An Heroic Debut

The Te Akau 2015 Breeding Syndicate gained immediate success when two-year-old Fastnet Rock colt Heroic Valour, from the Nassipour mare Myrrh, proved too good on debut in the New World Stokes Valley 2YO Maiden on Saturday January 30 at Trentham.

Only four days earlier David Ellis had gone to $510,000 to secure his ful brother, from the Curraghmore Stud draft, at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling sale, after buying Heroic Valour from the same connections a year earlier for $400,000.

“He (Heroic Valour) is part of a breeding syndicate I put together that includes a Snitzel colt and a Fastnet Rock filly out of the Group One winning and Champion 2YO filly Il Quello Veloce,” said Ellis.

“All three have shown potential and it was such a thrill to get the syndicate off on a winning note.  I liked this colt (Heroic Valour) so much that I spent a lot of time inspecting his full brother at the sales this year. I was unbelievably impressed and couldn't go away without buying him for the breeding syndicate I've formed at this year's sale."

Heroic Valour had trialled up very well behind one of the Karaka Million favourites Caorunn (Showcasing) who went on to run a notable fourth in the $1m race last Sunday. He was a $3.10 & $1.30 second favourite for the race and ran the 1000 metres in 58.4.

A touch green through the run, under jockey Matt Cameron, Heroic Valour switched on when going up to lead at the 400m and once securing a one length advantage was never in danger thereafter.

“He pinned his ears back and fought,” said co-trainer Jamie Richards.

“He's very green still, but he's a colt that has shown a lot at home and he's a progressive type. Not many of these Fastnet Rock's go at two, but he's well above average, well bred, and it's very good for the owners.”

Jockey Matt Cameron said: “One of the things with these colts is that when they are attacked they really find and it's a good sign. It's the ones that don't find when attacked that are the ones you worry about. But he has a lot of quality about him and a lot to learn, so it's a bonus going forward.

The win was the 55th for premiership leading trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, who command a buffer of 11 wins over their closest rival.

“He's a colt that will have his next start in a stakes' race at Matamata in four weeks, providing Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) are happy that he comes through this win in good order,” said Ellis.

“He's a very professional colt,” said Ellis. “He travelled well, cleaned up all his feed last night and although he was a little bit green in his first race, there is a lot of improvement, and you can see he's going to be a serious horse - especially as a three-year-old.

“He will probably have another couple of starts as a two-year-old and then prepare for the 2000 Guineas in the spring, which is the race we've won with Xtravagant this season and five times in total."

At the time of purchase, in 2015, Ellis had said of the colt: “We rated him as one of the best Fastnet Rock (Danehill) colts in the sale, made all the better by exuding a sensational temperament and he has a beautifully relaxed demeanour that will stand him in good stead.

“As a type he is a smaller and more precious individual by this sire and our opinion is that he can progress towards racing as an autumn two-year-old before aiming at the three year old classics.  He really is an outstanding colt, with good strength and plenty of class in his appearance,” Ellis had said.

His dam, Myrrh, has already left the winners of more than twenty races. Her best performer was Triple Honour (Honours List). Trained by Chris Waller, Triple Honour won three times as a two year old, was a good horse in any ones language, and culminated his career by winning the Doncaster Handicap (Gr. 1, 1600m) at Randwick.
His dam-sire, Nassipour, has always been regarded as a great stallion and famous for siring the terrific race mare Let's Elope who was a very impressive winner of the Melbourne Cup for trainer Bart Cummings.

Heroic Valour was strapped by Gary Ritchie.

Photo credits - www.raceimages.co.nz