Unwanted youngster now a Group 2 hero

3 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

He might have plenty of admirers now, but Monday’s G2 Adelaide Cup winner Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) was friendless as a yearling and as a 2-year-old.

The Rich Hill Stud graduate twice went through the Karaka sale ring, but on each occasion went out the other side without favour. John Thompson then decided on another approach and that also failed to get off the ground.

“There was nothing wrong with him. He was a nice horse, but nobody was interested in him at the Select Sale,” Thompson said.

“I thought he’d make a Ready to Run sort, but he didn’t breeze up that well on the day and didn’t sell.

“He had a couple of preparations, but he just wouldn’t settle and was a bit difficult.” – John Thompson.

“I still thought he had a bit going for him and I gave him to Margaret Falconer as a 3-year-old. I thought if he could win a trial we could sell him.

Surprise Baby as a yearling

“He had a couple of preparations, but he just wouldn’t settle and was a bit difficult. I put him on gavelhouse.com and got NZ$55000 for him.”

He was purchased sight unseen by Australian John Fiteni, whose trainer Paul Preusker subsequently viewed Surprise Baby.

“Paul came out to the farm after John had bought him,” Thompson said. “I saw Paul again at Karaka and he said the horse could gallop, but he was just mentally immature.”

“I saw Paul again at Karaka and he said the horse could gallop, but he was just mentally immature.” – John Thompson.

Surprise Baby had won three of his first four starts and the Adelaide Cup at his sixth outing.

“I can’t think of any horse that’s won a Group 2 two-mile race at its sixth start, at least over this way,” Thompson said.

Surprise Baby is out of Bula Baby (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}), whose mother Miss Tessla (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) was acquired after a successful racing career by Rich Hill.

“We bought her out of Australia after she finished racing,” he said. “Lee Freedman trained her and she won a Group 2.”

“Lee Freedman trained her and she won a Group 2.” – John Thompson.

Surprise Baby is the only winner produced by Bula Baby, who has since been sold.

“She was by Kaapstad and getting pretty old,” Thompson said. “It wasn’t worthwhile hanging on to her. You’ve got to cull mares and she’s one we did.

“We’ve got no regrets. We’ve got Shocking and it’s great for him and to have bred a Group 2 winner.

“It was a great training performance by Paul and the horse can only get better. He could become a genuine Melbourne Cup horse, who knows.

“Shocking’s going well. He also had three winners last Sunday as well and he’s got Tianchi Monster in the Hong Kong Derby.”

Shocking