Sydney, November 28 – Golden Slipper winner Catbird has been enjoying a rush of success in the last few weeks, adding two metropolitan winners to his resume in Warwick Farm winner Gretchenella and Wings of Seraph, who landed a Class Six event at Eagle Farm last Saturday.
The Bart Cummings trained Gretchenella has been long overdue to win a race, but finally put it all together on Tuesday to cast off maiden status with a length victory over 1600 metres.
A $150,000 purchase from the 2004 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Gretchenella is from the Nassipour (USA) mare Kim Sayang, a full sister to Group One winning stayer Shiva’s Revenge, so she may yet strike her best form over distances even longer than her maiden success.
Catbird was the leading third crop sire for the 2005/2006 season by individual winners, his 94 winners placing him two ahead of Commands with 92 and Redoute’s Choice with 89 (source Arion Pedigrees).
He is already well on his way this year with some 38 winners including stakes-winners Cateclipse and Catechuchu.
Catbird yearlings will be much in demand at the major summer sales with 31 of his stock catalogued for Magic Millions (January 11 – 19) over all sessions and a further 15 entered for the 2007 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (10 – 12 February).
Yarraman Park will offer half a dozen superb yearlings by Catbird in the select first four sessions at the Gold Coast: a full brother to Group Two winner Diego Garcia; the first foal (colt) of stakes-winning mare Amphritite; a half-brother to stakes-winner Stormcat Academy; a filly from stakes-winner Eyes to Spy; a full sister to Group Two placed Star Cat; and a filly from Group Two placed Lady Lexus.