Beneteau joins the Arrowfield roster
Last season’s crack 2YO colt Beneteau has been retired from racing and will stand at Arrowfield in 2011.
A handsome, athletic son of champion sire Redoute’s Choice from Slice of Paradise, a stakes-placed sister to champion filly Alinghi, Beneteau was a $1 million Blue Sky Thoroughbreds purchase from the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Ten months later, he burst into Golden Slipper calculations with a sparkling summer campaign in Sydney and Melbourne.
Pictured: Beneteau winning the 2010 MRC Blue Diamond Prelude G3. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
After winning his Australia Day debut at Randwick by almost three lengths, he easily accounted for the field in the MRC Blue Diamond Prelude G3 (pictured). Two weeks later he was a valiant third, beaten just over half a length by Star Witness, in the MRC Blue Diamond S. G1, after being forced extremely wide on the home turn.
He also put up a fine performance in the 2010 STC Golden Slipper S. G1 where he overcame early buffeting to finish strongly for fifth, little more than two lengths from the winner Crystal Lily.
Beneteau’s six-start career at two earned him a Timeform rating of 121, shared with Star Witness, Decision Time and Skilled, and second only to Crystal Lily (122).
A back injury suffered in the paddock during his subsequent spell continued to affect Beneteau when he returned to training, and caused the postponement of campaigns aimed at the Caulfield and Randwick Guineas. A Brisbane campaign was then planned, until the decision was made earlier this week to retire him to stud.
Trainer Paul Messara says of Beneteau, “He is the most naturally gifted racehorse I have so far trained. His talent, great looks and generous character have made him a stable star from day one.”
Arrowfield Stud’s chairman John Messara says, “It is always disappointing to retire a colt that has not had the chance to display the full measure of his talent on the racecourse. However, the xample of sensational young sire Not A Single Doubt , who retired as a Listed Stakes winner and began his career at a similar fee, gives us great confidence in Beneteau.
“We certainly saw enough of him to be sure he possesses all the qualities we seek in stallions. We have also taken enough bookings to him already to be sure he will receive every opportunity to impart them.”
Beneteau will stand the 2011 season at a fee of $11,000 including GST.
