Pierro Stakes-Winner for Waratah Thoroughbreds

Tara Madgwick - Saturday June 2
A homebred for Waratah Thoroughbreds, two year-old Pierro gelding Commander cast off maiden status with a resounding win in the Listed BRC The Phoenix Stakes at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Trained by John Thompson, he was sixth on debut to boom colt The Autumn sun on debut at Randwick on ANZAC Day before finishing a close second at Warwick Farm over 1400 metres on May 19.

PierroStepped up in distance to 1600 metres for his first attempt at Black Type, Commander raced up on the pace for Dean Yendall and powered away to win by two lengths.

Commander is among entries for the Group I BRC JJ Atkins Stakes next Saturday, but John Thompson was not ready to commit the promising gelding to a start and will discuss the option this week with his owner Paul Fudge of Waratah Thoroughbreds..

"He is in the race and he showed today that 1600m is no problem. He likes to get his toe in the ground on wet tracks so that's a plus as well," Thompson said.

"I think he will eventually get at least 2000 metres."

Commander is the second foal and second winner for stakes-placed More Than Ready (USA) mare Ephemera, that was bought by Waratah Thoroughbreds from the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2011 for $525,000.

Ephemera is a half-sister to Group II winner Running Tall from a US family that features Group I winner and Champion US 2YO Midshipman and Frosted (USA), who is shuttling to Darley Victoria.

Waratah Thoroughbreds parted company with Ephemera this year, selling her for $330,000 at the Inglis Chairman's Sale to BBA Ireland.

Commander is the ninth stakes-winner for Golden Slipper winner Pierro, who is on track to add the Champion Australian Second Season Sire title to his Champion First Season Sire title won last year.

The champion son of Lonhro stands at Coolmore at a fee of $88,000.


Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.