Stayer out to boost stallion credentials

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

A long-term plan might be perfectly executed in the coming weeks by Tosen Basil (JPN) (Harbinger {GB}).

In his second Australian start, the lightly-raced 7-year-old finished runner-up in the G1 Underwood S., and on Saturday will be bidding to go one better in the G1 Ladbrokes Caulfield S., to lift his stallion profile for majority shareholder Yulong Investments.

Tosen Basil was identified as a hot spring carnival prospect by Ozzie Kheir, who has a share in the stayer and was a part-owner of the 2012 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist (GER) (Monsun {GER}).

“Ozzie found him and approached us to see if we were interested,” Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said.

“We looked at it and as he was already qualified for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups we thought he was a good fit.” – Sam Fairgray.

“We looked at it and as he was already qualified for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups we thought he was a good fit".

“We got him out to Australia nice and early and Darren Weir is great with these older horses".

“He can keep them fresh and happy at the beach at Warrnambool, the farm and at Ballarat so he can mix it up.”

Stallion prospect

Yulong hopes Tosen Basil can strike at the highest level and in the future be part of their stallion operation currently being developed in Victoria.

“That’s our aim, if he can win one of the Cup races,” Fairgray said. “He finished third in the Hong Kong Vase last year so there are plenty of options going forward and he hasn’t been over-taxed.”

Tosen Basil was at long odds when he finished runner-up in the Underwood, but will be much more respected on Saturday.

“He surprised us a bit, we thought he’d need the run, he’s coming to form at the right time". - Sam Fairgray

He surprised us a bit, we thought he’d need the run,” Fairgray said. “He’s coming to form at the right time

“His run the other day was fantastic and he probably felt it the last little bit. The race will bring him on further and we’re sure he’ll run extremely well again.”

Group 1 pedigree

Tosen Basil is out of the black type performer Careless Whisper (JPN) (Fuji Kiseki (JPN) and she is a half-sister to the G1 Tenno Sho winner Tosen Jordan (JPN) (Jungle Pocket {JPN}) and to the dam of last season’s G1 Emirates S., and G1 Toorak H., winner Tosen Stardom (JPN) (Deep Impact {JPN}). He is now serving his first season at Woodside Park Stud.

Tosen Basil will be ridden by John Allen while James McDonald will don the Yulong silks aboard the trial winner Utzon (NZ) (Charm Spirit {IRE}) in the Listed Inglis Debutant S.

The white youngster is prepared on the course by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

“She’s done it all on natural ability so far and it’s exciting to have a filly with her pedigree in a 2-year-old stakes race,” Fairgray said.

“Ciaron and David are really happy with her and she came through her trial very, very well. It’s all systems go.”

Karaka purchase

Utzon was purchased out of Windsor Park Stud’s draft at Karaka for NZ$120,000 and is a daughter of The Opera House (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), a three-quarter sister to the two-time Australian Horse of the Year Might And Power (NZ).

Utzon (Charm Spirit (IRE) x The Opera House (NZL) pictured as a yearling.

Her previous two foals were also pure white with the first by High Chaparral (IRE) bought by the Dearest Club for NZ$450,000 and named Casa Diva (NZ) she has won in Japan.

The second, Grand Bernini (NZ), is by Shamexpress (NZ) and was secured by the China Horse Club and Maher for NZ$510,000. The colt has yet to race.