This week we have three exciting horses arriving at the Donnybrook quarantine centre in Victoria. San Remo – our first Frankel, Instant de Reve – who is already a winner for his owners and Finn McCool – a well-related son of the champion sire, Galileo.
We are so thrilled to have purchased our very first Frankel, San Remo. He is a good looking 3YO colt who has a striking resemblance to our stable favourite – Tom Melbourne. Funnily enough, he also possesses some of Tom’s old racing habits which have limited his full racing potential in the UK. For this very reason, he is an excellent candidate for Archie Alexander’s patient training methods. Archie has had great success recently with European imports like Lord Fandango who won the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes and 4th in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, in just his 2nd race preparation since arriving in Australia.
OTI has owned Instant de Reve in partnership with his trainer Corine Barbe since the start of 2017, with the plan of bringing him out to Australia at the end of his 4YO season. We were initially taken his similarities to our 2 x Group 1 winner – Gailo Chop. Both horses are rangy, athletic types with modest pedigrees but true talent. From Instant de Reve’s 17 starts, he has four wins and five placings, making him a very consistent performer.
Once released from quarantine he will head to Chris Waller’s stable. We’ve been most impressed with Chris’ dedication to his horses and professionalism with his owners. We do believe this horse will thrive under his care and we hope to see him competing in the major races of 2018.
Finn McCool is another striking son of Galileo, the 5th we add to the OTI stable which includes Kellstorm and Grey Lion. Just like Kellstorm, who is a full-brother to Order of St George, Finn McCool is very well related. He is a full-brother to Kingfisher, who was placed in both the Irish Derby and Ascot Gold Cup. Finn McCool arrives in Australia with some promising black-type placings under his belt. Again like Kellstorm, he comes as a lightly raced 3YO colt and will head to the master trainer, Darren Weir.
Stay-tuned to follow these horses careers in Australia.
