The Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 is now a priority for five time Group 1 winner It’s A Dundeel after plans were announced that he will stand the 2014 stud season at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley.
It;s A Dundeel, blue and gold, looms up to head off Atlantic Jewel, all blue, in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Transtasman Syndicate who race It’s A Dundeel were quick to score a deal with Arrowfield Stud after the four year old stallion rolled the undefeated Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
A great tactical ride by Sydney based Kiwi rider James McDonald saw It’s A Dundeel down the colours of Atlantic Jewel for the first time in a torrid dog fight all the way down the Caulfield straight.
Arrowfield’s Chairman John Messara welcomes the stoutly bred stallion, by High Chaparral out of the Zabeel mare Stareel, to the famous stud and he will stand alongside prominent stallions such at Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel and Animal Kingdom.
“It’s A Dundeel’s pedigree combines the brilliance and classic stamina of Sadler’s Wells and Zabeel infused with the incomparable speed of Luskin Star to create a racehorse of superlative quality over a range of distances,” Messara said.
“It’s A Dundeel’s Underwood success – his fifth Group 1 win – highlights both his weight-for-age class and the turn of foot he had previously demonstrated in his emphatic seven-length victory in the Rosehill Guineas. He is indeed the real deal.”
Arrowfield is yet to put a price on It’s A Dundeel and said that syndication will be considered at a later date with breeder and part owner Murray Anderosn looking forward to a great association with the world renowned stud.
“We’re delighted that Arrowfield has agreed to stand It’s A Dundeel, because it secures his place on a major Australian stallion roster that will give him the opportunity he deserves,” Anderson said.
It’s A Dundeel rose to prominence last Spring when he raced through the classes before winning the Group 1 $400,000 Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Trainer Murray Baker, who will continue to prepare the four year old, sent It’s A Dundeel to the spelling after finishing seventh to Fiveandahalfstar in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
But Baker returned to Sydney in the Autumn to make a clean sweep of the three year old Group 1 Triple Crown races, winning the $500,000 Turnpoint Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m), the $500,000 Flinders Lane Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and the $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.
It’s A Dundeel is likely to have a rematch with Atlantic Jewel when the pair line up in the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 12 as a final lead up to the Cox Plate.
