Let’s Karaka Deel (rail) fought hard for his 5th placing in November’s Victoria Derby G1 and is now a leading chance for the Queensland Derby G1. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)

Dundeel adds 8th Group 1 performer

Dundeel’s son Let’s Karaka Deel lowered his price for the Queensland Derby G1 on 29 May with an excellent second to stablemate Explosive Jack  in Saturday’s South Australian Derby 2500m G1.

Explosive Jack gets it done in the #SADerby! pic.twitter.com/kbYGRwRRxJ

— Racing SA (@RacingSA) May 8, 2021

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher said, “It was a super run from Let’s Karaka Deel, he travelled well and was on the bridle and ran accordingly.”

He is Dundeel’s 8th Group 1 performer, and the fourth this season after Truly Great (Kingston Town Classic G1), She’s Ideel (2nd, Tancred S. G1) and Hit the Shot (2nd, Victoria Derby G1). 

The champion son of High Chaparral has also been represented in 2020/21 by Group 2 winners Victoria Quay & Atyaab, Listed winners Ain’tnodeeldun & Entente and six other stakes performers, including Queensland Oaks G1 contender Atonement. 

Let’s Karaka Deel won his second start back in August and has performed well in stakes company throughout the season, adding Group 3 and Listed seconds to his record, and a fighting fifth placing in the Victoria Derby G1. 

Bred in New Zealand by Tony Craig with the Hawkins family of Wentwood Grange Farm, the colt is the first foal of the O’Reilly mare Tegwin (a daughter of stakeswinner Anne Carina) and was sold for $80,000 at Karaka to Flying Start Syndications & Pinhook Bloodstock. 

Dundeel’s yearlings have averaged more than $140,000 across all sales for each of the past three seasons and in 2021 have sold up to the $850,000 paid by Dean Hawthorne for Arrowfield’s full brother to Super Seth at Inglis Easter.