Almanzor’s Ellerslie reminder of his sire prowess
High-profile Cambridge Stud resident stallion Almanzor enjoyed a memorable weekend, both on and off the track.
The internationally successful sire son of Wootton Bassett was a major player at Ellerslie where his daughters Pounce and Asturia played starring roles on Saturday, while his son First Five was honoured at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards the following evening.
The David Greene-trained First Five was named Champion Sprinter-miler courtesy of his Group One victories in the Telegraph (1200m) and the BCD Group Sprint (1400m).
Homebred Pounce drew attention to her future prospects of higher honours when the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared filly trounced her rivals in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1200m) in the hands of champion jockey Craig Grylls.
She was sold through Cambridge Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale with Wexford Stables signing the ticket at $110,000 for the first foal of Caminata.
“As time has gone by, we’ve learned what works best for Almanzor and he loves mares with Danehill and Zabeel in the pedigrees especially,” said Cambridge Stud’s Head of Sales and Nominations Scott Calder.
“Pounce is out of a Darci Brahma mare who combines both of those bloodlines, so it’s nice when a plan comes together.”
A brother to Pounce will be offered at the 2027 yearling sale, while the farm has retained a two-year-old half-sister to Pounce by Embellish named Alta Via, with the dam due to shortly foal to Almanzor.
