When Joe Pride whizzed across the Tasman in late January this year, he was intent on finding an ACE HIGH yearling that appealed. A long time admirer of the sons of HIGH CHAPARRAL, he’d just prepared the promising BULLETS HIGH to a debut victory at Warwick Farm.
Aware that ACE HIGH hadn’t had much patronage in his short stud career to date (only two mares are siblings to Group 1 winners), finding an attractive individual with a deeper pedigree amongst the 21 entries became the aim.
And on day 1 of the Karaka Sale, mission accomplished! The handsome colt from LUNADA, a full sister to Cox Plate and multiple Group 1 winner EL SEGUNDO, was knocked down to Proven Thoroughbreds/Pride Racing. LUNADA has hitherto had only two foals to the races…BOTTMINGEN by SWISS ACE (winner of 4 from 8) & SAKURA SEASON by EL ROCA (won 2 from 7).
Since that day at the sales (January 28) the colt has travelled to Australia, been broken in and is currently spelling at Thenford Farm. Oh, and BULLETS HIGH yesterday staked his claim for the Group 1 Queensland Derby with a gutsy win at Warwick Farm, climbing off the canvas after being clearly headed to score over 2130m.
What a win by Bullets High at Warwick Farm! 😮@aus_turf_club @PrideRacing @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/0saMu07YRJ
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 22, 2024
Shares in the LUNADA colt, reared at Ancroft Stud (where EL SEGUNDO & LEVANTE began life), start at $6.5k (2.5%). See the latest video update from Thenford Farm below…
For more detailed information, you can visit the ACE HIGH x LUNADA colt’s webpage HERE.