Darling View Thoroughbreds director Clive Atwell would have been well pleased when Geisel Park announced Winning Rupert had been signed to stand in Western Australia.
Atwell is based at Mundijong and initially supported Winning Rupert in 2018 when he was covering a second book in the Eastern States at a $16,500 (inc GST) service fee. His mare Dalkeith (Encosta de Lago) subsequently foaled a chestnut colt that sold for $140,000 through Western Breeders Alliance at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions.
It was a profitable mark-up for Atwell and, as a vendor, he’s also pleased for the buyer because the horse can pay his way and then some racing as Rupert’s Empire.
Trainer Simon Miller was the buyer in question and he was surrounded by a happy group of winning owners (Photo / Western Racepix) following the Glenroy Chaff Hcp (1000m) at Ascot on Saturday.
“He was enormous first-up last month but then I made a wrong move and backed him up instead of waiting three-weeks,” Miller admitted.
“He’s a totally different horse today and it was a really good win. I told Chris (Parnham) if he reproduced that fresh run he will be all over them.
“He can be a menace in the morning but he’s versatile and has shown enough promise to suggest he can be a Saturday horse. I boomed him up to the owners early on so it’s good to see him delivering.”
Rupert’s Empire was given time to mature and was only beaten a neck on debut as a spring 3yo at Pinjarra. He came back for another short prep in the autumn for a Pinjarra win and added another in town at Belmont later in the season.
Now an autumn 4yo with just 11 starts under the belt, he’s earned $120,325 including Westspeed Bonuses of $19,850.
Atwell had purchased Dalkeith from Coolmore Stud for $60,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She was unraced and her dam La Boisselle (Danehill) was a half-sister to the Randwick Group 1 winners Assertive Lad (AJC Sires’ Produce Stakes) and Assertive Lass (AJC Flight Stakes).
Dalkeith has had four yearlings sell for a total of $580,000 through WBA drafts in Perth and Attunga Stud in Sydney and the Gold Coast. She’s in foal to Darling View stallion Splintex and Atwell is facing a dilemma for a sire this year. Will Dalkeith stay home at Mundijong or be floated south to Geisel Park in Myalup where Winning Rupert awaits six years and a continent removed from their first engagement?
