The 2020-21 season was a record breaking one for Proven Thoroughbreds with 60 winners and $2,806,215 in prizemoney.
Significantly, 40% of those winners came at metropolitan level so a big congratulations is in order for our two primary stables – Joe Pride and Steve O’Dea/Matt Hoysted.
We’ve made a concerted effort to increase the quality of our stock in the last couple of years so it’s pleasing to see that reflected in this season’s results.
STAR PERFORMERS
PRIVATE EYE – He’s come a long way in a short space of time this horse. Prior to last season he’d finished fifth on debut at Wyong over 1000m. Since then he’s recorded six wins and a second in eight starts, culminating in his Group 2 Queensland Guineas triumph. His biggest asset is his turn of speed. In many of those wins he was able to find another gear at the business end. Races like the Epsom Handicap and Golden Eagle look ideal spring targets. Amazing to think he was the last horse we sold from our 2019 crop of yearlings.
STOCKMAN – It was most pleasing to see this horse’s luck finally turn towards the end of the season. After enduring a frustrating sequence of placings he claimed back to back stakes wins in the McKell Cup and Sunshine Coast Cup. In total his 14-start season yielded a healthy $303,250 in prizemoney. Looking forward to see how this NZ-bred stayer comes back next preparation. With a benchmark up near 100 now, we could soon see him in a major handicap.
2020-21 Stakes results
| Starts | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | |
| STOCKMAN | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| PRIVATE EYE | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| GOTTA KISS | 4 | 2 | |||
| KYLEASE | 2 | 1 | |||
| STELLAR MAGIC | 2 | 1 |
ONES TO WATCH
FETCH – It was only a Grafton maiden but this filly treated her older rivals with contempt on debut. So much so that she was set to start favourite in a stakes race at Doomben at her next start but was scratched due to an elevated white blood cell count. She shook off that virus pretty quickly but we did the right thing by her and sent her out for a spell. Now a three-year-old, she has a big future.
THATFEELSBETTER – Think he was pretty stiff to bump into PRINCE OF BOOM on debut at a Sunshine Coast Sunday meeting. He did a good job to finish second that day and was subsequently spelled while PRINCE OF BOOM went on to win the Group 2 Champagne Classic so fair to say the form has stood up! Don’t think he’ll be a maiden for much longer.
RUBINOCCHI – Promising filly with two wins from four career starts. Has shown real grit in her two victories while her only blemish this campaign came at Randwick when she missed the start, over-raced and was held up badly in the home straight. Think she can progress to bigger and better things as a 3YO.
SIRES ON FIRE
SPIRIT OF BOOM
It was fitting this sire produced five winners on the final day of the 2020-21 season (more than any other sire) because he’s definitely a stallion to follow into the new season. In fact his 2YOs in 2021-22 will be from his best crop of mares. Proven was awake to this at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, purchasing three SPIRIT OF BOOM colts. All three colts are out of stakes winning or stakes producing mares.
Officially, SPIRIT OF BOOM finished the season with 121 winners and a winners to runners strike rate of 51.3%.
SPIRIT OF BOOM x PALAZZO PUBBLICO colt
2.5% share = $2,636.36 + GST
SPIRIT OF BOOM x BELONG TO MANY colt
2.5% share = $3,409.09 + GST
SPIRIT OF BOOM x PASSARA colt (10% left)
2.5% share = $6,227.27 + GST
STAR TURN
What a fantastic job this sire has done in his first season. He certainly made CAPITALIST work for the first season sire premiership, finishing within one win of the 2016 Golden Slipper hero. With 20 winners from 42 starters, his strike rate of 47.6% was far superior to that of CAPITALIST (32.8%). And to think STAR TURN didn’t hit his straps as a racehorse until turning three, the future would appear bright for his stock.
STAR TURN x EXTREME MEASURE colt
2.5% share = $1,727.27 + GST
RETIREES
As we look forward to the next generation of horses, it’s also important to acknowledge past performers. Through our many connections in the industry, we are fortunately able to secure the future of our racehorses in retirement, whether it be for breeding, equestrian, pleasure riding or other disciplines.
This season we bid farewell to a handful of Proven gallopers, including accomplished trio GOTTA KISS, RECKLESS CHOICE and COOL SEQUENCE. Between them they recorded 18 wins and more than $1.2 million in prizemoney. A special mention must go to GOTTA KISS who was sold for $800,000 as a broodmare and will be served by leading sire I AM INVINCIBLE this spring.
GOTTA KISS
COOL SEQUENCE
RECKLESS CHOICE
It would be remiss of us not to acknowledge another retiree from the 2020-21 season – trainer John Bateman. Having served under the late Guy Walter for many years, John transitioned into a head trainer role for Proven Thoroughbreds in 2014 and did a remarkable job with a small team. We wish him all the best with his move to the Sunshine Coast – a far cry from the chilly mornings at Goulburn! Group 1-winning trainer Kerry Parker, who is based at Kembla Grange, was recently selected to fill the void left by John.
THE SEASON AHEAD
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the season ahead is the prizemoney increases implemented across New South Wales and Queensland. Prizemoney boosts are imperative in preserving the viability of racehorse ownership.
The Australian racing product is further enhanced by lucrative bonus schemes like BOBS and QTIS, as well as an ever-expanding list of feature races.
As Guy Walter once said, the best thing about racing is that you are always looking forward, and with a bit of luck you can hit the jackpot.
COVID has certainly presented some challenges but racing has thankfully marched on uninterrupted and we have all the industry participants to thank for that.
Proven Thoroughbreds would like to take this opportunity to also thank the ongoing support of our clients, many of whom have been with us for the best part of two decades.
We can’t wait to see what this season holds and hope (if you haven’t already), can join us for the ride.