High Hopes for Blueblood

1 May 2011

Star Continues To Shine

Powerful three-year-old Aldebaran Star has made an encouraging start to his career and the strapping chestnut added another notch to his belt at Woodville. He was comfortably downed his Rating 70 sprint rivals to take his record to two wins and five placings from eight appearances.

He is trained at Awapuni by Trina Marshall whose partner Jonathon Riddell not only rode Aldebaran Star but also purchased him at the 2009 Festival Sale at Karaka after the gelding had originally been sold through WS’s weanling draft the previous year for $14,000. A half-brother to the stakes winner Tootsie (Pins), he is out of the O’Reilly mare Hyades who is a half-sister to the Listed winner La Rose Noir and the Centaine mare is in turn the dam of Espurante (Listed AJC Bell Handicap).

Waikato Stud reveals stallion fees for 2026

From proven producers to exciting young sires on the rise, Waikato Stud’s 2026 roster offers breeders proven performance, emerging momentum and genuine depth across the board through Savabeel, his sire son Noverre, Ardrossan, Ocean Park, Banquo and the exciting new recruit in the unbeaten Group 1-winning juvenile, Return To Conquer.

6 April 2026

Mr Bombasa gives Banquo another winner

Three-year-old colt Mr Bombasa provided another winner this season for Banquo, who is having a watershed season with a Group 3 winner and performer also turning heads.