O’Reilly Mare Trumps Group Two Rivals

26 March 2012

Graham Richardson’s decision to let the O’Reilly mare Villifye take her chance in Saturday’s Gr2 Japan Trophy proved a wise move. The four-year-old dispelled any doubts about her ability to cope with the rain-affected going with a strong performance to claim another prestige event for her WS-based sire.

“I thought twice about running, but it was a Group Two race and hermain target is the Group One at Te Aroha and it slotted in well,” the Matamata trainer said. “It’s fantastic for the owners (Oxford Syndicate No.2) and she’s a half-sister to a Group One winner so she’s worth a lot of money.”

Villifiye is out of Entrepreneur mare Jacilo, whose daughter My Keepsake won the Queensland Oaks two years ago and also placed in the Queensland Derby.

Richardson is also confident his four-year-old will be even better when she is stepped out over more ground. “She’s going to be better at a mile and a-quarter (2000m),” he said.

WS-breds shine at the Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival

Last weekend saw many retired racehorses and their careers compete in various disciplines, and one star who shone brightly was Eden Pearson’s 10-year-old ott horse, Tango. Once racing as Does It (Pins ex Just Be Cos), Tango raced 45 times, winning on five occasions and accumulating prizemoney of $275,550 before retiring in June 2024.

13 September 2026

David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened wins at Sha Tin

With Hong Kong’s new season just two weeks in, it wasn’t long before the progeny of Ardrossan stepped into the winners’ circle and at the second Sha Tin race meeting of the season, it was David Hayes’ Absolute Awakened who won by a length over 1400m.