A son of Champion Sire Fastnet Rock and Nothin But A Dream (USA) (First Defence {USA}), Glenfiddich raced 12 times, notching two wins (one at Group 2 level) and four minor placings (two in elite company), for earnings of $406,750.
Competing at black-type level on 10 occasions, including five of his final six starts, Glenfiddich raced against some of the elite sprinter/milers in Australia.
Glenfiddich, new to Aquis' roster in 2022 and will stand for $8800 (inc GST)
Aquis Farm’s Director of Sales, Jonathan Davies, said they are delighted to add Glenfiddich to the roster.
“He’s a lovely horse and we’re very happy to get him. He’s a horse we were looking at for a while,” Davies told TDN AusNZ.
“I flew down to Melbourne last year to have a look at him while he was having a break between campaigns and I was very impressed with him.
“With his racetrack performance, the quality individual he is, plus his pedigree, he certainly warrants a home at Aquis.”
“With his (Glenfiddich's) racetrack performance, the quality individual he is, plus his pedigree, he certainly warrants a home at Aquis.” - Jonathan Davies
Davies said the 4-year-old has plenty of the attributes that he looks for in a stallion.
“He’s just got a lot of quality and a lot of class, that’s the first thing that strikes you,” Davies commented.
“He’s got a really good head and a really kind eye on him.
“He’s got an absolutely beautiful action, he really uses himself in front, he really extends himself and tracks through beautifully with a big overstep.
“If he throws horses like that, they’re certainly going to be popular at the sales and do the job on the tracks.”
Jonathan Davies | Image courtesy of Aquis
A talented youngster
Commencing his career with trainer Robbie Griffiths, Glenfiddich ran second to Hanseatic in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts and Geldings) at his third start.
After being touched off by Amish Boy (Star Witness) in the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic, Glenfiddich broke his maiden status in brilliant fashion, thrashing his rivals in the $125,000 Mornington Sires’ over 1500 metres.
At his final run as a 2-year-old, the colt finished a close second behind King’s Legacy in the G1 Champagne S. at Randwick, with dual Group 1 winner Ole Kirk placing third.
Resuming as a 3-year-old in the time-honoured G1 Memsie S., and under the care of new trainer Peter Moody, Glenfiddich finished third behind triple Group 1-winning star Behemoth (All Too Hard) and dual Group 1 victor Mr Quickie (Shamus Award). The beaten brigade include; Group 1 winners Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Mystic Journey (Needs Further), Harlem (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) and Regal Power (Pierro).
Following his brilliant run in the Memsie, Glenfiddich scored a dominant victory in the G2 Bill Stutt S. at Moonee Valley, leaving Group 2 winner Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and G1 Caulfield Guineas champion Lunar Fox (Foxwedge) in his wake.
Speaking post-race, Moody said: “He’s a very exciting colt so after we win the (Caulfield) Guineas we might come back here for a Cox Plate.”
The Stutt would prove to be Glenfiddich’s penultimate start.
“I always thought he had undoubted Group 1 ability, I think everyone saw that,” Davies added.
“As an early spring 3-year-old, to run a big third against the older Group 1 weight-for-age horses… he certainly had a Group 1 win in him, we just never got to see it, unfortunately.”
“As an early spring 3-year-old, to run a big third against the older Group 1 weight-for-age horses… he (Glenfiddich) certainly had a Group 1 win in him, we just never got to see it, unfortunately.” - Jonathan Davies
A powerful pedigree
Glenfiddich hails from the same family as four-time Group 1 champion Criterion (NZ), who won $7.27 million in prizemoney, as well as Group 1 winner Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) and Eleven Eleven (Fastnet Rock) - a Listed winner with $2.86 million to his credit.
“It’s an incredibly strong family and it’s only going to keep improving,” Davies said.
Glenfiddich was bred and is part-owned by Ian Smith’s Edinburgh Park Stud and carries the familiar IKS brand.
Ian Smith | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Ian’s going to support the horse, so will all of the ownership group; they’ve all kept some breeding rights in the horse and they’re very keen to support him. They will be active at the upcoming Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale,” Davies explained.
“It’s really heartening that he’s going to be supported by some really great breeders.”
Smith said the ownership group is delighted to partner with Aquis Farm, and everyone is excited about Glenfiddich’s potential in the breeding barn.
“We always had a lot of confidence in Glenfiddich and it’s not hard to work out why; he’s such a lovely type of horse, with a great temperament and that family has worked so well for us,” Smith said. “There’s something like 10 stakes horses alone in the second dam, while others on the page represent some of the best racehorses we’ve seen on Australian tracks over the last decade or so.
“We always had a lot of confidence in Glenfiddich and it’s not hard to work out why; he’s such a lovely type of horse, with a great temperament and that family has worked so well for us.” - Ian Smith
“Edinburgh Park was very happy to retain a share in Glenfiddich after the yearling sale and we’re ecstatic that he’s heading to Aquis Farm where he will get every opportunity to succeed. The owners and I will be supporting him with some nice mares.”
