Unforgotten –Fastest Australian Oaks Winner in History

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 14
The Inglis Easter sale-topper and three stakes-winners at Randwick on the second day of The Championships including Group I ATC Australian Oaks winner Unforgotten made this a week to remember for Coolmore's champion sire Fastnet Rock.



A real rising star for the Chris Waller stable, Unforgotten beat the colts to win the Group II ATC Phar Lap Stakes last month before rattling home for second in the ATC Vinery Stakes over 2000 metres behind blue-blooded High Chaparral (IRE) filly Hiyaam.

Punters believed she could turn the tables on Hiyaam in the Oaks over the longer 2400 metres and were proven correct as she triumphed to win by a length as favourite.

Unforgotten, the fastest Australian Oaks winner in historyRidden perfectly by Hugh Bowman, Unforgotten (images Steve Hart) settled just worse than midfield and hit the line hard to win as she pleased in a brisk 2:27.21, which bettered Serenade Rose's 2006 race record of 2.28:80.

"She had the perfect run the way the race was run. We knew Hiyaam was the one to chase, she set about chasing and it was good to see her get the upper hand," Waller said.

"The first question was her stamina and whether it would hold up.

"For a three-year-old filly it's quite a long way, you don't know about 2400 metres until you run it."

A $360,000 NZB Premier Yearling Sale purchase from the Curraghmore Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing, Unforgotten has won five of nine starts earning over $1million in prizemoney for her big team of Waller stable clients.

Foaled and raised at Coolmore, Unforgotten is a sister to stakes-placed Special Memories and is the third winner from Memories of You (IRE), a half-sister to dual Group I winner Matiara from an impressive European Black Type family.

Memories of You produced a colt by brilliant Group I winner No Nay Never (USA) last spring and was then covered by Champion 2YO Air Force Blue (USA).

Unforgotten is the 34th Group I winner worldwide for Fastnet Rock and is the seventh bred from a daughter of Galileo.

She was the third stakes-winner at Randwick for Fastnet Rock joining California Turbo (read about him here) and Catchy (read about here here).

Advertisment
More Reading...
David Ellis Swoops on $400,000 Zoustar Colt
Te Akau Racing's ground breaking Magic Millions Gold Coast National Sale continued today when the tangerine team purchased the half brother to one of their stars for $400,000 to top Day One of the National Yearling Sale.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 3
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Impressive Debut Winner for Hello Youmzain
Cambridge Stud shuttler Hello Youmzain (Fr) sired an impressive debut winner overnight with Electrolyte continuing a hot run for Wathnan Racing when scoring easily at Ayr.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday June 4
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Grand-dam of Epsom Oaks Winner in Australia
Aga Khan Studs had cause to celebrate last weekend when their lightly raced Dubawi filly Ezeliya won the Group I Epsom Oaks at just her fourth start, but there would also have been excitement on the other side of the world as her grand-dam Eytarna is now in Australia.
One to Watch – Bendigo
This Capitalist colt made a procession out of the 1100m maiden at Bendigo on Tuesday winning by five and a half lengths on debut.
Lazzago Set to Star on Inglis Digital
The G2-winning 2YO Lazzago (Capitalist) headlines a host of appealing race fillies and mares already confirmed for next week’s Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
Winning Debut for Flashy Magic Time Half-Brother
A dashing bay with a sparkling silver tail, Dundeel colt Henlein was an eye-catcher in the mounting yard and showed ability to match when the half-brother to dual Group I winner Magic Time made a winning debut at Bendigo on Tuesday.
NZB Chairman Joe Walls Retires
Distinguished New Zealand thoroughbred industry leader Joe Walls (MNZM) has retired from his role as Chairman of the NZB Board of Directors, bringing to a close his illustrious tenure with the auction house that spanned more than five decades.
Star Kiwi 3YO Crocetti Back in Work
Standout three-year-old Crocetti has returned to work ahead of what trainers Danny Walker and Arron Tata are hoping will be a lucrative spring preparation.