A
half-brother to Oh Susanna, the best three year-old in South Africa last season,
this Exceed and Excel colt was an obvious pick as a ‘One to Watch’ following
his brilliant return at Hawkesbury on Thursday after a spell.
The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Signore Fox showed glimmers of ability in
his initial campaign but ultimately went to the paddock with just one modest second
placing from four starts.
Primed for his comeback with two recent trials and ridden by James McDonald,
Signore Fox was more committed to the cause this time and ran clear of his
rivals to win the 1300 metre maiden by three and a quarter lengths as a short
priced favourite.
A $300,000 Inglis Easter purchase from the Coolmore draft for Snowden Racing,
Signore Fox is a half-brother to triple Group I winner Oh Susanna and Group II
placed Indiano Jones being the fourth winner from US Group II winner Sharp
Susan (USA).
Sharp Susan was offered at the 2012 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale by
Tyreel Stud where she attracted plenty of global attention with Badgers
Bloodstock securing the prized mare for $1,050,000.
Purchased on behalf of South African based Drakenstein Stud, Sharp Susan has
been at stud in Australia at Coolmore since then, but her offspring have been sent
to South Africa until Signore Fox was kept in Australia and offered for sale.
Her next foal is two year-old Fastnet Rock filly Fast Susan, who remains in
Australia while Sharp Susan went to the Northern Hemisphere in 2016.