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...
Estijaab's Daughter Ejaabiyah Second at Newbury
After hacking up by six lengths at her only start at two, Ejaabiyah, a daughter of Frankel and the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, fell two and a quarter lengths short of catching Godolphin's exciting Shamardal filly Diamond Rain in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes (10f) at Newbury on Saturday.
Seize The Grey and D Wayne Lukas Triumph in Preakness Stakes
There will be no Triple Crown winner this year after Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan played second fiddle to Seize the Grey in the 149th Preakness Stakes at a muddy Pimlico Race Course and credited 88-year-old legend D Wayne Lukas with his seventh winner of the race, 44-years after his first with Codex.
New Era for Dawn and Peter Williams
It will be the dawn of a new era for Byerley Park trainers Peter and Dawn Williams, as they get set to enter into the next stage of life after announcing their retirement from racing.
More Group Success for Kiwi Bred Western Empire
The resurgence of a former superstar of Perth racing continued when Western Empire lived up to his $1.85 favouritism in Saturday’s Gr.3 Furphy Belmont Sprint (1400m).
Ciaron Maher Cheers On Melbourne Cup Hopeful at Newbury
The Melbourne Cup remains in play for Middle Earth and his new part owner, Ciaron Maher, after making a successful 2024 bow in the Group III Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
One to Watch – Sunshine Coast
A $50,000 juvenile event over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday drew a very competitive big field of 14 and the dominant winner was a son of Doncaster winner Brutal.
Stakes Filly for Golden Slipper Winner Estijaab
A $1.7million Inglis Easter purchase for Emirates Park, Snitzel filly Estijaab won the 2018 Golden Slipper for Emirates Park before embarking on a stud career in the Northern Hemisphere and her first born Frankel filly Ejaabiyah gained Black Type on Saturday in the UK when finishing a good second in the Listed Newbury Fillies Trial Stakes (1m2f)
Thoroughbreds are Go Returns to Sky on Monday Night
Caroline Searcy’s informative and entertaining thoroughbred re-homing television program Thoroughbreds Are Go (TAG) returns for Series 1 in 2024 this Monday night May 20.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 18
Here is the full list of 115 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Pedigree Watch – UK – Another G1 Upset
Renowned UK farm Cheveley Park Stud were expected to win the Group I Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (1m) at Newbury overnight with a homebred and they did, but not with the one punters were thinking.