On the launch of this website in 2005 we said "The future is probably the cornerstone for prosperity of any business and with DGR our future is measured more than most by the prosperity of our clients in the many forms of rewards they gather as racehorse owners, breeders, vendors and the like".
Season 2010/11 Highlights
It would have been fanciful to think the exploits of season 2009/10 could have been bettered. But one never turns down an invitation to watch greatness from close quarters.
 So You Think’s spring of 2010 encompassed six starts, netted five wins and a third and was enough for The International Federation of Horse Authorities to anoint him as the world’s equal Champion Intermediate Turf Performer and the Champion Stayer for the year.
On a personal note it was immensely satisfying to see the enjoyment he bought owners Dato Tan Chin Nam and Tunku Ahmad Yahaya and trainer Bart Cummings. From a professional point-of-view it was understandably rewarding to see him move into a stratospheric level of performance. Just as satisfying was the So You Think- Dariana quinella in the Gr.1 Underwood Stakes.
The challenge now confronting So You Think is against Europe’s best. His title of world’s equal Champion Intermediate Turf Performer will go on the line and, in the process, he will shine a light onto Australasian racing and breeding industries.
The opportunity to showcase our elite is a rare one. That Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle’s chief, Aidan O’Brien, has embraced such a challenge is exciting. They should be applauded for the risk they are taking.
The first hurdle has been jumped. So You Think has taken to his new environment and training regime as outlined by his 10 length triumph in the Gr.3 Mooresbridge Stakes (2000m) at the Curragh.
 In his absence our interest on a local front lies in a pool of promising talent and emerging older horses. Precedence won both the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup and Gr.3 JRA Cup in the spring but was unable to replicate that form in the autumn. Do You Think collected the Gr.3 The Schweppervescence Stakes at only his second juvenile start, Kudakulari returned with success in the Listed Canberra Guineas and some promising staying types emerged.
Kim Divine won successive starts before being tested in group company. It was disappointing he had to be scratched from the barriers in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes when a runner next to him broke through the front of the starting stalls. He was immediately spelled with the spring in mind. In his absence I Think I Do’s promise began to be delivered upon as the autumn unfolded. Both of these three-year-olds have the talent to emerge as quality staying types in the spring.
Season 2009/2010 Highlights
Viewed – Caulfield Cup Gr1 (2008 Melbourne Cup)
So You Think – Cox Plate Gr1 (and Gloaming Stakes Gr3,
2nd Emirates Stakes Gr1)
Faint Perfume – VRC Oaks Gr1, Storm Queen S Gr1
(and Wakeful S Gr2, Kewney S Gr2, 2nd AJC Oaks Gr1)
Dariana – QTC Derby Gr1 (and AJC Frank Packer Plate
Gr3, 3rd Doomben Roses Gr3)
Allez Wonder – MRC Toorak Hcp Gr1
Russeting – QTC Winter Stakes Gr1
Other stakes and Group winners in the same twelve month period included Precedence (Listed), Kudakulari (Listed), Kroner (Gr2). These horse were acquired from various origins, So You Think, Dariana and Allez Wonder were purchased at yearling auctions in Australia & New Zealand, Viewed was purchased the from paddock as a yearling, Russeting from a tried horse sale while Faint Perfume was a homebred, a product of her grandmother and fellow dual Gr1 winner Danendri, who was purchased at auction as a yearling. Mares under management provided the aforementioned Faint Perfume and the likes of the unbeaten Group winner Sidera and the Group3 and Group 1 placed 3yo filly Marheta. Juveniles from other mares to step out and win include Big Storm & Liveandletdie.
This updated mention is made half way through the Australian Racing year of 2008/2009, twelve months since the last update below. In that time, which included time out for most of our team through the disastrous EI outbreak, our clients successes have been highlighted by Viewed in his historic Melbourne Cup Gr1 win of 4/11/08 making this our second such success in the “race that stops a nation”. This particular win also marked trainer Bart Cummings unmatchable 12th Melbourne Cup victory and his overall 250th Group 1 and owner Dato’ Tan Chin Nam a record 4th win of the race as an owner. Other stakes or Group performers included Book Of Kells who took out the Tulloch Stakes Gr2 in April, Viewed’s Brisbane Cup Gr2 and JRA Plate L wins in Sydney & Brisbane and a watch on young stakes performing fillies Allez Wonder & Think Money. Overseas the latter’s half sister It’s All Money gained further “black type”. Kosi Bay added a further Gr2 victory to her record before being sold as a highly credentialed broodmare prospect to United States interests. Former racing team members God’s Own had his first foals this spring as a stallion as too did Pendragon while Wonderful World served his first book of mares this year after also being sold as an exciting and highly valuable stallion.
While this mention is only half way through the for Australian Racing year of 2007/2008 mention indeed should be made for the future of young stallions to emerge from our racing ranks all purchased as yearlings for our clientele. God's Own & Wonderful World, back to back Caulfield Guineas Gr1 winners amoungst thier many Group 1 performances on the track, and while not divulging confidential information, have earned on the track and been sold as stallions for their connections for well over the $20million dollar mark. This in a space of around 18 months for an original outlay of $390,000 the pair, has to be considered a major success. Stablemate Pendragon, a high class performer himself and a nz$180,000 yearling has also found the good life with a strong position at stud in 2007. His harem included the dams of three Group 1 winners, half sisters to another five Group 1 winners and a number of daughters of Group 1 winners. He too will have a viable future at stud.
Now nearing the end of the 2006/2007 Australian racing season we can look both back and forward. Of the horses labeled to succeed ay the start of 2006 as written further down, Wonderful World became the second of our back to back Caulfield Guineas Gr1 winners as well as other Group victories and a placing in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Prelude at two. Prince Arthur evolved into a quality middle distance horse winning multiple stakes races. Kosi Bay became a stakes winner & Group 1 placed herself, Laylia has won three likewise Columate and maiden no more Byaraja, a winner in Sydney & Hong Kong. Still overseas, Kamsky added to his record with a win in Singapore. Class horse High Cee added a further Group 2 win via his Ajax stakes performance. Mi Casa also became a stakes winner amongst his wins of the season. Accumulate came back from enforced rest to win twice in good fashion and be game in defeat in the Brisbane Cup.
Lamentably, high quality racehorse Pendragon went amiss on the training tracks but happily for him he finds himself at stud (see nominations for sale). God’s Own also now knows the joys of stud live having recorded 143 mares in foal in his first season at stud at Eliza Park also in Victoria.
Looking forward with horses just back in work (June 2007) for the spring of the new 2007/2008 season include the aforementioned Wonderful World, Prince Arthur, Kosi Bay, Mi Casa, High Cee and Accumulate. Of the younger brigade we hold opinions of now multiple winner Viewed, rising 3yo Kroner and the rest while unraced rising 2yo & 3yo’s remain the privileged information of the owners concerned.
Above, stakeswinners all in 2006 -2007, Wonderful World, Prince Arthur, Kosi Bay, High Cee all return to training for the 2007 - 2008 season.
Reflecting we said - 2006 looks like the fortunes may favour many of our clients. Our clients horses are racing in a strong vein at present and with many at the formative stages of their careers rather than the latter there is much to look forward to in 2006. Our clients horses are racing in a strong vein at present and with many at the formative stages of their careers rather than the latter their is much to look forward to in 2006.
The current future looks bright with many promising and proven racehorses currently racing for our clients. Those horse include recent Caulfield Guineas Gr1 winner and leading stallion prospect Gods' Own, Gloaming Stakes Gr2 & Norman Robinson Stakes Gr3 winner Pendragon, VRC St Leger Gr2 winner Accumulate, SAJC Derby Gr1 placegetter Kamsky, 2004 & 2005 Cups contender & 2005 SAAB Qaulaity Gr3 winner Strasbourg, 2005 Newcastle Cup Gr3 winner High Cee, exciting debutant winners Wonderful World & Laylia along with hat trick winners like Cresta Run and lightly raced but interesting maidens like Columate & Byaraja, lightly raced winners like Prince Arthur, Kosi Bay & Cavita and some more seasoned winners including Roadhog, Mi Casa etc., and few others yet produced that shall remain the priveldged knowledge of their owners for the time being. (Last year the horse under wraps was God's Own).
Top left is God's Own in that remarkable victory in the Caulfield Guineas Gr1 while opposite him is Pendragon storming clear for his "maiden win" in the Gr2 Gloaming Stakes no less. Many of the industries best judges expect to see both these colts feature in the top 3yo races of the Autumn of 2006.
Wonderful World seen above left impressed us and many of the "judges" with his fine win on 2yo debut at Canterbury. A Magic Millions contender, he will given his opportunity to show he is indeed a top two year old in races like the Magic Millions, Blue Diamond and may be even the Golden Slipper if he can aspire that high. Pictured bottom right is the very lightly raced but talented stayer High Cee who at his last racecourse appearances put together a winning treble culminating in a dead heat in the Newcastle Cup Gr3. A "cups" 2006 spring might just be his go.
People form an important part of the future success. Below left Starsbourg's owners look forward to celebrations like the one shown while the future is often determined early with the selection process of the young horses also seen below at the world best facility of New Zealand Bloodstock, Karaka.
Future progeny likely to be offered by clients at the nations leading sales would include those from such mares as dual Group 1 winner Danendri, half relations to Group 1 winners St Basil & Pantani from Dewamar, the progeny of Melbourne Cup & Oaks placegetter Zazabelle and so on.
So the future looks quite bright, we hope history reflects it.
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