While Godolphin did not see an immediate return on the $1,125,000 shelled out for the Group 1 winner Star Shiraz the 2007 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, it is reaping the rewards from her daughter Retsina. At Sandown-Lakeside on Wednesday, Retsina’s 3yo Hallowed Crown colt Vilana improved from his career debut second at Bendigo to open his winning account in a head-bobbing finish in a 1200m maiden.
Taken to the front from an outside barrier by Damien Oliver, Vilana staged a 200m war with the heavily backed Redoute’s Choice gelding Negotiate.
The judge found the narrowest of margins for Vilana with the Deep Field colt Mars Mission four and a quarter length back in third.
“He did it tough, and it was a solid win,” stable representative Sean Keogh said.
“It’s been a wonderful month or so for our broodmare band. This fellow is out of Retsina, so he is a half to Savatiano.
“The Hallowed Crown’s don’t mind a bit of cut in the ground, which he got here today to kick him off the mark at his second start.”
Vilana is the third winner from four to race out of Retsina, who won a Doomben maiden in nine starts.
A daughter of Redoute’s Choice, Retsina made the best possible start to her broodmare career with her daughter Savatiano (Street Cry), winning the Group 1 ATC Canterbury Stakes and five Group II’s on the way to banking over $2.5million.
Vilana strikes a pose (image Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
Second foal Athens placed in three of her four starts at Kembla, Gosford and Newcastle and could be a very astute purchase for A List Stud, who outlaid $160,000 to secure the daughter of Medaglia d’Oro (USA) at the 2020 Nationa Broodmare Sale when carrying a filly by Encryption. She was covered by Exceed And Excel last spring.
Retsina made it two stakes winners from her first three foals with the Lonhro filly Athiri.
A dual Listed stakes-winner Athiri banked $811,300 from five wins and seven placings, including the Group II Blue Diamond Prelude, Group III Magic Night Stakes and Group III Kindergarten Stakes, from 22 starts.
Retsina has a 2yo colt by Lonhro named Rakomelo and a yearling colt by Street Boss (USA).
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice was covered by Blue Point (IRE) last spring.
Hallowed Crown stands at Twin Hills Stud for a fee of $11,000.
