Castelvecchio filly claims G3 Kembla Grange Classic
Four first-crop Group winners including unbeaten filly Verona Rose, have made 2024/25 a breakthrough season for Arrowfield's exciting young home-bred sire Castelvecchio. (PHOTO: Joan Faras)
Verona Rose supplied a dramatic first act of an outstanding weekend for Arrowfield graduates with a storming victory in Friday’s $250,000 Kembla Grange Classic 1600m G3.
An impressive winner of her first two starts, the 3YO filly rounded up the entire field in much the style of her sire Castelvecchio to claim her first black type success and confirm a Group 1 Autumn campaign.
She is Castelvecchio’s 4th Group winner this season after El Castello (Spring Champion S. G1 & Gloaming S. G3), Group 2 winner Double Market and Group 3 winner & Group 1-placed Aeliana.
And like Lady Shenandoah, Lazzura & Skyhook, Verona Rose is a product of Arrowfield’s breeding program, out of the Aga Khan-bred mare Minamya (by Makfi), from the family of three-time Australian Group 1 winner Manighar.
VERONA ROSE remains unbeaten & SW4 for Castelvecchio in the Gr3 Kembla Grange Classic
Dam 1/2 to SW Mila Gr3p Mandistana
Granddam Minatlya a sister to Gr1 Manighar@GaryPortelli @KPMcEvoy @ArrowfieldStud @AgaKhanStuds @inglis_sales @bloodstocknews pic.twitter.com/7ODsXCSjXC
— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) March 14, 2025
Trainer Gary Portelli, who purchased Verona Rose for $40,000 from Arrowfield Inglis Classic 2023 draft, said, “I’ve always thought she was an Oaks filly. She was in all sorts on the turn, but once she balanced up, she just kept finding.
“To win a race like this at just her third start, against more seasoned fillies, it’s a huge effort. If she comes through it well, I don’t see why we don’t go straight to the Vinery and then the Oaks.”
Minamya is also the dam of 5-time winner Watch My Girl (by Maurice), unraced 2YO filly Pure Melody (also by Maurice) and a weanling colt by Hitotsu. She is now carrying a sibling to Verona Rose.
It’s proving to be a breakthrough season for Castelvecchio whose first 2025 yearlings have sold up to $290,000 and averaged more than 4 times his 2022 fee. He has two fillies and an Arrowfield-bred colt from Group winner Kebede on offer at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale which begins on Monday.
