Queensland based Telemon Thoroughbreds have enjoyed resounding success with Darley owned Sidestep, who will be crowned Champion Australian First Season Sire for 2019 and that association is set to flourish with the addition of another Darley owned stallion to their roster this spring in Group I winning sprinter Jungle Cat (GB).
The fastest son of proven Group I sire Iffraaj, Jungle Cat was precocious enough to win at two and placed in four Group II events as a juvenile before training on to greater success as an older horse.
It would be fair to say he improved in every season of racing and closed out his career as a six year-old with career highlight Group I wins in the MRC Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Meydan Al Quoz Sprint (1200m).
"He's a model of consistency at the top level and a straightforward horse to train, good minded and very sound," said his trainer Charlie Appleby.
His career as a racehorse has many parallels with record breaking first crop sensation Spirit of Boom, who was also a stakes performed juvenile before training to achieve career highlight Group I wins as a six year-old.
Temperament, conformation and constitution are vital ingredients in a successful racehorse and they are demonstrated at the highest level in horses such as Spirit of Boom and Jungle Cat.
Considering his sire Iffraaj was responsible for 28 juvenile winners last year along with the similarities he has with Queensland's leading sire Spirit of Boom, breeders should be encouraged by his potential to get some early runners.
"We are delighted and humbled to be entrusted with such a high calibre young stallion. He is a genuinely elite, multiple Group 1-winning sprinter with a pedigree which is particularly enticing given the prevailing genetics of our mare population," said Telemon Thoroughbreds owner, Dan Fletcher.
Completely free of Danehill blood, Jungle Cat is by a highly successful sire in Iffraaj, who has sired Southern Hemisphere Group I winners Turn Me Loose, Gingernuts and Jon Snow and is the sire of the dam of six-time Group I winner Melody Belle.
Iffraaj has shown a good affinity with Danehill blood with his Group I winners Turn Me Loose and Chriselliam bred this way as well as multiple Group II winner Fix, while Melody Belle is by a son of Danehill in Commands.
"We have been monitoring Jungle Cat as a potential stallion since his win in Group I Al Quoz Sprint. Jungle Cat's win there generated a rating that stood alongside the absolute elite Australian sprinters," said Telemon Thoroughbreds General Manager, Joe Heather.
"Jungle Cat's next start was in Australia where he gave them all weight and a beating in the Group I Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield. To get the attention of our breeders, it was so important he came here and not only showed his quality, but the fact he is made for our conditions. To be a Group I winner on Australian soil is a huge positive."
Priced at $13,200 (inc GST), Jungle Cat will stand alongside Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi's sire Sidestep, who has had a moderate increase this year off the back of his overwhelming success and will stand at $22,000 (inc GST).
Not only is Sidestep the leading first crop sire by earnings, he is also third on the overall Australian 2YO Sires List behind only I Am Invincible and Snitzel.
"Darley and Telemon already have a young but successful relationship with Golden Slipper winning sire Sidestep. We are delighted to be giving Queensland breeders access to another top stallion prospect in Jungle Cat. His Australian form is easy to relate to and he represents a great sire line," said Alastair Pulford, Head of Sales at Darley.
Enquiries on Jungle Cat can be directed to Joe Heather on 0413 712 465 or joe@telemonstud.com.au
For more information on Telemon Thoroughbreds visit www.telemonstud.com.au
"Darley and Telemon already have a young but successful relationship with Golden Slipper winning sire Sidestep. We are delighted to be giving Queensland breeders access to another top stallion prospect in Jungle Cat. His Australian form is easy to relate to and he represents a great sire line," said Alastair Pulford, Head of Sales at Darley.
Enquiries on Jungle Cat can be directed to Joe Heather on 0413 712 465 or joe@telemonstud.com.au
For more information on Telemon Thoroughbreds visit www.telemonstud.com.au