In this series TDN AusNZ will take a look at Group 1 runners before they were successful on the racetrack; speaking to breeders, breakers and trainers on their formative years.
Bivouac
Exceed And Excel x Dazzler (More Than Ready {USA})
Winner - G1 Seppelt Wines Newmarket H. 1200m
Winner - G1 De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose 1400m
Placed - G1 Keogh Homes William Reid S. 1200m
Placed - G1 Coolmore Stud S. 1200m
Winner - G2 Run To The Rose 1200m
Bivouac
TDN AusNZ: What was Bivouac like as a foal?
John Sunderland, Stud Manager Godolphin Woodlands: He was a later foal born on November 4 and was a nice leggy, scopey colt at birth. As a later foal he was a bit immature but straight forward with good conformation.
TDN AusNZ: What was the foaling down like?
JS: Presented upside down but was easily corrected and a straight forward foaling. He was 59.5kgs at birth.
TDN AusNZ: What was Bivouac like as a weanling?
JS: He was on the immature side but continued to slowly improve as he got older. He was quite cheeky as a weanling and always playful in the paddock.
TDN AusNZ: Did he have any best friends or paddock mates?
JS: He shared the nursery area with the filly Colette (Hallowed Crown), but one of his constant paddock mates was Chenier (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}) who would grow out to be a good 3-year-old for Godolphin and has now been sold to race in Hong Kong.
TDN AusNZ: What was he like through his yearling years?
JS: Although he was a later foal he continued to improve and show signs of precocity as a yearling and after a one week education prep, he commenced his breaking-in with the second group on January 31, 2018 at Kelvinside.
Bivouac winning the G1 Seppelt Wines Newmarket H.
Education notes
TDN AusNZ: What was Bivouac like in his early days of work, did he display any 'standout' qualities?
Scott Eeles, Godolphin (Breaking In and Pre-Training): Bivouac handled his education without concern. He had an even temperaments as a yearling with no real standout trait.
He came through in the very first group in January that year. He was quite unassuming during his time here, but caught the eye under saddle.
First impressions
TDN AusNZ: What was your first impression of Bivouac?
Victoria 'Dizzy' Appleby, Assistant Trainer: He was quite feminine but athletic and very willing in everything asked of him.
TDN AusNZ: What was his temperament like?
VA: He was a kind tempered colt and loved a cuddle (those big eyes drew you in to give him a hug).
Bivouac gets a hug and a pat from the team and winning connections
TDN AusNZ: Did he have any particular traits that made him standout?
VA: His overall attitude, his uncomplicated way about him, eat, sleep and perform.
TDN AusNZ: How soon did you see something ‘special’ in him?
VA: When Nacim Dilmi jumped him out of the barriers and said, “I think is probably one of the quickest horses I’ve ridden”, and he’s ridden a few good ones and is a pretty good judge.
TDN AusNZ: Was he a team favourite?
VA: Bivouac was a team favourite, just because all staff could handle him if needed.
TDN AusNZ: What have been the highlights of having Bivouac under your care at Crown?
VA: The highlights for the whole team was watching the boys turn into men, from the first time they came out for track work to progressing to be Group 1 winners.
