Stakes Double for Pierro

Tara Madgwick - Sunday October 14
Golden Slipper winning sire Pierro posted a stakes double at Randwick on Saturday with Black Type success for I Like it Easy and top class stallion Pierata, who returned to top form with a blazing win in the Group III ATC Sydney Stakes running faster time than they clocked in the Everest.

Pierata in full flightPrepared by Greg Hickman, Pierata was freshened up after finishing ninth in the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap over 1600 metres. Fitted with blinkers and dropped back to 1200 metres, Pierata was explosive on the heavy ground, bolting clear to win by two and three quarter lengths.

His time of 1.10.82 seconds was significantly faster than Redzel ran (1.12.03 seconds) in winning the $13million Everest in the next race.

Winning rider Tommy Berry felt he had the race won a long way from home.

"I knew I was going to win around the corner because he dipped quite badly just before the bend," he said.

"Usually when they do that and aren't handling it they drop the bit. He picked it straight up, got on with the job and made it look too easy for me."

Greg Hickman was philosophical about Pierata not gaining a slot in The Everest.

He said there had been discussions but no parties could reach an agreement.

"It's all to do with the contracts ... and whether it suits you," Hickman said.

"The main thing is the horse has got back and he's run really well."

A $160,000 Magic Millions purchase for Greg Hickman from the Kitchwin Hills draft, Pierata runs for a big syndicate of some 20 owners and has the imposing record of six wins and five placings from 14 starts with prizemoney in excess of $2.6million.

Pierata was bred by Hobartville Stud and is a half-brother to Group III winning juvenile Ashokan.He is the fourth winner from Group III winning Flying Spur mare November Flight, who has a yearling colt by Rubick and will foal again this spring to Pierata's sire Pierro.

The reigning Champion Australian Second Season Sire, Golden Slipper winner Pierro has shown himself to be a remarkable source of quality performers, not just classic horses like his Derby hero Levendi and Oaks queen Pinot, but also a genuinely top class sprinter miler like Pierata.




Advertisment
More Reading...
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Nicks That Click – One of the Best
Two of Australia’s biggest farms in Arrowfield and Coolmore have very different stallion rosters, but in the instance of this nick they have created a match made in heaven.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
$900,000 Pierro Colt Bred on Magic Cross Leads the Way
Waikato bloodstock agent Garry Carvell went home with the horse he wanted on the first day of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
$550,000 Pierro Filly Brings Joy to Queenslanders
Coolmore’s Golden Slipper winner Pierro is currently the leading sire in the country by earnings and stakes-winners, but has been somewhat flying under the radar at Magic Millions with a filly from Phoenix Park selling on Friday for $550,000.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Pierro’s $1 Million Son Dragon Leap Stakes His Claim for the NZ Derby
Talented three-year-old Dragon Leap (Pierro) stamped his Derby credentials with his winning effort in the Group II Jamieson Park Auckland Guineas (1600m) at Ellerslie on Wednesday.