Tannhauser delivers at Doomben

It’s a case of “Queensland Derby here I come” for Dundeel’s 29th stakeswinner Tannhauser after his resolute victory in Saturday’s $250,000 BRC Rough Habit Plate 2000m G3 at Doomben.

His performance was franked by the Australian Oaks G1 winner Autumn Angel (by The Autumn Sun) who powered up from near the back of the field to run second, and last-start Queensland Guineas G2 winner Kintyre, two lengths away in third spot.  All three are among the Derby nominations. 

It’s @cwallerracing and @mcacajamez to finish the day at Doomben!

Tannhauser a bit too strong late and wins the G3 Rough Habit Plate beating Autumn Angel and Kintyre. pic.twitter.com/fvfxI47zAg

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 18, 2024

Tannhauser’s jockey James McDonald said, “Perfect run. He’s a nice horse. He’s got a lot of ability. This time last year he might have started favourite for a JJ Atkins.” Indeed, after his Sydney 2YO maiden win last May, Tannhauser was favourite for that race and finished third to King Colorado & Dundeel’s daughter Miracle Of Love.

However, the winner’s circle eluded him until Chris Waller and his owners made the decision to geld him after his 4th in Kintyre’s Frank Packer Plate G3 on 20 April, and send him to the stable’s Gold Coast base.

Bred by Highclere Stud Australia, Tannhauser is the second foal of Luqyaa (by Exceed and Excel), a city-winning 2YO and multiple stakes- placegetter whose dam Charmview was also a Queensland Group winner. 

China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock and Trilogy Racing combined to purchase him for $425,000 from the Milburn Creek 2022 draft at Magic Millions Gold Coast. The same team also signed at that sale for Dundeel’s triple Group 1-winning son Militarize, now standing at Newgate.

Dundeel maintains his lead on Australia’s current 3YO Sires’ table with $8.2 million prizemoney and 5 stakeswinners headed by Group 1 winners Celestial Legend & Militarize.