Yarradale Stud’s successful start with its maiden winners this season continued with Fennec Storm (Pinjarra) on Wednesday and Artie’s Eclipse (Bunbury) on Thursday.
Fennec Storm (4g Rommel – Metallic Storm by Metal Storm) had been close to a breakthrough more than once at Northam this prep and he clicked into gear following the shorter trip to Pinjarra. Given time to settle by Clint Johnston-Porter, he powered home to win running away from the favourite Long Laugh (Long Leaf) in the GJD Security Maiden (1200m).
“He’s been on the pace in the last two at Northam and I didn’t want to lead today,” CJP said. “I thought I had messed it up when we were three-back on the fence but the opportunity came to pop off the fence around the bend and he just did the rest.
“He won well and has the scope to improve again.”
Fennec Storm is prepared at Karnup by Robert Gulberti who is in Broome on a working holiday winning with stablemates Karsavina (Mahuta), Fire the Guard (Safeguard) and What’s The Point (Bull Point).
Fennec Storm (green cap) wins the GJD Security Maiden (1200m) Photo: Western Racepix
Yarradale bred and sold Fennec Storm for $40,000 at the 2024 Perth Magic Millions. He‘s a half-brother to black-type mare Gunmetal Grey (Bradbury’s Luck) who won the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) in 2023. Their dam Metallic Storm won three black-type sprints including the LR Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) in 2005.
Artie’s Eclipse (4m Flying Artie – Saturia by War Chant) also came from well back to defeat Bubbles In Rio (I’m All The Talk) after they staged a late duel to the line in the Gommes Shoes Maiden (1000m) on Thursday.
She was a bargain out of the Yarradale consignment to the 2024 Perth Magic Millions Winter Yearling Sale when knocked down to a Michael Phillips-managed syndicate for $7,500. Trainer David Catarino is also a part-owner and his daughter Ava was the winning pilot at Bunbury.
Artie’s Eclipse is a half-sister to recent Belmont winner Last Stylebender (Harry Angel) and their dam Saturia was also a Belmont winner with a pedigree going back to Group 1 winners Rocket Racer (Perth Cup), Starzaan (AJC Oaks) and Lotteria (AJC Flight Stakes).
Buderim had doubled up for Yarradale at Pinjarra on Wednesday representing resident stallion Gingerbread Man in the Western Racepix Hcp (1400m). The Brandon Fiore-trained galloper led at every call for Bellbridge Park owner-breeders Michael and Siobhan Campbell who have enjoyed enormous success with the family for generations.
Gingerbread Man sired Buderim from Beersheba Belle (Charge Forward) and, apart from the Campbells, the family has generated Group 1 winners Rogan Josh (VRC Melbourne Cup) and Machine Gun Tom (WATC Railway Stakes) for south-west breeder Tom Forrest and his son Marcus.
This week’s Yarradale treble follows the brilliant maiden victory by The Rocket at Belmont on August 5. The lightly-raced 4yo by Toronado (Ire) was bred by Yarradale and Dawson Stud in partnership and he has been nominated for races next week at Belmont (Wednesday) and Pinjarra (Thursday).
Gingerbread Man (Shamardal) stands alongside Shooting To Win (Northern Meteor) at Yarradale and they are both priced at $5,500 (inc GST) service fees this season. For all enquiries contact Davy Hanratty on 0429 336 904.
