Remembering Redoute’s Choice, 1996-2019
Visitors to Arrowfield are greeted by the magnificent Tanya Bartlett statue of Arrowfield's legendary & very much-missed sire Redoute’s Choice. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
It’s a year today since the death of Arrowfield’s glorious Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice and it is still hard to believe he’s gone, when so much of his legacy is alive around us.
His progeny have won 21 stakes races in the past 12 months, including Group 1 wins by Danceteria (in Germany), Loire (in New Zealand) and Alabama Express (in Australia). A pair of talented 2YO colts, King’s Legacy & Prague from his 17th crop are already Group winners and hold the promise of further development.
Aided by Champion 3YO Colt The Autumn Sun as his leading earner, Redoute’s Choice ended the 2018/19 season in 9th spot on the Australian General Sires’ Premiership with $9.7 million prizemoney. His own record of three titles was matched by his Champion Sire son Snitzel, and Not A Single Doubt ended the season in 5th position. They are currently 2nd and 4th on the 2019/20 Premiership.
Redoute’s Choice also won his first Broodmare Sires’ Premiership in 2019 with record earnings of $23.2 million and is leading his great rival Encosta de Lago again on that table this year. This season’s 21 worldwide stakeswinners so far left by Redoute’s Choice mares include Group 1 winners Flit (by Medaglia d’Oro), Regal Power (by Pierro) & Super Seth (by Dundeel).
His DNA dominated last Saturday’s Golden Slipper, won by his grandson Farnan (by Not A Single Doubt) from his grand-daughter Away Game (by Snitzel) and great-grandson Mamaragan (by Wandjina). That result neatly echoed the 2005 Slipper, quinella-ed by Redoute’s Choice’s son Stratum & daughter Fashions Afield.
As the numbers of his young progeny diminish, demand for Redoute’s Choice’s yearlings is as strong, perhaps stronger than ever. His 16 lots sold at the 2019 Inglis Easter Sale averaged $430,625, while his 7 yearlings at this year’s Magic Millions Sale achieved an average price of $451,428. The $1.1 million Gresset colt sold in January by Bhima Thoroughbreds is his 82nd seven-figure yearling.
Redoute’s Choice also figures as the damsire of the top-priced yearling sold so far in 2020, Arrowfield’s Deep Impact-Honesty Prevails colt bought for $1.9 million by Ottavio & Wendy Galletta.
The relentless, and reassuring cycle of thoroughbred racing and breeding (never mind the current worldwide turmoil we’re all experiencing) fills the present with more than enough work, activity and excitement and the past recedes very quickly. As Redoute’s Choice’s last 27 foals, born last Spring, make their way through the sale & racing systems his own story will finally come to a natural conclusion.
But in the hearts & memories of all who knew and loved him best, the great and generous spirit of our magnificent Champion, Hero & Friend will burn brightly and forever.
