The Mitchell family of Yarraman Park Stud are delighted to announce top class colt Hinchinbrook, who was foaled and raised at the farm, will be returning to embark on a stud career following his aborted Royal Ascot campaign in the UK.
A half-brother by leading sire Fastnet Rock to Group I winning sire Snitzel, Hinchinbrook was to have contested the Group I Golden Jubilee Stakes, for which he had been prepared specifically by champion trainer Peter Moody.
“It’s very disappointing for him to travel all that way and get so close, but these things happen and as much as it’s a tragedy that he will not get the opportunity to win over there, he’s still an outstanding stallion prospect with a long stud career ahead of him,” said Arthur Mitchell.
As the seventh and final foal from top class producer Snippets’ Lass, Hinchinbrook was always destined to be special, so he was retained by his breeder Francois Naude.
Previous foals from the stakes-winning daughter of Snippets were all offered for sale with spectacular results selling for up to $1.4 million in the sale ring.
On the track they proved just as successful, her offspring including Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel, stakes-winner Viennese and stakes-placed Wiener, whose first foal, a filly by Redoute’s Choice made $900,000 at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
“Snippets’ Lass was a remarkable producer and we always suspected she may have saved the best for last in Hinchinbrook,” Mitchell recalled.
Sent to the stables of Gerald Ryan, who prepared his half-brother Snitzel, Hinchinbrook quickly showed ability and made a winning debut in the Listed AJC Canonbury Stakes, before following up with a sizzling victory in the Group III AJC Skyline Stakes.
Clocking a brilliant 1:08.87 for the 1200 metres at Randwick, Hinchinbrook’s Skyline Stakes win stamped him as a genuine Golden Slipper horse, the beaten brigade on that occasion including subsequent Group I winners Pressday and Ilovethiscity, as well as Group winning colts Beneteau and Blackball.
Hinchinbrook progressed to the Slipper where he finished fourth behind Crystal Lily beaten a length and a half to be the first colt home and rounded out his juvenile season with a brave half length third in the Group I AJC Sire’s Produce Stakes after being tightened for room in the run.
After a below par spring campaign, Hinchinbrook was transferred to the Melbourne stables of Peter Moody and set for the big autumn Group I sprints.
His last five starts were all in Group I company against some of the best sprinters in the world including Black Caviar and Hay List with Hinchinbrook performing strongly.
He finished third in the Group I MRC Oakleigh Plate and Group I MVRC William Reid Stakes before coming to Sydney, where he valiantly chased home an explosive Hay List to finish second in the Group I ATC All Aged Stakes.
On that occasion, Hinchinbrook finished in front of Group I winners Heart of Dreams, Melito, Shoot Out, Danleigh, Alverta and Triple Honour in what was undoubtedly the best run of his career.
“That run proved his class at the elite level and I have no doubt he was going to Royal Ascot in the best form of his career and would have been highly competitive,” Mitchell reflected.
“He’s a lovely horse with a superb pedigree and we are genuinely thrilled to have him coming back to the farm.”
Hinchinbrook’s sire Fastnet Rock went to Royal Ascot in 2005, but returned home without racing after being travel sick and has since gone on to be one of the leading young sires in the country, so breeders will be hoping his handsome son can also emulate his sire’s success.
The service fee for Hinchinbrook has been set at $16,500 inc. GST
