Gai Waterhouse started the new season as she finished the last, saddling Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) to take out the STC Rosehill Gardens Event Centre Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday for owners Gooree Park Stud.

The winner of four from five starts, Swift Alliance dealt a blow to the much-hyped race favourite O'Lonhro (Aus) (Lonhro) winning in style by half a length after hitting the lead early in the run home.

This win followed the victory of Moti (Aus) (Don Eduardo) for the Waterhouse/Gooree Park Stud combination, that win sealing a seventh trainers premiership for the Queen of the Australian turf.

Held in very high regard, Swift Alliance has lined up in city company at each of his five starts, his only defeat coming at the hands of subsequent Group Two-winner Youthful Jack (Aus) (Youthful Legs).  Now four, Swift Alliance will get his first shot at black type level when he lines up in the $100,000 Show County Quality (1200m) in three weeks time and don't be surprised to see the brilliant son of Don Eduardo heading for the top in Melbourne this spring.

"Don Eduardo came within a nose of producing his first Group One winner when Dashing Donna finished second in the Railway earlier this year," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Swift Alliance has showed some brilliance over the shorter trips and it's exciting to think he will be aimed toward some of the major sprint races coming up this Spring," he said.

Promising four-year-old mare Moti (NZ) (Don Eduardo) scored another impressive victory at Warwick Farm today notching up the second win for the day for the powerful Gai Waterhouse stable.  Racing in the colours of Gooree Park Stud, undoubtedly one of Waterhouse's largest owners, it is fitting that the mare should secure the Sydney trainer, her seventh premiership title.

The winner of five from ten starts, today's race was Moti's first in this preparation after following the standard Waterhouse programme of two trial starts before a raceday appearance.  No doubt the stable will be looking for a similar result from rising stable star Swift Alliance (Aus), also by Don Eduardo and of course, also raced in the famous Gooree Park colours, when he lines up over 1200m at Randwick tomorrow after opening his campaign with a solid first-up victory a little over three weeks ago.

"It was great to see Gai secure the title with a daughter of Don Eduardo," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "It was fitting that the race that secured the premiership should be won by a horse wearing the Gooree colours and given that Mr Cojuangco owns Don Eduardo, it makes the win even more significant," he said.  "I'm sure Gai wouldn't mind a few more Don Eduardo's in the stable if they keep performing like that!"

With six stakes performers to his credit so far this season including three Group winners and two Group One performers, the 2009/2010 season will be an exciting one for Don Eduardo.  "His first crop of Haunui-conceived foals are set to turn three tomorrow and we will definitely be watching them with interest," said Mark.  "The last six months has been huge for Don Eduardo with six stakes performers and two Group One performers and we're looking forward to seeing these results continue with the onset of the new season," he said.

Don Eduardo stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST and will cover a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Haunui Farm will offer Group One-winning mare Honor Lap (NZ) (Honor Grades) at New Zealand Bloodstock’s August Sale to be held this Sunday, 2nd August commencing 10am.  In foal to Pins (Aus) (Snippets), the mare will be sold on an unreserved basis.

One of few fillies to complete a Derby/Oaks double, Honor Lap was stakes placed on a further three occasions from a race career spanning 24 starts.  Bred and sold by Haunui Farm, she has completed the full circle and has been residing at the Whitford-based farm where she was born and raised.

A Group One-winner on the track, her progeny have been highly sought after in the sales ring with her first three foals to fall under the hammer all fetching six figures.  Her first foal, a colt by Hussonet (USA) (Mr Prospector) was purchased by Les Samba for $500,000 and named Lap Of Honor, he is a Metropolitan winner.  The following year, Les purchased a half brother by Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) for $525,000 to be later named Top Gallant and he is already placed this season.

2009 saw Haunui Farm offer Honor Lap’s third foal through the sale ring, a filly by Hussonet who was purchased by John O’Shea for $200,000 on behalf of AJC Chairman Ron Finnemore.  “The filly was much in the same mould as her mother as a yearling with perhaps a touch more quality,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  “All reports on the filly since the sale have been very positive and we have a cracking Zabeel colt out of the mare that we will sell at Karaka next February,” he said. 

Honor Lap will be sold in foal to leading stallion Pins, the sire of 11 stakes winners this season.  “We are acting on behalf of a client and the mare will be sold unreserved so she will be knocked down to the highest bidder,” said Mark.  “She would standout in any sales catalogue in Australasia and represents a wonderful opportunity to invest in a quality type of mare who can certainly leave a type,” he said.  “I’m sure there will be a lot of interest from both sides of the Tasman,” he said.

For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - + 64 (0)21 663 995 -
or Shannon Taylor - +64 (0)212 855 513.

Arriving in New Zealand yesterday to prepare for his sixth season at stud, Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) received a welcome boost through the deeds of exciting two-year-old filly Lamington Vegas (NZ) (Elusive City).

Trained by Andrew Scott, Lamington Vegas was making just her second race day appearance at Otaki after finishing a very close third on debut at Avondale at the end of June.  Lining up in the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) against some well accomplished opposition, the filly is undoubtedly held in high regard by her trainer with the confidence to line her up at stakes level at only her second start. 

Jumping from barrier eight in the all familiar Wexford Stables colours, Lamington Vegas was quick to be up outside the leader and race favourite Regal Flame (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt), in the first 200m of the contest before settling nicely on the fence in the trail.  Swinging for home, Opie Bosson moved Regal Flame toward the centre of the track giving Lamington Vegas a clear run for home and with four or five strides, the filly had put the race beyond doubt eventually crossing the line an emphatic three lengths clear of the second-placed Oakwood (NZ) (Spartacus). 

Out of Piece Of Cake (Aus) (Snippets), Lamington Vegas was bred by Joan Egan and was sold as a weanling for $35,000.  Purchased by Te Mania thoroughbreds, she was subsequently sold at the 2008 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Sale where she was knocked down to the bid of Lance O’Sullivan for $110,000.  After initially being unable to on sell the filly, she was placed with Hong Kong owner Benjamin Kwok who will have been more than happy with Saturday’s result.  “Benjamin is a great client of the stable and he will be very excited about this win,” said Andrew Scott after the race.  A three-year-old type, Andrew will prepare the filly for a tilt at the Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) with further spoils undoubtedly on her agenda.

Lamington Vegas became the fourth winner of the time honoured Ryder Stakes with a Haunui connection with her sire standing at the Auckland-based farm.  Haunui bred 1983 winner Beechcraft (NZ) (Sea Anchor) in partnership with Charlie Roberts and in 1987 Weston Lea (NZ) (Sea Anchor) carried the HF brand to victory whilst 1993 winner Waihora’s Lass (NZ) (Tights) was also bred by Haunui Farm.  "With the emphatic nature of this filly's win and the success of past winners of the of the Ryder Stakes, this filly looks set to be a leading contender for higher honours this season," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Our Marketing Manager Shannon Taylor was at the track to see the filly run and reported that the filly was a lovely, athletic, lusty type and said she looked like she will furnish into a lovely three-year-old," he said.  "Given that she was so impressive in just her second start, that bodes well for her three-year-old season," said Mark.

The last twelve months has seen the emergence of Elusive City as one of the most exciting stallion prospects in New Zealand.  The first stallion with New Zealand ownership to be crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe, his first Northern Hemisphere crop have continued that momentum as three-year-olds with a Group One winner and Group One performer to date.  His second crop have also continued the momentum with eight individual winners to date. 

Elusive City will end the current Southern Hemisphere racing season with five stakes performers including stakes winners Metropolitan (NZ) and Lamington Vegas, Australian stakes performers Ahdashim and Returntosender and, Group Two two-year-old Spirit Of Unicorn.  “It is certainly an exciting time in the career of Elusive City and everything has really started to fall into place over the last twelve months,” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  “We’re delighted for our partners in Elusive City – Fairdale Stud, Goodwood Stud and Trelawney Stud – and also for those breeders who have supported the stallion,” said Mark.  “The momentum looks set to continue with some very nice horses about and it would be nice to think that this filly will be putting her hand up in some of those early spring races,” he said.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST.

Three-year-old colt Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) made his long awaited return to the racetrack on Saturday at racing headquarters in Sydney.

Lining up at Randwick for the Gai Waterhouse stable, Swift Alliance put in a gutsy performance lugging the top weight of 58kg to the line over 1200m.  So anticipated was Swift Alliance's return to the track, Gooree Park Stud manager Andrew Baddock listened in from Europe whilst on holiday and was more than satisfied with the colt's effort.

Swift Alliance had an extended break from the track after a sale to Hong Kong didn't eventuate and will possibly have one further start before a Spring campaign.  "I think he has a big race in him and he will be given every opportunity," said Andrew Baddock.

Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information or to make a booking, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Two-year-old filly Elusive Galaxy (Ire) (Elusive City) became her sire's first stakes performer from his second Northern Hemisphere crop when second in the Listed Ballygallon Stud Stakes (Balanchine Stakes) over 6f at The Curragh this past weekend.

A winner on debut in the middle of June, Elusive Galaxy is one of six individual two-year-old winners in the Northern Hemisphere in the last four weeks and is his 13th stakes performer worldwide.

"It's another great result for Elusive City and it's nice to see his second crop starting to make their mark in the Northern Hemisphere," said Mark Chitty.  "Given that he was Champion First Season Sire of Europe last year, it is testament to the horse to see his three-year-olds performing so well and now his two-year-olds starting to get some points on the board," said Mark.

"Elusive City has always been very well supported by Irish breeders and we are certainly seeing a lot of enquiry and some good bookings coming in for him this season," said Mark.  "Getting results on the track is where it counts and New Zealand breeders are certainly taking note," he said.

Two-year-old filly Elusive Galaxy (Ire) (Elusive City) will take her place in the field for the Listed Balanchine Stakes (1200m) at The Curragh overnight in what will be her second start.

A winner on debut at Leopardstown on the 18th of June, Elusive Galaxy is one of six individual two-year-old winners from Elusive City's second Northern Hemisphere crop, all of which have come in the last four weeks.

Crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe last year, Elusive City's first crop have continued the success with a Group One winner and performer this season which sees him currently heading the European Second Crop Sire's table in 2009. 

"It is nice to see Elusive City's second Northern Hemisphere crop coming out and starting to do the job up there," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "It was about this time last year that his first crop started to make their mark so it would be nice to think that his current two-year-olds could emulate those efforts," he said.

Elusive City's first Southern Hemisphere crop are just three-year-olds and this season has seen four stakes performers for the young sire including a Group Two two-year-old and two stakes performers in Australia.

"He has certainly made an impression on both sides of the Tasman and that was reflected in his sales results earlier this year," said Mark.  "His statistics are telling with ten winners from seventeen starters in Australia, two winners from three starters in Hong Kong and a total of 23 winners from his first Southern Hemisphere crop," he said.

Elusive City stands at Haunui in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will be limited to a book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark - 021 663 995 - or Shannon - 0212 855 513.

Three-year-old filly City Dancer (Ire) (Elusive City) added her name to the increasing list of stakes performers from her sire's first Northern Hemisphere crop when finishing second in the Listed EBF Land O'Burns Fillies Stakes (1000m) at Ayr this past weekend.

A winner and placegetter from three starts at two, City Dancer is the twelfth stakes performer for her sire worldwide, the eighth from his first Northern Hemisphere crop.

Elusive City will return to Haunui Farm in 2009 for his sixth Southern Hemisphere season and will stand for a fee of $8,000 + GST.  His book is limited to 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513. 

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) has had a remarkable past 12 months being crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe, siring his first Group One Classic winner whilst his progeny have made some serious inroads on Southern Hemisphere racetracks with four stakes performers in the current season to date.

The latest edition of Australian publication Bluebloods has also highlighted the success Elusive City has achieved in Australia this season listing him in the top ten on the Second Season Sires table which is headed by Exceed And Excel (Aus) (Danehill) with 53 winners from 118 runners.

With only 17 starters in Australia this season, Elusive City has left ten individual winners across the Tasman, among them dual stakes performer Ahdashim (NZ) and stakes performer Returntosender (NZ).  Elusive City leads the table in terms of his winners to runners with a ratio of 59%.  His nearest rival in this department is Lonhro (Aus) (Octagonal) who sits fourth on the table with 42 winners from 92 runners.

"When you look at the table and see the stallions that head the list and take into account the opportunity they have had in terms of mare numbers and quality, it is great to see Elusive City holding his own against them," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "With Australia being our biggest export market, it is important for a stallion's progeny to perform there and we are seeing this with the likes of Elusive City," he said.  "They are certainly taking note of him over there and his yearlings have always been well received by Australian buyers," said Mark.  "This year John and Wayne Hawkes purchased a colt by Elusive City as did John Foote who paid $75,000 for one of our colts in the Festival Sale," he said.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

One of England's premier race meetings, Royal Ascot gets underway on the 15th of June and Haunui stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) will be represented with three runners throughout the course of the week.

The Richard Hannon-trained Soul City (Ire) (Elusive City) will line up in the Group One St James' Palace Stakes (1600m) on the opening day.  Placed third in the Group One Irish 2000 Guineas in his first start this preparation, Soul City has drawn barrier five and has the services of Richard Hughes aboard.

Friday will see Elusive City represented with two runners in the Group One Coronation Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies in the form of French 1000 Guineas-winner Elusive Wave (Ire) and dual stakes winner this season Nashmiah (Ire).

Elusive Wave is currently the highest rated filly of Europe and with her trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, having an outstanding big-race season, she comes into this event as one of the leading contenders.

Joining Elusive Wave in the field of 14 is the Clive Brittain-trained Nashmiah.  The winner of the Listed Lingfield Spring Cup (1400m) at her first start this season, Nashmiah bounced back from a foot abcess discovered after the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket to claim the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes (1600m) at York as a lead-in to the Group One Irish 1000 Guineas.  A non acceptor in that race due to the heavy going, Nashmiah will get another chance for Group One spoils on Friday.

"We will be watching the Royal Ascot results with a lot of interest," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "It is great to see Elusive City's three-year-olds competing at the highest level at some of the world's largest race meetings," he said.  "Elusive Wave has to be a very big chance on Friday and it will be interesting to see her up against the English and Irish fillies again given that she has been racing in France," said Mark. 

After being crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe, Elusive City's first Northern Hemisphere crop have kept the momentum rolling in their three-year-old season with the young sire currently the leading second crop sire of Europe.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 at a fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

After a six-month absence from the track, exciting sprinter Swift Alliance (Aus) (Don Eduardo) will be making a welcome return in the next few weeks.

The winner of two from three last season, Swift Alliance was subject to a large offer from Hong Kong which saw him miss the Sydney Autumn.  Back in the stable of Gai Waterhouse he has thrived and today won his second trial over 1050m at Randwick in impressive fashion.

"He has come back bigger and stronger," said Andrew Baddock, manager of Gooree Park Stud, owners of Swift Alliance and of course, his sire.  "He's followed the usual programme of having two trials before lining up at the races and he has won them easily," he said.  "Admittedly he is ready to race at a funny time of the year but that is just how things have panned out," said Andrew.  "We will line him up, see how he goes, and then map out a campaign from there," he said.  "All going well, he will be lining up in some of the nice races over the Spring," he said.

Another tip from the Gooree racing team is three-year-old filly Devilish Intent (Aus) (Don Eduardo) who lines up in the first race at the STC's Canterbury meeting tomorrow after finishing second at his first start this campaign.

The continued success of the progeny of Cape Cross (Ire) (Green Desert) bodes well for close relation Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic) who will be return to Haunui Farm in 2009 for his second Southern Hemisphere season.

Cape Cross has enjoyed another stellar season to date in the Northern Hemisphere with outstanding colt Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross) becoming the first horse in twenty years to land the 2000 Guineas/Epsom Derby double.  Sea The Stars followed in the footsteps of Champion filly Ouija Board (Ire) (Cape Cross) to become his sire's second Classic winner and seventh winner at the highest level.

Out of a half sister to Cape Cross, Iffraaj has the racetrack performance to compliment an already proven pedigree in this part of the world.  A three-time Group Two winner on turf, Iffraaj finished an agonisingly close second in the Group One July Cup after being held up in the running and he also set a track record at York for 7f (1400m) stopping the clock in 1.21:98.

"Cape Cross has produced high class horses each and every season and we have seen another one in Sea The Stars," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "We all recognise how successful Cape Cross was when crossed with New Zealand broodmares and that is why we are so excited about the prospects of Iffraaj," he said.  "Unlike a number of other stallions that are close relations to successful sires, Iffraaj has the racetrack performance to back up his pedigree credentials," said Mark.

Iffraaj has 103 mares due to foal to him in New Zealand this season, among them a number of stakes winners and stakes producers.  "When you look at the list of mares he has covered and do the statistics, 34% of the mares due to foal to him this season are stakes performers or stakes producers," said Mark.  "That is a good start for any stallion and will give breeders confidence in the quality of his progeny that will hit the ground from his first Southern Hemisphere crop," he said.

Iffraaj will stand at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $12,000 + GST.  He will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

At a time when debate is raging in our industry in regard to stallion service fees and the prospect of breeding a filly, it is pleasing to see Don Eduardo (NZ) (Zabeel) continuing his run of success producing three winners - all of the fairer sex - in the past week.

Jessardo (NZ) (Don Eduardo) got the ball rolling at Ruakaka winning in impressive fashion over a mile.  She now has two wins and second to her credit from only seven starts from the stable of Richard Collett.

Chief's Daughter (NZ) (Don Eduardo) added her name to Don Eduardo's list of winners, the three-year-old filly breaking maiden status over 1200m at her fourth start.

Mrs Gordon (NZ) (Don Eduardo), also a three-year-old filly, completed the trio of winners for her sire when victorious over 1400m at Rotorua just yesterday.  Like Chief's Daughter, it was her fourth start and first win.

"It is nice to see the results still rolling in," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "With the debate at the moment in regard to the value of breeding fillies, when you consider Don Eduardo's service fee of $7,000, getting a filly by him isn't necessarily a bad thing," he said.

"It is also interesting to note that Don Eduardo's three Group winners this season have all been mares - All In Black, Divine Rebel and Vickezzchardonnay," said Mark. 

Don Eduardo will stand at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $7,000 + GST.  He will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Group one-winner Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City) has been rated the leading filly of Europe by Timeform calculated on results up until the end of May.

Rated 118, she is the only filly to appear in the top ten three-year-olds of Europe with the list headed by English 2000 Guineas-winner Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross) with a rating of 128p which coincidentally, is also a significant result for Haunui given that close relation to Cape Cross, Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic), will be returning to stand his second Southern Hemisphere season at Haunui at the end of July.

"Elusive Wave has been rated higher than the likes of Irish 1000 Guineas-winner Again and which goes to show what high regard she is held in," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.

Crowned Champion First Season Sire of Europe in 2008, Elusive City has enjoyed a solid run of success in the Northern Hemisphere this season with a Group one winner in Elusive Wave, a Group One performer and stakes winner in Soul City (Ire) and stakes winner in the form of Nashmiah (Ire). 

"Last week Elusive City was listed as Europe's leading second crop sire and this week he has the highest rated filly in that part of the world as well," said Mark.  "He has kicked off his two-year-old season with three winners already and this past weekend three-year-old filly All The Nines just completed a hat trick of wins," said Mark.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST.  He will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) continues to make an impact with his first crop in the Northern Hemisphere heading the European Second Season Sires Table by over 700,000 pounds.

With 29 winners from 73 starters, Elusive City's three-year-olds have earned 1,668,090 pounds with Group One winner Elusive Wave (Ire) (Elusive City) and Group One performer Soul City (Ire) (Elusive City) leading the way.

"It is great to see that his first crop have come out and trained on at three in the Northern Hemisphere," said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm.  "When a stallion gets Crowned Champion First Season Sire, there is a bit of pressure that they come out and perform the following season but they have done that and, he is already notching up number of two-year-old winners as well," he said.

Top Five Second Season Sires in Europe

"When you consider the broodmare opportunity that Elusive City received in his first few seasons at stud in comparison to the other horses making up the top five, the results are even more significant so here's hoping he can keep up the momentum over the season," said Mark.

Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere, Elusive City will have his first runner in a Group One race when the Peter Moody-trained filly Returntosender (NZ) (Elusive City) takes her place in the Queensland Oaks (2400m) tomorrow.

Already stakes placed in her Queensland campaign, Returntosender has drawn barrier nine and will be ridden by Luke Nolen.

Elusive City will stand for a fee of $8,000 + GST in 2009 and will cover a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

The run of success continued for Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) this past weekend with the third placing of Soul City (Ire) (Elusive City) in the Group One Irish 2000 Guineas.

Lining up for the first time this preparation on a heavy track, Soul City showed he was up to true Group One company finishing third to two-time Group One-winning two-year-old Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer). 

It was hinted that Soul City may head toward the French Derby however trainer Richard Hannon has said that won't be happening and instead suggests that a tilt at the St James' Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot could be on the cards as well as a possible trip to France to chase further spoils after winning twice there at two.

The winner of the Listed Prix Francois Boutin (1400m), the Group Three Prix La Rochette (1400m) and the Goffs Million, Soul City is the second Group One performer in as many weeks for his sire after the success of Elusive Wave (Ire) in the French 2000 Guineas.

"It is fantastic to see these horses come out and prove that they have trained on at three after showing such promise as two-year-olds," said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "His Southern Hemisphere results have been really ticking along and I guess the only disappointment is that we are now heading into winter racing down here," he said.  "In saying that, if his progeny can keep getting these results, it will certainly keep Elusive City at the forefront of breeders' minds," said Mark.

Elusive City will stand at Haunui Farm in 2009 for an unchanged fee of $8,000 + GST and will serve a limited book of 120 mares.

As with many breeders, Haunui Farm is always looking at broodmare investment opportunities and there is one recent addition to the Haunui broodmare band that is proving a very good buy.

Owned in partnership by Haunui Farm and client Cathy Franich, Destined (GB) (Danehill) was purchased by astute bloodstock agent Paul Moroney at the Tattersall's December Sale.  "We had been looking for a Danehill mare with an international pedigree as we didn't have one in our broodmare band," said Mark.  "Paul had done his research as at the time, there wasn't too much happening in the first dam but he said that the fillies in the family had been well mated and there should be some nice results to come," he said.  "We took the punt and it is really starting to pay off," said Mark.

After exporting the mare to the Southern Hemisphere, Destined traveled to New Zealand via Australia where she was covered by Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells).  The resultant foal, her first, was a colt and was subsequently sold at this year's Karaka Premier Sale for $250,000 to the bid of South African Charles Laird.

In the meantime, Destined's pedigree was already boosted through the deeds of half sister Modern Look (GB) (Zamindar) who won two Group races in France as a three-year-old.  The current flat season in the Northern Hemisphere has revealed two further fillies showing some promise with half sister Photographic (GB) (Oasis Dream) the winner of two from three this preparation at three.  The other is also a three-year-old filly and by the same sire however, she is out of Destined's half sister Arabesque (GB) (Zafonic), who was a stakes winner herself and has already produced a stakes winner.  Named Bouvardia, she is trained by Henry Cecil and has also won two from three this preparation including the Heritage Handicap at Newmarket on Friday.  In all liklihood, Bourvardia will head to the Workingham Stakes, ironically a race won by Haunui stallion Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic).

"It is certainly exciting to see this happening so close in the mare's pedigree and is testament to Paul Moroney's judgement and research," said Mark.

Destined has a weanling colt by Zabeel (NZ) (Sir Tristram) on the ground and is due to foal to Iffraaj this season.

Haunui Farm stallion Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) will get another shot at Group One glory this weekend when the Group One Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas are run at The Curragh.

Just on two weeks ago, Elusive City notched his first Group One-winner when Elusive Wave (Ire) landed the Group One French 1000 Guineas (1600m) and with runners in both Classic’s at The Curragh this weekend has every chance of adding to that Group One success. 

On Saturday, Soul City (Ire) will take his place in the 17 horse field of the Irish 2000 Guineas.  The winner of the Listed Prix Francios Boutin (1400m), the Group Three Prix La Rochette (1400m) and the Goffs Million (1400m) at two, the colt hasn’t started since running in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) in October of last year.   

“We did not rush him in the Spring as we had made our minds up to miss the Newmarket 2000 Guineas and wait for Ireland where, as a Goffs Million winner, he qualifies for an extra million euro bonus if he wins” said trainer Richard Hannon.  “He is starting to come to himself and all things being equal, he will take his chance in Ireland,” he said. 

Sunday will see the running of the 1000 Guineas (1600m) at The Curragh where Elusive City will be represented by last start Listed-winner Nashmiah (Ire).  A stakes performer at two finishing second in the Group Three Oh So Sharp Stakes (1400m) at Newmarket, Nashmiah won her first start at three and claimed her first black type success in the Listed Spring Cup (1400m) at Lingfield.   

Trainer Clive Brittain discovered Nashmiah had a blind foot abcess after her run in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket however given time to recover, the filly showed her readiness for the Irish equivalent when taking out the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes (1400m) at York just last week. 

“Siring a Classic winner from his first crop was a great result, for ELusive City” said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm, referring to the success of Elusive Wave two weeks ago.  “To have two live chances in both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas in Ireland this weekend is a great testament to the horse and the quality racehorses that he is leaving,” he said.  “There is no doubt he is proving a very serious stallion prospect and it is exciting for Haunui and our partners to be involved with Elusive City,” said Mark. 

Elusive City will return to Haunui Farm in 2009 for his sixth season at stud.  Standing at a fee of $8,000 + GST, he will serve a limited book of 120 mares.  For more information, please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Nashmiah (Ire) (Elusive City) signaled her readiness for the Irish 1000 Guineas (1600m) at the The Curragh this coming weekend with victory in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Fillies' Stakes at York on Friday.

Stakes placed at two and the winner of the Listed Spring Cup at her first start this season, Nashmiah went from that race straight into the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and after finishing ninth, the filly was found to have a blind foot abcess.

Out to make ammends on Friday, Nashmiah was settled toward the rear of the field and once hitting the lead with around three furlongs to go, held on gamely to take the win.

After contesting the 1000 Guineas, it is likely Nashmiah will join Elusive City's French 1000 Guineas winner Elusive Wave (Ire) in the Group One Coronation Stakes field at the Royal Ascot meeting.

Soul City (Ire) (Elusive City), the winner of the Goffs Million last season, will line up in the 2000 Guineas for his first appearance for the 2009 racing season.

Trained by Richard Hannon, Soul City claimed a French stakes double at two last season when taking out the Listed Prix Francios Boutin (1400m) and Group Three Longchamp Prix La Rochette (1400m) before landing the Goffs Million at The Curragh.

Reports from the Northern Hemisphere suggest Soul City is well and truly on target for one of the season's Classic's after putting in some impressive work over the past few weeks.

"Having landed a Classic already, it would almost be too much to ask for either Nashmiah or Soul City to weigh in over the weekend but, you never know!" said Mark Chitty of Haunui Farm.  "Elusive City's progeny are footing it with the best and just to have runners in these Classic races is an achievement in itself," he said.

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a fee of $8,000 + GST.  For more information please feel free to contact Mark Chitty - 021 663 995 - or Shannon Taylor - 0212 855 513.

Elusive City (USA) (Elusive Quality) filly Elusive Wave (Ire) cemented her position as France’s top three-year-old filly when taking out the Group One Poule D’Essai Des Poulches (1600m) – the French equivalent to the 1000 Guineas – this past weekend. 

Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Elusive Wave was taken to the lead by jockey Christophe Lemaire and there she stayed for the duration of the race comfortably holding the challenge of second-placed Tamazirte (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) and race favourite Fantasia (GB) (Sadler’s Wells).  “Elusive Wave has to get all the credit she deserves,” said Rouget after the race.  “She is very easy to handle and she was very brave today, it is not easy to keep the lead over this trip,” he said, referring to the mile distance. 

The winner of five of her six starts, Elusive Wave has been beaten only once in her short career when finishing second to Proportional (GB) (Beat Hollow) in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) at two.  She turned the tables on that filly this weekend and in all likelihood, will head to Royal Ascot for the Group One Coronation Stakes (1600m). 

Elusive Wave was one of seven stakes performers in the Northern Hemisphere for Elusive City last season, helping to secure him the title of Champion First Season Sire of Europe.  He already has three stakes winners in the North this season, leaving no doubt they have trained on at three.  “To get a Classic winner from his first crop is fantastic,” said Mark Chitty, General Manager of Haunui Farm, Elusive City’s Southern Hemisphere base.  “He has been quick to get points on the board this season and it is always pleasing to see horses that have performed so well as two-year-olds, come out and do the job at three as that isn’t always the case,” said Mark.  “He has Soul City headed toward the Irish 2000 Guineas as well so it would be nice to think he could get the dream result,” said Mark. 

Whilst making headlines in the Northern Hemisphere, Elusive City has made some solid inroads with his first Southern Hemisphere crop this season with 22 three-year-old winners on the board to date.  Among them are the stakes winner and multiple stakes performer Metropolitan (NZ), Group placed two-year-old Spirit Of Unicorn (NZ) and, the Australian stakes performers Ahdashim (NZ) and Returntosender (NZ) with the latter headed toward the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m).  “It would be a lot to ask to get a Classic winner from his first crop in both hemispheres but you never know in this game” said Mark.   

Elusive City stands at Haunui Farm in 2009 for a service fee of $8,000 + GST.