Just
a few weeks into his life at Eliza Park Northwood in the spring of 2012, a
Snitzel colt lost his dam, Millrich.
From TBV News - That colt, was Redzel and five years on, after a rough beginning, nothing was
going to stop this orphan foal claiming victory on Saturday in the $10 million
Everest, the world's richest race on turf.
Bred by Lee Fleming Thoroughbreds, Redzel was Millrich's final foal and was
sold as a weanling through the 2013 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale at
Newmarket for $45,000. Buyers Marquee Stud before then sold him to Triple Crown
Syndications at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $120,000.
Former Eliza Park Stud Manager Kim Alderton, who now runs new operation, Shadow
Hill Thoroughbreds at Avenel, remembers Millrich and the "robust" Redzel
fondly.
"She was a super mare, and I was fortunate to have the pleasure to care for her
and her offspring over my eighteen years at Eliza Park. Days like yesterday
make all the hard work worthwhile," Alderton said.
"He was foaled by Christie Murphy, (now) our foaling manager here at Shadow
Hill, so we were both closely connected and just thrilled to see him win.
"He was such a burly foal. Some orphans are shy to go for a drink and difficult
to foster, but he was just so pushy, and straight in there for some milk. He
muscled his way onto his foster mare, Regal Arena, who could be difficult, but
he didn't give her a choice."
"He was always a good size foal, despite a tough start, and the way he was with
the mare, meant he was a forward foal."
And that attitude has certainly carried him in good stead into his incredible
racing career.
The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Redzel scored his fifth win in succession,
and his 10th from 20 starts. His earnings now exceed $7 million.
Trainer Peter Snowden indicated he is favouring keeping Redzel fresh for the
Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 11.
Note: A close and active Victorian breeding connection of Redzel is Rangal
Park's stallion Danerich. The multiple black-type producing sire is a
half-brother to the Everest victor.
TBV News