New Group 1 performer for Redoute’s Choice

2YO Redoute’s Choice filly Honorine put up a tremendous effort at only her third start to run third in yesterday’s Greyville Golden Horseshoe S. 1400m G1.

Trainer Mike de Kock opted to start Honorine against the colts & geldings when she drew very wide in the Golden Slipper for 2YO fillies. Her Golden Horseshoe draw of 11 wasn’t much better, but the filly’s speed allowed her to take up a forward position, behind the pacemaking Blushing Peter and War Horse.

Honorine moved towards the lead as the field turned for home and ran on gamely in the straight, but could not withstand the strong finishes of the winner War Horse and runner-up Shimmer and Shine.

The Arrowfield-bred filly sold for $80,000 by Bellerive Stud at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Form Bloodstock was the buyer and returned to this year’s Melbourne Sale to pay $70,000 for Honorine’s half-sister by Hussonet, also offered in the Bellerive draft.

Honorine’s dam Zaldivar (by Honour and Glory) is from the family of the Aga Khan’s champion filly Darjina, French Derby winner Darsi and Australian Group winners Gentle Genius and her son Ironstein. Zarjina has a weanling filly by Hussonet and is carrying a three-quarter sibling to Honorine, by Beneteau .

Redoute’s Choice has an outstanding record in South Africa, with 6 stakes performers from nine runners, among them Golden Horseshoe G1 winner Musir and G2 winner Bishops Rock.