Kiwi Bred Young Werther Back in Winning Form

Media Release - Saturday July 15

Multiple Group One performer Young Werther notched the second victory of his career when prevailing in a close finish at Flemington on Saturday over 2000m for trainer Danny O’Brien under a well-timed Billy Egan ride as he claimed runner-up Milford on the line.

The son of Tavistock won on debut over 1500m at Geelong in September 2020, but despite a slew of honest performances had failed to weigh-in first until start 23.

Billy Egan drives Young Werther to a narrow victory at Flemington on Saturday Photo: Bruno Cannatelli

Group One placed in both the VRC Derby (2500m) and Australian Derby (2400m), Young Werther has also been placed in the past two editions of the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and has performed well in all of his Flemington starts over 2000m.

Advertisement

A recent Queensland campaign seemed to agree with Young Werther, who ran well when fourth in the Gr.3 Lord Mayors Cup (1800m) and third behind Luncies in the Gr.3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m).

“It is great for the owners. They have been very patient with this horse. He has been in and around the mark in some really big races and he has promised us the world but has finally delivered today,” stable representative Jack Howard said.

“He really enjoyed his time in Queensland. He was the best behaved horse and thought he was the King of the Castle up there.

“When he hoped off the truck when he got back he was jumping out of his skin and we just thought we’d give him a few quiet days and see how he was going.

“He worked here at Flemington on Tuesday and couldn’t have worked any better but we were always a bit cautious given his winning strike-rate.

“We left the instructions up to Billy here today and he might be the lucky charm.”

The O’Brien stable have the luxury of multiple venues which assist in keeping the older middle distance horses fresh and happy.

A five-year-old, Young Werther has now won two of his 23 starts and placed on a further eight occasions, banking more than A$1.3 million in prizemoney.

“We will just get him back home, keep him ticking over and obviously we have got Barwon Heads where we can take him down and give him a bit of quiet time at the beach,” Howard said.

“We will leave it up to Dan as to where he goes next but we have got the second win now so the challenge is to find the third and hopefully not let it take as long.”

Young Werther was purchased out of Cambridge Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft by O’Brien, in partnership with Aquis Farm, for $140,000.

Out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare Romantic Time, Young Werther is a half-brother to stakes-placed Romantic Lady and three-time winner Villaden. – NZ Racing Desk

 

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Vrc Member Clint Jellis Trophy 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:01.35
1
Young Werther
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Romantic Time (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: W Egan 59
2
0.1
Milford
- 5g Savabeel (AUS) x Etiquette (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: W F Pinn 57
NZB Ready To Run Sale $640,000
Seller: Ohukia Lodge Ltd
Buyer: Mr DC Ellis
3
0.4
Rolls
- 6g Anacheeva (AUS) x Explobo (AUS) (Success Express (USA))
Tnr: Maddie Raymond Rdr: Harry Grace 55
4
1.4
Lord Ardmore
- 5g Reliable Man (GB) x Miss Outshine (NZ) (Darci Brahma (NZ))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Jye McNeil 57
5
1.9
Floating Artist
- 7g Nathaniel (IRE) x Miss Kenton (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Luke Campbell 58
6
2.1
D'aguilar
- 7g High Chaparral (IRE) x Spina Rosa (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: Madison Lloyd 53.5
7
4.3
Bermadez
- 6g Tavistock (NZ) x Pikea (AUS) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Declan Bates 54
8
4.7
Cherry Tortoni
- 5g Night Of Thunder (IRE) x Tortoni (AUS) (Strategic (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56.5
9
4.8
Flash Feeling
- 4h Iffraaj (GB) x Shanzam (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: J D Sadler Rdr: Matthew Cartwright 52.5
10
5.2
Deepstrike
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Obey (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Celine Gaudray 53
11
5.3
Normandy Bridge
- 5g Le Havre (IRE) x Aiglonne (USA) (Silver Hawk (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: H Coffey 58.5
12
5.4
Fifth Position
- 7g Dark Angel (IRE) x Ballet Move (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: Beau Mertens 54
13
7.9
Maserartie Bay
- 6g Artie Schiller (USA) x Navica (AUS) (Snowland (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ms L J Meech 55.5
14
8.0
Prix De Turn
- 4g Turn Me Loose (NZ) x Prix Du Sang (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Brown Rdr: C Newitt 54.5
More Reading...
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Kiwi Bred Young Werther Back in Winning Form
Multiple Group One performer Young Werther has relished racing in lesser-grade, with the Danny O’Brien-trained son of Tavistock lumping 61.5kgs to score in the Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Handicap (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.