Suman
Hedge Bloodstock is delighted to announce the purchase of promising German
staying colt Schabau in a deal involving HFTB Racing Agency, Tried and True
Bloodstock and trainer Robert Hickmott.
Schabau, a 3yo son of former German Derby winner Pastorius has made his case as
an emerging staying 3yo in Germany winning his last two starts by a combined
total of 14 lengths.
"I'm thrilled to confirm the purchase of
our first European acquisition in Schabau," said Hedge.
"Schabau is a lightly raced 3yo trained
by leading German trainer Markus Klug and is a horse that looks like he has the
right profile to adjust to our racing pattern here in Australia and make a
lovely stayer."
Dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Robert Hickmott is delighted with the
acquisition.
"When Suman showed me the video of Schabau I was instantly drawn to the horse
and just had to have him," said Hickmott. "I have had good experience training
Northern Hemisphere bred horses and have a pretty good handle on the attributes
they need and from what I can see with Schabau he has the action, high cruising
speed, and turn of foot required to succeed in Australia, I'm rapped to be
training him."
Hedge feels the purchase of Schabau reflects the need to look outside of
Australia to source quality stayers.
"I think it's very apparent that in Australia we're great at producing
precocious 2yo's and high quality sprinters but it is just as clear that the
best staying bloodlines are sourced from Europe, with Germany becoming more and
more a factor," he said.
"We have seen horses like Protectionist
and Almandin come over and succeed at the highest level here and we are very
hopeful that Schabau can come to Australia and make a real impression on our
staying ranks."
Schabau will enter German quarantine in the next fortnight and is expected to
arrive in Australia in early October.
The overseas acquisition is expected to be the first of many for Suman Hedge
Bloodstock.
"We have a taste for it now and the interest from clients is so strong that we
will look to be much more active in this sector moving forward," said Hedge.