June 4 – Queensland Derby aspirant Sirmione could not have been more impressive in careering away to win the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm last Saturday by three lengths and his dam World Guide (NZ) is in foal to young Yarraman based sire Foreplay.
A $300,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase from the draft of Murrulla Stud, the Bart Cummings trained Sirmione was a Listed winner last season at two and has hit top form at the right time with the Group One QTC Queensland Derby to be run this Saturday.
Sirmione is the third foal of the Defensive Play (USA) mare World Guide (NZ), a half-sister to Sunray, winner of the Group Three New Zealand St Leger and Rocking On, winner of the Listed Grafton Cup.
World Guide (NZ) was one of 108 mares covered by Foreplay in his debut season, the Murrulla Stud owned mare returning to Yarraman for the second year running after producing a filly by Magic Albert last spring.
Foreplay will stand this season at the same fee of $13,200 and breeders will doubtless be keen to support the stakes-winning son of Danehill (USA) given the overwhelming commercial success of his immediate family.
His dam Procrastinate was sold at the 2007 Inglis Australian Select Broodmare Sale for $660,000, while her yearling colt by Redoute’s Choice made $2million at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale knocked down to John Ferguson Bloodstock for Darley Australia.
Another close relation in Personify, Foreplay’s stakes-winning half-sister by Galileo (IRE), will go under the hammer at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on Tuesday and the three year-old filly is expected to prove popular as a blue chip broodmare prospect.