Telemon Celebrate Crowning of Sidestep as Champion First Season Sire

Media Release - Thursday August 1
Telemon Thoroughbreds today paused to toast their Champion First Season sire SIDESTEP.

Joe Heather & SIDESTEP taking a selfie to commemorate the afternoon that KIAMICHI won the Group 1 Golden Slipper. The young son of EXCEED AND EXCEL adds the honour to his title of Champion 2YO Colt of 2013, and joins an illustrious group which, in preceding years, includes ZOUSTAR (2018), PIERRO (2017), SMART MISSILE (2016), HINCHINBROOK (2015), I AM INVINCIBLE (2014) and NORTHERN METEOR (2013).

ZOUSTAR, sire of superstar SUNLIGHT, was the only member of that group to exceed SIDESTEP'S first season prizemoney total.

SIDESTEP's first crop was headlined by multiple stakes winner KIAMICHI, winner of the Group 1 Golden Slipper and Group 3 Magic Night Stakes.

With KIAMICHI's win, SIDESTEP became the first sire since STRATUM to sire a Golden Slipper winner in his first crop.

In a phenomenal season, SIDESTEP placed fourth in the 2YO Sires table behind I AM INVINCIBLE, SNITZEL and his own illustrious sire EXCEED AND EXCEL, with the latter only passing him on the final day of the season.

SIDESTEP is currently a runaway leader on the First Season Sires table in France. If he can prevail as a dual hemisphere Champion First Season sire, it will be a history-making feat.

SIDESTEP having a play in his paddock during the recent filming of a 'Bred To Win' episode with Caroline Searcy to feature in the coming weeks on Sky Thoroughbred Central. Image courtesy of Searcy Media. The results of SIDESTEP's first crop have been a coup for Telemon Thoroughbreds which will stand him for a second season on its Queensland roster under an arrangement with Darley.

Telemon General Manager Joe Heather said:

"Being crowned Champion First Season Sire and producing the Golden Slipper winner from his first crop is a dream start.

"It is testament to the work of Darley where the foundation of his success was laid.

"SIDESTEP has enjoyed plenty of rest and relaxation in recent months, and after a few celebratory carrots today, will set his mind to easily his largest and highest quality book of mares yet."

Telemon owner Dan Fletcher said:

"We are so proud of what Sidestep has achieved.

"He has given us an amazing start at Telemon as well as justified the faith in him from Darley and those breeders that have sent mares to him across his first four years at stud.

"It is a coup for the Queensland breeding industry and a privilege for our farm to have another champion stallion in our ranks."

For more information on Telemon Thoroughbreds visit www.telemonstud.com.au
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sidestep Winner Brings Joy to Breeder
Tamworth based owner breeder Errol Leicht has had a lot of success with his broodmare Time Release and she made it four winners from four foals to race when her two year-old filly by Sidestep scored her first win at Grafton on Wednesday.
Can Lightning Strike Twice for Sidestep in Golden Slipper?
With nominations now in place for the 2020 Longines Golden Slipper, every owner and breeder can be forgiven for daydreaming about Australian racing and breeding’s most coveted prize.
Epsom Derby Contender for Camelot
One Classic trial that did go to plan was the Group III Cashel Palace Derby Trial (1m2f) at Leopardstown with undefeated Camelot colt Los Angeles staying that way in his seasonal return.
Pedigree Watch – French Classics – More Upsets
In a Euro classic season where nothing is turning out as planned there were more upsets overnight at Longchamp with the running of the French Guineas races and again the favourites never got a look in.
One to Watch – Mornington
The Magic Millions National Weanling Sale is just two weeks way and one of the top lots at the 2021 sale made a winning debut at Mornington on Monday.
French Stakes-Winner for Sidestep
Exciting young sire Sidestep sired his first Northern Hemisphere stakes-winner overnight with promising two yea-rold colt Real Appeal winning the Listed Prix La Flèche at Maisons-Laffitte.
Sires With Winners - Sunday May 12
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Four for Sidestep
Friendless in betting, I Am Courage was sent off a $61 chance at his career debut but he cut a swathe through nine opponents in a QTIS Two-Years-Old Handicap over 1050m at Toowoomba on Easter Monday to credit the First Season Sire frontrunner Sidestep with his fourth individual winner.
Third Aussie Winner for Blue Point
Darley shuttler Blue Point (IRE) is yet to replicate his Northern Hemisphere success in Australia, but he is on the Darley Victoria roster again for this spring and he did post an impressive debut winner at Mornington on Monday.
One to Watch – Sunshine Coast
It might have been a polytrack meeting at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, but this Sntizel colt could not have won any easier.