There are not many more passionate racing enthusiasts than Sydney-based breeder and owner Paul Favretto. His band of exceptional broodmares, largely owned in partnership with Arrowfield Stud and partners, continue to fuel that excitement.
Top Cuban (Anabaa {USA}), owned with good friend Paul Rowe, is one of Favretto's favourites - and rightly so.
While the daughter of Anabaa wasn’t overly blessed with ability herself, winning just one minor race at Kembla Grange, her progeny have generated spirited bidding in the sale ring.
“Top Cuban’s been my best mare and I own three-quarters of her,” Favretto said. “She was bought by Graeme Rogerson and she raced, but went in the wind.
“She was sold to dissolve a partnership and I bought the remaining 75 per cent for $10,000. She’s had four colts go through the ring and they’ve made just under $4 million.”
Paul Favretto with John Messara at the Arrowfield stallion parade
100 per cent record
Her four foals to race have all won and include the G3 BTC Classic winner Havana (Starcraft {NZ}), the first stakes winner Favretto bred.
His brother Jing Jing Win is a multiple winner in Hong Kong. The colt was picked up for $360,000 by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from Arrowfield's 2014 Inglis Easter draft before being purchased by Liu Yu Wen for $HK8.5 million (approx $A1.4 million) at the Hong Kong Sale a year later.
Eltizaam (Redoute’s Choice), knocked down to Shadwell Stud For $1.5 million at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, was successful last season. Diplomatico (Snitzel) is her latest success story. He was knocked down to George Moore Bloodstock for $1.7 million at the Inglis Easter Sale.
Diplomatico as a yearling
“John Hawkes has always said he’ll be better in the autumn and as a spring 4-year-old,” Favretto said.
Favretto has remained in the ownership of the now 3-year-old, and at Randwick on Saturday the Team Hawkes-trained colt won the Listed Southern Cross Group Brian Crowley S., at just his third start.
“John Hawkes has always said he’ll be better in the autumn and as a spring 4-year-old.” - Paul Favretto.
“We’ll take it one step at a time with him and see how he is in the next couple of days and John then will assess where he goes.
“Top Cuban has a positive scan to Pariah, who I bred with John (Messara) and a few others, but I didn’t keep a share when he was sold. The mare will probably go back to Snitzel next year and she keeps producing beautiful, fluid-moving foals.”
High-priced yearling s
G1 Blue Diamond S. runner-up Pariah (Redoute’s Choice) is a son of Secluded (Hussonet {USA}). She is a half-sister to the two-time Group 1 winner Melito (Redoute’s Choice). Pariah's full brother was bought by Tim Stakemire for $2.5 million at Sydney last Easter.
Pariah, who now stands at Arrowfield stud was bred by Paul Favretto and John Messara, among others
“Secluded has a nice Redoute’s Choice filly on the ground and she’s gone back to Snitzel,” Favretto said.
“Secluded has a nice Redoute’s filly and she’s going to Snitzel.” - Paul Favretto
Silla Regalis (Encosta de Lago), a half-sister to the champion Hong Kong sprinter Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}), is another prominent member of the Favretto broodmare band.
She has left a winner in South Africa while her unraced son Creator (Redoute’s Choice) was purchased by James Harron for $1.5 million at the Sydney Easter Sale.
Creator was a $1.5 Million Easter yearling purchase
Silla Regalis has been bred to Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {IRE}) the last two years, missing in 2017 and producing a colt this season.
“Between Australia and New Zealand I’ve got about 30 mares. In Australia all bar two are at Arrowfield and most of the mares, 20 or more, are owned in partnership with John and other Arrowfield clients.
“In New Zealand, I’ve got Diamaint who is by Cape Blanco out of Love Diamonds and one of Sir Patrick’s best families. She’s got a Reliable Man colt.
“Savana From Havana is a half-sister to Soriano and she’s at Cambridge Stud with a Power colt and she’s going to Almanzor.”
Sprinter back in style
Favretto’s weekend closed on another winning note as a part-owner of the Rogerson-trained Ferrando (NZ) (Fast ‘n’ Famous), who resumed with a dashing win at Otaki on Sunday.
“He’s been a bit slow to mature and he’s no good in the wet,” he said. “He’s a lovely, free-running sprinter and he’s still an entire.
“He’s going to the Stewards and after that the Railway and the Telegraph, he ran third in that last season.
“We may look at Australia in the autumn. He could be quite effective at tighter tracks like Moonee Valley, Doomben or Caulfield, but the first stop is the Stewards.”
