A Very Pretty Blue Hen

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 18
Not many broodmares have five foals to race and all of them are stakes horses, but that's the case for Encosta de Lago mare Pretty Penny, whose progressive five year-old son Dollar for Dollar claimed the Group III MRC Chandler Macleod Recruitment Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.



The handsome Tony McEvoy trained son of High Chaparral (IRE) has been in hot form this spring posting three successive wins in easier grade before coming into his first Black Type test.

Ridden forward from an inside draw by Jamie Kah, Dollar for Dollar (image Darryl Sherer)  travelled up on the pace and fought hard to the line to win the 1400 metre contest by a long neck.

"I've won a Group Three before, but that was unbelievable," said Kah, who has ridden Dollar for Dollar in all four of his past wins this preparation.

"I just love this horse. I love how much heart he has. He's probably got enough talent to win a race like this but he's got a heart to win a Group One."

Pretty PennyA winner of seven of his 12 starts with prizemoney in excess of $270,000, Dollar for Dollar was retained and syndicated privately by his breeder Bill Cockram, who retains a share in his ownership.

The 109th stakes-winner for the late great High Chaparral, he is the third stakes-winner for Pretty Penny, who is also the dam of Group II winner Sertorius(winner on this day of the Group II Zipping Classic in 2013), Group III winner Clifton Red and stakes-placed I Am Titanium and Fortune of War.

The Black Type quartet are her first five foals, so it's not surprising that when Pretty Penny was offered at the 2016 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale she fetched a 'pretty penny' with Colm Santry Bloodstock securing the mare for $570,000 on behalf of Dr Dennis and Claire O'Brien of Clairden Racing.

"She was in foal to Brazen Beau and we have a really lovely filly as a result of that mating that will be offered at Inglis Easter next year," said Colm Santry.

"Pretty Penny is a remarkable mare to produce five serious stakes horses as her first five foals, so this filly will be something exceptional when she goes through the ring next year."

Pretty Penny sadly lost a foal this spring by Vancouver, but has since been covered by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (USA).


Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
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.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
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.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
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.