Castelvecchio’s double gold day
El Castello (purple cap) & Henlein give Castelvecchio & Dundeel a Group 1 son-&-father quinella in the $2 million Spring Champion S. G1 at Randwick. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
Sensational young sire Castelvecchio underlined his rapid progress with his first Group 1 winner, El Castello, and a new Group winner, Double Market in little more than two hours of Cox Plate day racing at Randwick & The Valley.
El Castello started favourite in the $2 million ATC Spring Champion S. 2000m G1 after three straight wins culminating with the Gloaming S. G3 on 12 October. He stepped up to the challenge with authority, settling behind the early leaders and, aided by a patient Josh Parr, waiting until 300 metres from home to take control of the race.
Dundeel’s son Henlein made a determined effort to get on terms with El Castello, but the Anthony Cummings-trained colt was too strong and scored by almost a half-length, with Firm Agreement third.
El Castello joins 2012 winner Dundeel, Castelvecchio’s half-sister Maid Of Heaven (2018) and Arrowfield graduates Profondo (2021), Magic Of Sydney (1996), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995) & Danewin (1994) on the Spring Champion honour roll. Castelvecchio himself was 2nd in the 2019 Spring Champion.
El Castello keeps on winning and is now a Group 1 winner! He takes the Spring Champion Stakes for @ACummingsRacing under @JoshuaParr8 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2qEtjFLnFa
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024
Josh Parr, who also rode Castelvecchio during his 2YO career, said, “Wow. That was thrilling, I tell you. The two went down the side, they took off and I just said, ‘no, not just yet my man, let’s just wait’. I was able to wait.
“We topped the hill and I just briefly started to let him go and his ears just slightly went different directions, he was waiting for some company. Henlein obviously came to him and he knuckled down and his last furlong was so strong. Incredible training performance and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
El Castello is now favourite for next Saturday’s $2 million Victoria Derby G1 at Flemington – a test his trainer is confident he’s on track to meet. “He is just a very good horse. The preparation went perfectly, everything worked out. He turned up the best horse today and I still think he improves again.”
Bred by Brendan Lindsay of Cambridge Stud, El Castello is the second foal of Word Games (by Fastnet Rock), a city-winning half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Fiveandahalfstar, also prepared by Anthony Cummings. This is the notable New Zealand family of Group 1 winners Captivate, Cross Swords, Culminate, Eileen Dubh, Gallic, Jon Snow, Master O’Reilly, Savaria, Soliloquy & Solveig.
El Castello was offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, where he was purchased by his trainer for $220,000.
15 days in October – G1, G2, G3 & Listed Race victories by Castelvecchio’s first-crop 3YOs
Castelvecchio’s daughter Double Market is Thousand Guineas G1-bound after winning the $300,000 MVRC Moonee Valley Fillies Classic 1600m G2 at her second start for Ben, Will & JD Hayes.
Jockey Michael Dee is positive about Double Market’s potential for further development. “I thought she won with a bit in hand, because she’s still very new and she’s really just doing that on raw ability…Whatever she does now, she’s going to be better in six months’ time.”
Double Market makes it two wins from two races to begin her career 💪@lindsayparkrace have their second win for the day 🙌@mickdee020 pic.twitter.com/PykFGGhRtx
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 26, 2024
Bred by GSA Bloodstock, Double Market is the second foal of the city-placed winner First Tier who is not only by Redoute’s Choice, but also a member of his celebrated female family, being in-bred 4 x 3 to his third dam Show Lady.
Double Market was sold from the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft for $100,000 to Lindsay Park Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. Her year-younger full brother, purchased as a weanling by agent Paul Willetts, is Lot 369 in next month’s NZB Ready To Run Sale, and First Tier has returned this Spring to Castelvecchio.
With 6 winners, 3 stakeswinners and $2.1 million prizemoney, Castelvecchio is the leading Second Season Sire currently standing in Australia and rises to 5th spot on the 3YO Sires’ table alongside his fellow Arrowfield sires Snitzel (3rd), Dundeel (8th) & The Autumn Sun (10th).
