Red Letter Day for Bon Hoffa

Mark Smith - Saturday September 23

A red-letter day for Bowness Stud's Bon Hoffa with his hugely promising son Don't Give A Damn leading home a 1-2-4 finish for his sire in the Highway Handicap at Rosehill only to be topped by the Ciaron Maher-trained Bons Away who downed the Everest hope Brave Smash (JPN) in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

Under a well-timed finished by Linda Meech, Bons Away defeated Brave Smash by a head with the veteran Fast 'N' Rocking two lengths back in third.  (photo Grant Courtney)

It was the fourth consecutive win for the 4yo gelding who was having his first taste at stakes level.


Carrying the same colours as his Group I winning sire, Bons Away advances his record to 5 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 9 starts with earnings of $140,090. 

"He's a horse with a lot of confidence at the moment and has really got his tail up," Meech said.

"He would have let off a ripping sectional from the 500 to the 200 metres and then got a little bit tired, but he got a break on the second horse and was able to hold him."

"I was on the back of Damian Lane to the turn and was happy to miss the trouble. I think the wind is making it difficult for some horses today, playing with their balance.

"The turn of foot he showed today makes you think he might be able to get away with a nice race over the carnival - he travelled like a good horse all the way and he keeps winning."

Bred by Parador Park Thoroughbreds, Bons Away is the third winner from as many foals out of the Mossman mare Villa Albani who was a $2,000 purchase at the 2012 Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Her dam Vila Valencia is a sister to Maid For Me the dam of dual Group II winner and Group I placed Maid For Me (Sebring) and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Patou the dam of Group I Golden Slipper winner Polar Success (Success Express).

Villa Albani has a 2yo Street Boss (USA) filly named Street Icon and a yearling filly by Bon Hoffa. She was covered by Kuroshio last spring.

Bons Away becomes the third stakes winner for Bon Hoffa who stands at Bowness Stud for a fee of $5,500. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Promising New Winner for Black Caviar
The racing and bloodstock world were saddened earlier this year following  the passing of undefeated world champion sprinter Black Caviar and her memory was recalled at Wangaratta on Monday when her three year-old filly Persian Caviar made a winning debut.
Little Brose to Stand at Little Avondale
Arguably there is no better stallion making race in Australasia than Victoria's only Gr.1 event for two-year-olds, the Blue Diamond Stakes, and when you add the hottest bloodline in the Southern Hemisphere to the mix, you have an exciting stallion prospect. 
The Yearlings You Know You Want to See!
A flood of yearling images uploaded to the Magic Millions website ahead of the Christmas break have brought the first major Australian sale of 2025 to life in an online sense and for those who have not been visiting the farms in the lead up to the sale it’s a great chance to get a look at some of the superstar yearlings.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
A busy set of trials at Rosehill on Monday morning featured four heats for juveniles and the winners were all unraced youngsters by Tassort, Too Darn Hot (GB), Super Seth and Golden Slipper winner Farnan, while a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt showed he could possibly still get to the Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Brave Smash Winning Double Hong Kong
The Sha Tin meeting on Sunday produced some great  results for the Yarraman sires with Brave Smash (Jpn) posting a winning double and Hellbent siring a promising new three year-old winner.
Sires With Winners - Monday December 23
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hong Kong Summed Up - Dec 22 - Brave Smash Winning Double
A double for Brave Smash, including a new winner, also new winners for Hellbent and Kermadec, and three yearling catalogue updates amongst seven Australasian bred winners at Sha Tin on Sunday.
2024 Favourite Foal Winner
Firstly we’d like to thank everyone for taking an interest in our foal gallery and supporting their favourites, but there was always a sentimental top pick for many and the most famous foal in the country has now won his first race!
Vale, Don Goodwin
Don Goodwin, the breeder of 11-time Group One winner Verry Elleegant, has passed away, aged 86.
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 22
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.