Pearl) was always a great type with a super temperament. She went through her foaling, rearing and yearling preparation without any hassles. She was so determined as a racehorse, her will to win was tremendous. Sometimes horses just have a certain aura about them and she was certainly one of them. She is still my all-time favourite.
“Mentality (Flying Spur-Synaesthesia) was a big, strong chestnut colt and he had a great brain. He got cast in the doorway of his stable in his yearling prep one evening and JM, Paul and I had to go and help the nightwatchman get him unstuck.
“He knew we were there to help, he didn’t panic, he waited until we had everything in place with the door open and we slid him on his back until he was released. He stood up, we led him down the barn to check he was okay, put him back in his stable and he never turned a hair. Great horse, great mind. Not expensive, just a great racehorse purchased by a great judge.”
That “great judge” was Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes who has found plenty of other very good horses carrying the Jockey Cap & Diamonds brand.
“Arrowfield always have a good crop of horses each year, their yearlings do so well on the terrific pasture at the farm and they’re always very well-presented at the sales.
“We thought Yearning (Snitzel-Rising Romance) was a high quality filly from the moment we saw her, and she’s just retired as a Group 1 winner.
“Estijaab (Snitzel-Response) the filly speaks for herself, she was a magnificent yearling that went on to win the Golden Slipper.”
John is now looking forward to more success with Arrowfield graduates 2YO filly Yayoi (I Am Invincible-Omei Sword) from last year’s Inglis Easter Sale and Estijaab’s full brother Remarque, aiming at Group 1 prizes this Autumn.
Frank Pollio, Arrowfield’s Marketing Manager, 2002-2008
“Alverta (Flying Spur-Grilse) is dearest to me as she encapsulated how blessed I was to meet Paul Messara in Deauville in 2000 when the two of us were working in France.
“I am forever grateful for our friendship and was so glad that, despite my best efforts after Alverta was passed in at Easter (I had two potential buyers get to vetting stage before declining), what began as disappointment turned to great joy watching Paul train her to become his first city winner, stakeswinner and Group 1 winner.
“She and Paul then ventured to Europe where she was crowned Joint Champion Older Female Sprinter in Great Britain.”
Frank also explains how he came up with her name. “Alverta, a white sturgeon caviar, has seven letters and a connection to both her sire and dam. Grilse is the name given to salmon when they spend one year at sea and then return to freshwater. Flying Spur is named after a model of Rolls Royce (1994 model I believe) and I figured caviar is the Rolls Royce of fish roe!”
These are just a few of the horses and the people who have contributed to Arrowfield’s legacy of success, including 29 Champions and 147 Group 1 wins – so far…
