Te Akau Treble - Rose Blooms

Te Akau homebred French Rose (4 m Burgundy – Paraiba, by Faltaat) recorded her second win on 24 April at Timaru, when taking out the $17,000 Rating 65 1200 metres.

A winner earlier in the season over 1200 metres at Riccarton, French Rose had produced a notable effort for fifth, following an economical trip, in the Rating 65 1200 metres on 4 April at Ashburton, and rated a top four chance.

Ridden by Warren Kennedy, who rode another homebred stable-mate Beau Brummell (Embellish) to win race one on the programme, French Rose utilized the inside draw to position three back on the rail, quickened into the clear on straightening and sustained her finish to claim pacemaker Brancaster Bomber (Showcasing) near the line.

In the race named Central South Island Owners/Trainers Association, French Rose ran 1200 metres in excellent time (1:09.8) on Good4 footing, last 600m in 34.4 (approx.), and paid $5.20 & $1.80 on the NZ TAB tote.

“It was really good to get another win with her,” said co-trainer Mark Walker.

“She’s not the biggest of mares, but tries hard, gives it 100 percent every time, and it was a lovely ride of Warren’s to get a soft run and work clear at the right time.

“Hunter (Durrant), who manages the horses and staff for us at the Riccarton Stables, has the team in really good form and all the horses looked terrific when I was there on Saturday for track work and the races at Riccarton, and doing stable inspections.

“We’ll just wait and see where the handicapper places her in the ratings before deciding plans.”

Bred by Te Akau Principal David Ellis CNZM and owned by Te Akau Rose of France Racing Partnership (Mgr: Karyn Fenton-Ellis MNZM), French Rose is a sister to former stable-mate and stakes placed winner of eight races Burgundy Rose, and like her she also appears the type the keep improving.

French Rose is among a growing list of successful homebred fillies by Burgundy (Redoute’s Choice), whom Ellis purchased as yearling at Karaka, and obliged with five stakes wins before becoming a successful sire that unfortunately passed in 2019.

Maven Belle and Belle En Rouge, both homebred fillies by Burgundy, have led the way. Maven Belle (ex. Doyenne, by Kilimanjaro) included the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr. 1, 1400m) and Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (Gr. 2, 1200m) on her way to becoming Champion Two-Year-Old, while Belle En Rouge (ex. Cavendish Belle, by Thorn Park) won the New Zealand Oaks (Gr. 1, 2400m) and Eight Carat Classic (Gr. 2, 1600m) on her way to tying stable-mate Self Obsession (Shocking) for New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year honours.

As a dam sire, Burgundy kept the Te Akau homebred flag flying recently when Nucleozor (2 g Almanzor – Nucleonic, by Burgundy) proved far too good in the Welcome Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on 13 April at Riccarton, providing the stable their ninth success in the race.

“The cross with Burgundy with the mare (Paraiba) has worked particularly well to produce Burgundy Rose, who was a fast and talented racehorse, and now French Rose has won a couple,” Ellis said.

“Burgundy was a huge loss to the New Zealand breeding industry, after only serving a handful of crops, and given the success of his progeny he would stand at quite a high fee now.

“He was probably the fastest horse we’ve ever trained a Te Akau, a great athlete and he’s passed that on to his progeny.

“He’s a really good sire and it’s very sad that we haven’t still got him. He’s shown to leave quality horses, like himself, and very versatile with two-year-olds right through to a New Zealand Cup winner, while as a broodmare sire he’s already showing his quality with horses like Nucleozor.”

French Rose was strapped by Hollie Smith.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz