Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Platinum Jubilee was bred by Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock, whose director Steve O’Connor spoke to TDN AusNZ about their exciting mare.
It was a victory which looked highly unlikely for all but the final 100 metres of Australia’s first stakes race for 2-year-olds fillies. Settling at the back of the field, Platinum Jubilee weaved her way through the pack and pounced late, and in doing so she became the second juvenile stakes winner for her dam - a perfect record from her first two foals.
That dam, Miss Debutante (Fastnet Rock), is now one of the most commercial mares of her age in Australia, having produced last season’s G3 Black Opal S. and G3 Widden S. winner Queen Of The Ball (I Am Invincible).
Dual Group 3 winner Queen Of The Ball | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
With the 3-year-old filly backing up her juvenile success by claiming a first victory in her Classic year in the G3 Scarborough S. on September 23, it’s been a big eight days for the mare.
“I spoke to Sir Owen after the race and he was delighted because it’s the second Group win in just over a week for the mare, Miss Debutante, who he raced,” said O’Connor, who admitted that Saturday’s Gimcrack wasn’t the easiest watch.
“We were drawn a bit wider, so we were a bit apprehensive knowing that all 2-year-olds certainly benefit from an inside gate. We were surprised following her in the run, having missed the kick, to see her storming home like that. We were hoping that she might run third then to see her pick up and collar the field - it was a hugely exciting win to watch.
“We were hoping that she (Platinum Jubilee) might run third then to see her pick up and collar the field - it was a hugely exciting win to watch.” - Steve O'Connor
“It’s a big thrill for her, for the mare, for Gai and Adrian - and it was Gai’s first Gimcrack. It really means something to Sir Owen and Bruce Slade put his neck out putting the people together, so we’re thrilled for everyone involved including ourselves with the mare and the whole family that we have.”
A family trend
Miss Debutante is a daughter of the More Than Ready (USA) mare More Than Real (USA), a winner of the G2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf S. who moved to Australia following her purchase by James Bester for US$675,000 (AU$1,025,500) at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale.
Purchased for Sir Owen at the 2015 Inglis Sydney Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $430,000, Miss Debutante raced successfully in the Go Bloodstock silks, winning four of her eight starts, including the Listed Denise’s Joy S. at Scone.
Miss Debutante when racing | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Interestingly, Miss Debutant appeared only once as a juvenile herself, placing third in a Warwick Farm maiden in February of her 2-year-old season.
As a producer, Miss Debutante has been consistent in more ways than one, as following Platinum Jubilee, Go Bloodstock are looking forward to the current yearling, another filly, this time by Written Tycoon.
“She retired and she’s been a superstar for us. We always thought she was one of our top mares from that family, it’s a lovely family and we’ve bred her accordingly,” said O’Connor.
“She (Miss Debutante) retired and she’s been a superstar for us. We always thought she was one of our top mares from that family, it’s a lovely family and we’ve bred her accordingly.” - Steve O'Connor
“She’s had three fillies in a row, the Written Tycoon filly being the youngest. She’s a cracker, she’s as good a physical as the first two. She’s a filly we have earmarked to retain, and given how well the family is going it’s probably what we’ll do.
“We’ll try to develop this family ourselves now. She’s in foal to Flying Artie, our stallion equity, and she’s booked back to I Am Invincible.
“She’ll keep the best company with regards to stallions in Australia for the duration of her career and hopefully we can keep producing stakes winners.”
Steve O'Connor
Having been limited to visits to some of Australia’s best stallions, Miss Debutante’s latest produce is also resident at one of Australia’s top nurseries too, to whom O'Connor paid tribute.
“She’s up at Newgate - they raised both her (Platinum Jubilee) and Queen Of The Ball,” O’Connor revealed. “Henry (Field) and Jim Carey have a knack of producing these horses that are good, precocious 2-year-olds.”
Platinum Jubilee wins the G3 Gimcrack S. at Randwick | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Size no barrier
Being on the smaller side, when Queen Of The Ball faded from the front to finish fourth on her return this season in the G2 Silver Shadow S., you could be forgiven for thinking that she might have peaked as a juvenile. And whilst he has every faith in the family, O’Connor admitted that until you see them do it, you never know.
“These running types, which is exactly what she (Queen Of The Ball) is, you’re always a bit concerned that they might not train on as a 3-year-old. So, to see her do that last week, we were relieved. We’re confident that she can now go on and, on a dry track, I think she can give all of those 3-year-old races a shake.”
“We’re confident that she (Queen Of The Ball) can now go on and, on a dry track, I think she can give all of those 3-year-old races a shake.” - Steve O'Connor
Although size is clearly no barrier to success for the family, O’Connor reported that each of Miss Debutante’s foals has been slightly bigger than the last.
“...the mare herself is not a big mare, even though she’s by Fastnet Rock. She’s more a running type of mare, and that’s what she’s producing.
“This filly (Platinum Jubilee) probably has a bit more scope about her than Queen Of The Ball had, and the Written Tycoon (filly) has a bit more scope again.”
Connections of Platinum Jubilee after winning the G3 Gimcrack S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
With Queen Of The Ball heading on a path towards the G1 Coolmore Stud S., and a host of options open for Platinum Jubilee, one wonders where this young family will peak.
