Fortuna’s November Newsletter is here

FORTUNA NEWSLETTER –
22 November 2014

• READY TO RUN SALES UPDATE

• Fortuna 2yo Filly WINDBORNE puts in dominant display when taking out the (Listed) Murdoch Newell Stakes at Avondale

Ready To Run Sales Update

Lot 111 – 2yo Colt by POSTPONED out of PROMISSORY (by ZABEEL) – $6200 per 5% share

Lot 194 – 2yo Colt by STRATUM out of THE PARTY STAND (by THORN PARK) – $7,200 per 5% share

The 2014 Ready To Run Sale went very nicely for Fortuna. We had a plan to buy two horses, one for Singapore and one for New Zealand, although Plan A, which was to buy a Sprinting type for Singapore and a staying type for NZ soon reverted to Plan B as we had the opportunity to secure an outstanding staying type by POSTPONED out of a ZABEEL Mare (Lot 111) which David Ellis had categorised as an ” A” (only one of three horses in the sale that he gave an A to) and which Mark Walker had highlighted from watching the Breeze Up video clips as a horse with a lovely galloping action. We were prepared to pay a lot more for him than we did, so it was a great deal for us.

Later in the day, Lot 194, the STRATUM – THE PARTY STAND Colt came up for sale; we were aware that his half sister (by Foxwedge) had made A$320k at a sale in Australia, so were not confident that we could secure him for our budget, but sometimes you get lucky and he was knocked down to us just below budget.

The pictures above give a very interesting contrast don’t they – with Lot 111 being a typical staying type with his strength in the hind quarters and a lot of scope to grow and develop about him, while Lot 194 is a typical Sprinting type, very strong through the neck and shoulder.

So here are some more complete details on each horse.

Lot 111 POSTPONED – PROMISSORY (by ZABEEL)

POSTPONED needs no introduction as a Sire of course; while not in the top echelon of Stallions, he has a reputation for producing tough, hardy types who handle all conditions – Postman’s Daughter comes very much to mind as an example of that. On the Dam side, well what can we say other than ZABEEL has proven to be a marvellous Sire of Broodmares and this Colt throws very much to the ZABEEL factor with his physical looks. PROMISSORY is a half sister to the dam of MISS MOSSMAN who won the 2014 Group One NZ Oaks at Trentham this year. Pedigree aside, this Colt put in a brilliant Breeze Up and you can view that by Clicking HERE. Firstly the time at 10.6 was very quick and secondly, he has a lovely low to the ground galloping action. As indicated above, Mark Walker had marked this Lot down as one of his four top picks based on the Breeze Ups.

So, why Singapore for this horse? Well, apart from the wonderful prize money in Singapore on offer, staying types are rather thin on the ground and horses bred along stout Kiwi bloodlines can and do excel in Singapore; this year the two best horses is Singapore have been War Affair (O’Reilly) and Spalato (Elusive City) and the characteristic of both of those horses have been an ability to run a trip but also have a turn of foot. So, Mark Walker and I aim to find horses to race in Singapore that are likely contenders for races like the Singapore Derby (S$1.15m) run over 2000 metres for 4yo’s and the Singapore Gold Cup, a Handicap run over 2200 metres. We ran 2nd in the Gold Cup with Tell A Tale in 2010 and it is a wonderful race to target. We think this powerful staying type with the very stout pedigree that he possesses, but also blessed with a nice turn of foot as seen in the Breeze Ups, will be ideal for Singapore.

Shares in this Colt are available at $12,400 per 10%, $6,200 per 5% and $3,100 per 2.5% with monthly payments of $320 per 10%, 160 per 5% and $80 per 2.5% commencing 1st February 2014. The initial costs include the cost of the horse, Sales and Promoters Fees, Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2016, all costs of shipping the horse to Singapore and over $13k of working capital. Incidentally, when this horse has his first start in Singapore, he will be racing for S$75,000 of prize money (one S$ is almost identical to one NZ$).

Our plans for this horse are to give him a two month paddock spell, geld him during that time and then bring him into work around the end of January, build him up to trial fitness, give him two trials during April and May and then he should be ready to travel to Singapore to be prepared for his 3yo season there.

Lot 194 STRATUM-THE PARTY STAND (by THORN PARK)

This is a a Colt with a beautiful pedigree. By STRATUM who won a Golden Slipper and has Sired a Golden Slipper winner (Crystal Lilly) out of the very good race mare THE PARTY STAND, who won six times from just seventeen starts including the New Zealand Stakes (Group One) at Ellerslie and ran 4th in the Easter Handicap (Group One), also at Ellerslie. Interestingly enough, the half sister to this Colt (by Foxwedge) sold for A$320k when put through the ring.

Physically, this is an outstanding Colt, powerful, short coupled, he looks like a real “get up and go” type. His galloping action as demonstrated in his Breeze Up, is superb. Click HERE to view that Breeze Up.

Shares in this Colt are available at $14,400 per 10%, $7,200 per 5% and $3,600 per 2.5% with monthly payments of $320 per 10%, 160 per 5% and $80 per 2.5% commencing 1st February 2014. The initial costs include the cost of the horse, GST, Sales and Promoters Fees, Insurance Premium through to 31st January 2016 and over $13k of working capital.

We sent the STRATUM Colt straight to Matamata after the sales where he is having a few quiet days of walking and trotting and from Monday of next week, he commences a fresh preparation under the watchful eye of Jason Bridgman; he will be aimed to trial late January/early February and all going well, will be set to make his racing debut late summer/early Autumn; he will certainly make a lovely Autumn 2yo. He will remain a Colt and provided he behaves himself will stay like that.

SUMMARY

Two lovely Colts to choose from, one a Stayer, on a a Sprinter, one going to Singapore, the other to race in NZ. Both horses were fully vetted by our very experienced Equine Vet, Dr Douglas Black and were passed with no issues.

I expect both horses to sell quickly, so if you have interest in either or both, please let me know soonest.

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from Fortuna Director, John Galvin (click HERE) or calling John (+64) 21 921 460.

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice established under The (New Zealand) Securities Act (Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2002

WINDBORNE emphatic in Listed Event at Avondale.

The money was hot for 2yo Filly, WINDBORNE, at Avondale today, closing at $2.20 on the Tote, but her effort justified punters’ optimism. Drawing 6 at the barrier, she jumped well, but then was crossed by two horses from outside barriers, causing the daughter of DARCI BRAHMA to over-race for about 100 metres. However rider Matt Cameron eased out of the speed duel and let his mount come back under him and relax. Turning for home WINDBORNE, as she did at Ellerslie with her debut win, took a few strides to balance up and then, with an electrifying turn of foot, sprinted away from her rivals, clear at the line by one and a half lengths. Click HERE to see the race replay.

A full sister to the 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM, who just one week ago ran 2nd in the Group One NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas, WINDBORNE is nominated for the Karaka Million event to be run at Ellerslie 25th January and will probably head to Ellerslie to tackle the Group Three Eclipse Stakes over 1200 metres on New Years Day as a final lead up race to the Karaka Million.

WINDBORNE (Darci Brahma-Sweet Dreams Baby) was bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton Ellis and offered at the 2014 Karaka Select Sale, where she was acquired by Fortuna Syndications Director, John Galvin for $100,000 and syndicated to an ownership group of 29 individuals.

“I am so happy for the Syndicate Members,” said John Galvin, “several are first timers and quite a few of them are also Members of the DARCI’S DREAM Syndicate, so they have had a great week in racing.”