Cooper Sawyer Q&A on the half-sister to Hartnell

2 min read

Greg Goodman’s Lexington-based Mt. Brilliant Farm will offer a Tapit (USA) half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}--Debonnaire {GB}) at the Fasig-Tipton October Sale this week.

TDN AusNZ's Gary King caught up with Mt. Brilliant's Farm Manager, Cooper Sawyer, to find out more about the yearling.

TDN AusNZ: She's obviously an extremely exciting filly to bring to the market. Could you describe her physically?

CS: She’s a very good Tapit. Elegant with a lot of balance, correct, plenty of bone, a keen eye and a beautiful head. She really moves with purpose. She's going to turn a lot of heads this week.

Watch: Hip 398 Tapit x Debonnaire filly

TDN AusNZ: Hartnell has been an extremely talented and tough competitor over the years. You've kept an eye on his exploits no doubt?

CS: For sure, Godolphin and James Cummings have done a remarkable job managing his career. It's been really exciting for us as well, especially two races back at Randwick. To think that he is eight and not only winning Group 1s but setting track records, what a fantastic horse.

As a result, he has really perked our interest in the Australian market, Hutton [Goodman]'s especially. We have Debonnaire's half-sister, Al Jasrah (Ire), at Arrowfield as well. She’s in-foal to Redoute's Choice, and her first foal won yesterday in England as a 2-year-old.

TDNAusNZ: When and where did Mt. Brilliant acquire Debonnaire?

CS: We acquired her privately in England in 2013.

TDNAusNZ: I believe she had a filly by Medaglia d'Oro (USA) this year? Could you describe her?

CS: She’s an absolute stunner, hands down the best weanling we have. A very exciting prospect.

The Medaglia d'Oro x Debonnaire weanling

TDN AusNZ: Has Debonnaire been bred back this season?

CS: She is back in-foal to Medaglia d’Oro. Hutton and Mr. Goodman wanted something with international appeal and to stay on the Sadler's Wells line, with Hartnell being by Authorized, a grandson of his.

On the heels of Vancouver's success, Medaglia d'Oro made the most sense. It was an easy decision originally and we had already planned to revisit Medaglia this year, so to get a filly with as much quality as the weanling was icing on the cake.

Gallery: Tapit x Debonnaire filly