When Encosta de Lago's daughter Miss Marielle was retired to stud in 2008 she was already a valuable mare, boasting a pair of Listed stakes wins and runner-up in the Group II Moonee Valley Fillies Classic, but a twist of fate saw her valued increase immeasurably.
After finishing last in a Listed race at Caulfield back in October 2008, time was called on the racetrack career of Miss Marielle.
Despite being late in the season, she was first covered by Exceed And Excel and when she failed to conceive was covered by Danehill Dancer (IRE).
When she missed again the decision was made to put the daughter of Encosta de Lago back into training, with Joe Pride selected as the new trainer.
It looked a long way off an inspired move when Miss Marielle (photo Mark Smith) trailed home last of nine over 1200 metres at Randwick.
But it was a mere glitch in a period
She then downed Pacino and Roman Emperor in the Group II Hill Stakes before defeating Nom Du Jeu in the Group III Craven Stakes at Randwick.
It proved to be her final win however the pedigree page was given another boost when Miss Marielle's half-brother Eurozone won his first three starts including the Listed Rosebud at Randwick.
The son of Northern Meteor then defeated Criterion in the Group II Stan Fox Stakes, was beaten a nose in the Group I CF Orr Stakes and was third in the Group I Randwick Guineas.
A few months after Eurozone was retired to stand at Newgate Farm, Miss Marielle's first foal Peeping won at her career debut at Hawkesbury.
The daughter of Redoute's Choice would go on to win the Listed Sebring Stakes Group II Golden Pendant before a career
Sadly, that proved to be her final start. Less than two months later she was dead from colic while out spelling.
Campaigned as a homebred by Tom Kelly, Peeping did not have the chance to extend the family fortunes but two years after producing Peeping, Miss Marielle foaled her full brother, France.
Knocked down to China Horse Club / Michael Wallace Bloodstock for $475,000 at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling sale, France opened his winning account at his second start at Canterbury in November before placing at Rosehill and Warwick Farm.
The Peter & Paul Snowden-trained colt resumes from a spell in Schweppervescense Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Miss Marielle has a two colt by More Than Ready named Armed and Ready who was a $500,000 Easter Yearling, and a Sebring colt that was passed in short of his $300,000 reserve at this year's Easter Yearling sale.
After foaling a filly by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) last spring, Miss Marielle was bred back to the son of El Prado.
