Dundeel’s 2YO progeny record ranks highly
Dundeel's four 2YO Group 1 performers this season have made everyone pay attention. (PHOTO: Joan Faras)
Dundeel has already fulfilled many of the hopes & predictions made for his stud career back in 2014.
He’s ticked the boxes for Classic winners (Super Seth, Atyaab & Dunkel), weight-for-age performers (Truly Great, She’s Ideel), multiple stakeswinners (Entente, Hope In Your Heart & The Inevitable), million-dollar yearlings and a top 10 spot among Australia’s leading sires (he’s currently 6th).
But his rocketing success as a sire of 2YOs has surprised even his most ardent supporters.
In last Saturday’s $1 million J.J. Atkins 1600m G1, Arrowfield’s home-bred filly Miracle Of Love (2nd) and Newgate & partners’ colt Tannhauser (3rd) took Dundeel’s tally of 2YO Group 1 performers to seven, from only 9 Group 1 2YO runners.
That’s more than I Am Invincible, Not A Single Doubt & Zoustar. In fact, so far Dundeel’s strike rate of 2YO G1 performers/total runners is 1 in 62, which compares favourably with Redoute’s Choice (1 in 70), Marscay (1 in 77), Snitzel (1 in 80) and Danehill (1 in 84) – southern hemisphere 2YO runners only.
Some of Dundeel’s 7 2YO Group 1 performers:
The Atkins was only the third race start for both the winner King Colorado and Miracle Of Love, whose jockey Michael Dee’s confirmed her abundant potential.
“She is a lovely filly and whatever she’s done this prep she’s only going to get ten times better next round.”
Tannhauser began awkwardly and raced wide throughout, but nevertheless impressed his jockey James McDonald.
“He ran so well. He just got a bit too far back but made a good run.”
This pair, along with the outstanding Inglis Sires’ G1 & Champagne S. G1 winner Militarize, Group 1-placed Townsend and 8 other winners have earned Dundeel 5th spot on the Australian 2YO Sires’ Premiership with just over $2 million prizemoney.
And given that Dundeel’s 2020 crop is the first conceived at a level above his opening fee, with a matching increase in mare quality, his capacity for surprise is far from exhausted.
