The handsome 4-year-old Sensei holds a dear place in Pitman’s heart and he’s hoping for another bold run in Saturday’s Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield to further boost the profile of the stallion, who has a soul-stirring background.
“He’s the only horse I have ever given a nickname to, Jonny. He’s named after my late son,” Pitman said.
“He was right into his judo and not long before he passed away he spent four weeks in Japan under one of the best judo instructors.”
“He’s the only horse I have ever given a nickname to, Jonny. He’s named after my late son.” - Michael Pitman.
A sensei is a teacher of the Japanese martial art and Sensei has showed plenty of fighting spirit in his relatively light career and Pitman is determined to give the entire every chance at a future career at stud.
Sensei
“We want to make him a stallion proposition, and obviously win some money with him,” Pitman said.
“If he can win or place in a Group 1 in Australia he must have a future somewhere. He’s a lovely, kind horse and a pretty cool customer.
“I’d love to see him as a stallion and my son’s memory living on with him.”
“He’s a lovely, kind horse and a pretty cool customer.” – Michael Pitman.
Pitman purchased Sensei at the Inglis Easter Sale in 2016 for $60,000 out of Emirates Park’s draft and understandably believes it was a steal.
“He’s the only horse I bought at the sale. Inglis gave me a three-month credit and $150,000 and had flown me over there and paid for the accommodation,” Pitman said.
Sensei pictured as a yearling
“I saw Jim Bruford at the sale and said to him have a look at this horse. He said you won’t get him for what I had, but he’s ended up a pretty cheap horse.”
“He said you won’t get him for what I had, but he’s ended up a pretty cheap horse.” – Michael Pitman.
Bruford, an insurance adviser with New Zealand Bloodstock, has had a lengthy association with the stable and is a part-owner of Savvy Coup (NZ) (Savabeel), who won two Group 1 races for Pitman and training partner son Matt before relocating to Chris Waller’s yard.
“I was obviously disappointed, but I certainly don’t blame them and understand. She’s a mare that’s hard to place here now,” Pitman said. “She won a trial at Warwick Farm last Thursday so she’ll be racing soon.”
Bruford also shares in the ownership of Sensei, who has won five of his 17 starts.
“He’s a lovely colt and as good a looking horse you’d find anywhere,” Pitman said. “He wouldn’t be out of place anywhere and he’s got a fantastic pedigree, a stallion’s pedigree.”
“He’s a lovely colt and as good a looking horse you’d find anywhere.” – Michael Pitman.
Sensei's Connections
Sensei is a half-brother to four winners, including the G2 Queensland Guineas winner Rothesay (Fastnet Rock), who was also successful in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup before his retirement to Lyndhurst Stud.
“He was a champion first season sire by winners in Australia,” Pitman said.
They are out of Schiaparelli (Woodman {USA}), a half-sister to the stakes winners Causeway Lass (Giant’s Causeway {Ire}) and Astute Angel (Godswalk {USA}) and the dam of Saturday’s G3 Southern Cross S. winner Eckstein (I Am Invincible).
Schiaparelli is a daughter of the three-time Group 1 winner Canny Lass (Bletchingly), a sister to the influential stallion Canny Lad.
“We won the race with Enzo’s Lad, but there’s no doubt in my mind Sensei should have won.” – Michael Pitman.
Pitman is under no illusions about the strength of the Australian sprinting ranks, but has always had great faith in Sensei, who won the Listed Hazlett S. two runs back before finishing an unlucky third at Trentham in the G1 Telegraph.
“We won the race with Enzo’s Lad, but there’s no doubt in my mind Sensei should have won,” he said.
Sensei drew the outside barrier but one and was caught five wide in the open all the way and still finished off to be less than a length and a-half off the barn mate.
“At this stage, he’s only going to have the one run in Australia but we’ll see how we go,” Pitman said.
“I’m hoping he’ll go forward and follow Nature Strip and can put a toe-rope on him.” – Michael Pitman.
“It’s a handicap so he’ll get in well at the weights. We haven’t got a jockey yet, but I’m not worried about that.”
While the talented Nature Strip (Nicconi) is sure to start a short-priced favourite following his blazing win in the G2 Rubiton S. in his first start from the Waller stable, Pitman is hoping the speed demon’s presence can work in Sensei’s favour.
“I’m hoping he’ll go forward and follow Nature Strip and can put a toe-rope on him,” Pitman said. “They’ll go quickly and that will suit us, he can pull a bit.”
