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)

Stakeswinner No. 172 for Redoute’s Choice

Thirteen winners of 20 stakes races in less than 12 months is a notable record for any stallion, but for Redoute’s Choice it’s business as usual, even after his death in March 2019. Remarkably, those figures are his actual per-season averages over the past 17 years. 

His latest headliner, a week after his 37th Group 1 winner Alabama Express, is the Irish-bred Dabiyr. He was the narrow but decisive winner of Friday evening’s  $150,000 MVRC Torney Night Cup 2500m LR for Chris Waller and a large group of owners managed by Victorian syndicator Brad Spicer.  

A perfectly rated ride from @JyeMcNeil sees Dabiyr defeat stablemate Vaucluse Bay. @cwallerracing @TheValley pic.twitter.com/gxoi5DpbCp

— Racing.com (@Racing) February 14, 2020

A 2018 private purchase by agent Justin Bahen, the then-3YO gelding had won a maiden race in Ireland at his second start for his owner-breeder HH the Aga Khan whose French stud Haras de Bonneval was home to Redoute’s Choice for two Northern Hemisphere seasons, in 2013 & 2014. 

Dabiyr has blossomed in Australia, winning four of his 10 starts since last June and more than $300,000 prizemoney. The lead-up to his Moonee Valley success included a win last month over 1800 metres at Randwick, where he is likely to be seen again, this time in the $2 million Sydney Cup G1 on 11 April.

Dabiyr (ex Dabista by Highest Honor) is descended from a half-sister to Champion Sire and Broodmare Sire Darshaan, as well as Group 1 winner & outstanding broodmare Darara. The Aga Khan’s current broodmare band includes two young mares from this family: Dabiyr’s half-sister Dabulena (by Siyouni) and Diylawa (by Mastercraftsman).

The results from the two crops Redoute’s Choice sired at Haras de Bonneval now read 65 winners & 10 stakeswinners (six of them Group winners including Group 1 winner Danceteria, also now racing in Australia) from 104 runners. 

Nine yearlings from the second-last crop of Redoute’s Choice will be offered at the 2020 Inglis Easter Sale, including three fillies and a colt in Arrowfield’s consignment.