Lope De Vega's Spanish Whisper Strikes in Let's Elope

Mark Smith - Sunday September 15

Seymour Bloodstock's Spanish Whisper has the race performance and pedigree to grace any broodmare paddock in the land but that has been put on hold as she strives for that elusive Group 1 victory.

The 4yo daughter of the excellent Lope de Vega (IRE) added Saturday's Group II Let's Elope Stakes at Flemington to previous Group II wins in the VRC Kewney Stakes and MataRC Breeders Stakes.

Settled just off the pace by Mark Zahra, Spanish Whisper struck the front inside the 200 metres to defeat Miss Siska (So You Think) by a half-length with Fidelia (Not A Single Doubt) finishing strongly along the rail to finish a nose back in third. (images Grant Courtney)


Spanish Whisper advances her record to 4 wins, 4 seconds and 1 from 14 starts with earnings of $423,502.

"She was placed beautifully by Mark Zahra in a good rhythm and she gave a good strong kick," Spanish Whisper's co-trainer Tom Dabernig said.

"Full credit to Mark Pilkington and Darren Thomas who is here today. "She was purchased in New Zealand and is really doing the job and she is definitely more mature this prep and more settled and hopefully she will go on into the spring and have a good campaign."

The Group 1 Toorak Handicap and Empire Rose Stakes are long term goals but the Group II Blazer Stakes is likely to be her next start.

Spanish Whisper crossed the Tasman to the Lindsay Park stable off the back of a third-place finish in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes at Ellerslie.

Bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington acquired a controlling interest in Spanish Whisper for client, Darren Thomas' Seymour Bloodstock following negotiations with her breeder and part-owner, Daniel Nakhle who retained an interest along with his father Elias and Darren Brady who were all involved in the breeding of the 4yo mare.

She is the best of three winners from as many to race out of the unraced Encosta de Lago mare Cutting Remark who is a sister to Glowlamp who never earned a stakes win despite placing nine times at stakes level including the Group 1 AJC Champagne Stakes and Group 1 One Thousand Guineas.

A half-sister to the Group III Hobart Cup winner Offenbach (Danehill), Cutting Remark hails from the family of the champion Rock Of Gibraltar.

Purchased by New Zealand Bloodstock for $22,000 from the 2014 Patinack Farm dispersal, Cutting Remark has a yearling filly foal by Super Easy and was covered by Savabeel last spring.

Advertisment
More Reading...
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.
Lope De Vega's Phoenix Of Spain Romps in Irish 2000 Guineas
Australian breeders would love another chance with Shamardal (IRE) and his son Lope De Vega (IRE).
Qatar Bloodstock's Endless Drama Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Fireworks were expected at Te Rapa on Saturday as several of last season’s equine stars kicked off their new spring campaigns in the Group II US Navy Flag Foxbridge Plate (1200m) and it was recent Group I  Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) placegetter Endless Drama who delivered with a stunning victory.
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.
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.
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.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
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.
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.
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.