Aquilo Flies like an Eagle

By boom sire Snitzel (Redoute's Choice), Aquilo (2 c Snitzel - My My Maree, by Testa Rossa) converted very good trial form into a race day victory in the $10,000 Sweynesse Maiden 2YO 1230 metres on Wednesday 12 April at Rotorua.

Purchased by David Ellis for $200,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Yearling Sale, from the draft of Hallmark Stud, and owned by the Te Akau Aquilo Syndicate, the colt is a half-brother to Group One winner and Champion two-year-old Marky Mark (Makfi).

“It was a great thrill for me because he has some truly wonderful owners,” Ellis said.

“Included in his ownersip is Ruth Redwood, a farmer just out of Matamata. She's bought shares in some very nice young horses and Aquilo is the first that's won for her. So, it was a very special moment for Karyn and me to see her get her first win.

“He is also owned by Tom and Sue Roper, who have been racing horses with me for twenty-five years and they are terrific supporters of the stable.  Bloodstock agent Michael Wallace and his wife Nicky have a share, Mark Baker from Hallmark Stud, Sandy Moore who is on the board of the Auckland Racing Club, Henry Norcross, Brendan and Jo Lindsay who they bred the horse, Ron Sissons and Alison Rowe who has been a huge supporter of the stable, and Robert Stewart from Wellington.”

Progeny by Arrowfield Stud stallion Snitzel, who heads the 2YO & 3YO Sires' Premierships in both earnings and wins in Australia, enabled the stud to finish leading vendor by aggregate at the recently completed Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney. His 38 yearlings sold for a total of $20,425,000, with an average of $537,500.

“He was great buying at the time,” said Ellis, of his outlay at the sales.

“He's been an immature horse that Steve (Autridge) and Jamie (Richards) have taken along quietly and like his dam he loves the sting out of the track. He's been work in progress, a little bit coltish but not too bad and he has a lot of improvement in him.

“He's from the barn run by Kris Shailer and the boys have done a great job with him.”

Held together on pace by Opie Bosson, Aquilo had the well-fancied Ottavio (Makfi) for company around the home turn, before gaining an advantage at the 200m, and required only hands and heels thereafter to get the job done on rain-affected heavy footing.

Having beaten subsequent dual winner Felton Road (Pins) at the trials, the training partners thought enough of Aquilo for him to debut in the $30,000 2YO 1200 metres on 14 January at Trentham. But not everything went to plan.

“He didn't fire,” said Autridge, of the run. “He was vetted after the race, which showed he had a virus, so he's been treated, spelled, and came back.

“He's always shown plenty. We were disappointed at Wellington, because we thought he was a big hope, but these things do happen.

“It's now about continuing to educate him and finding out what he likes. We might have found a horse that can handle wet tracks and there is a listed stakes race or two coming up for two-year-olds and we'll certainly have a look at the situation,” said Autridge, regarding upcoming assignments for Aquilo.

At the time of purchase, Ellis said: “We had just attended the Magic Millions sale on the Gold Coast, buying nine horses, and saw just how much money the progeny of Snitzel made and this colt would be right up with the best of them.

“He walks very well and has plenty of strength and we rated him highly when inspecting him at Hallmark Stud.”

“It's incredible the season that the boys are having,” Ellis added, referring to the Autridge/Richards combination.

“They've won more stakes money than any other stable in New Zealand, heading towards three-million dollars in New Zealand, alone, which is just a wonderful achievement by them and the staff.”

Aquilo was strapped by Kris Shailer.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz