Homebred Farnan races into Slipper reckoning
Phoenix Thoroughbreds are celebrating another homebred success after Farnan put in a dominant display to land the Group Two Silver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill.
The victory of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trainee provided Phoenix Thoroughbreds with a second Group winner as breeders in February following the victory of Letzbeglam in the Blue Diamond Prelude at Caulfield.
Perhaps better known for their exploits as Group One-winning owners the Dubai based group have a significant global breeding operation built around a large band of broodmares. Raised by Vinery Stud, the Farnan is by leading sire Not A Single Doubt out of the Street Cry mare Tallow. He went into the record books for landing a first homebred success for his breeders and co-owners when winning on debut at Canberra. The colt backed up with a second victory, taking out the Wyong Magic Millions Classic before the fates conspired against him in the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic on the Gold Coast. That defeat was soon forgotten though as he romped home to claim Group Two honours.
The subject of some market support as he headed to the 1100m start under Hugh Bowman Farnan looked a slightly stronger colt than in his previous starts. Breaking well as the barriers opened, he settled in off a strong pace set by Every Rose. Tracking that rival until the turn for home the juvenile colt moved upsides the leader powerfully as most of his rivals cried enough. Soon in the lead a challenge briefly emerged from Global Quest, but in truth, Farnan had far too much left in the locker and claimed success by just shy of three-and-a-half lengths.
“He’s always proven to be a top-class colt for us.” said co-trainer Adrian Bott. “He showed that very early in his career. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to show that up at the Magic Millions, but he had genuine excuses for that. He’s bounced back in great shape and been able to show his true credentials today. He’s proved to be versatile on that going and there’s more improvement to come.
“When you’re talking about the depth and the quality of the two-year-olds in Sydney at the moment you’ve always got to be impressed when they win in such fashion by such a margin. That did surprise us a bit although it backed up our faith in the colt bringing him here today.”
Bott went on to confirm that the colt may have one more run before heading as one of the favourites into the Group One Golden Slipper Stakes.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Thoroughbreds can look forward to another foal from Tallow with the mare currently in foal to The Autumn Sun.