A $600,000 son of Redoute's Choice from a pre-eminent European family, Great Esteem sports a first-class commercial pedigree desired by stallion prospects and early on looked like he may live up to his bloodlines.
He had two starts at two, the highlight of which was a closing third to Twilight Royale and Shamus Award in the Group II VRC Sires Produce Stakes.
But he ultimately proved a frustrating character and the best he could manage in 11 starts at three was a win in a maiden at Wangaratta.
Like his year older brother, the $850,000 High Esteem, Great Esteem was gelded.
High Esteem earned
It came in Saturday's Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield when the 6yo gelding led all the way under Katelyn Mallyon to defeat the highly regarded Tom Melbourne (Dylan Thomas) by one and a quarter length with Longeron (Lonhro) a further one and three-quarter length back in third. (photo Grant Courtney)
Trainer Stuart Webb credits a jumping regime in turning the geldings form around.
"He's a fantastic jumper and he loves it, ears pricked and he just flies over them. The change of environment it's really turned him around," Webb said.
"He came to us as a tried horse with the intention of him jumping so to win
"Sometimes horses like this can get further, I hadn't really got a plan in mind for him.
"I was just looking to win a couple with him. Whether he's up to going on to a race like the Naturalism I don't know but he's done a terrific job to win his last two."
In earning his first stakes win, Great Esteem advances his overall record to 8 wins, 4 seconds and 3 thirds from 35 starts with earnings of $406,380.
He was purchased for $600,000 by James Bester out of the Cressfield draft at the 2012 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling sale.
His dam Park Esteem (IRE) raced in Australia where she was stakes-placed.
The daughter of Singspiel is a three-quarter sister to Italian Group 1 winner Central Park who came so close to crediting Godolphin with a Melbourne Cup in 1999 when second to Rogan Josh.
Park Esteem (IRE) is also a three-quarter sister to Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner Moon Ballad.
A year after foaling Great Esteem, Park Esteem's Fastnet Rock colt Unassailed was purchased for $1 million as a yearling by Peter Moody.
Earlier this week, Park Esteem's 3yo Fastnet Rock colt Royal Navy finished third at Warwick Farm. He has been placed in all three starts to date.
Park Esteem was covered by Redoute's Choice again in 2015.
Great Esteem becomes the 135th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's flagship stallion.
