Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Following Tuesday’s announcement, the Go Bloodstock-bred Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar) is set to be presented by the Newgate Consignment at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in May The Thoroughbred Report spoke with Steve O’Connor of Go Bloodstock to delve deeper into the background of the filly’s half-sister, Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon), who clinched the G1 Golden Slipper victory last Saturday.
Saturday marked a significant milestone for Sir Owen Glenn’s Go Bloodstock. Just twelve months prior, the operation had high hopes pinned on Red Resistance (Russian Revolution) for the 2023 G1 Golden Slipper.
Under the guidance of trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, this colt turned heads with a commendable victory in the G3 Canonbury S. He followed this with a close finish behind the subsequent G1 Newmarket H. winner, Cylinder (Exceed And Excel), and the triple Group 1 victor, Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}), in the G2 Todman S.
However, a twist of fate led to Red Resistance being withdrawn from the Golden Slipper on race morning due to an elevated temperature. Yet, on Saturday, Sir Owen Glenn's distinctive yellow and white-checked silks were draped in Slipper glory thanks to the homebred filly, Lady Of Camelot.
Red Resistance | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Much of the pre-race speculation revolved around which colt would assert dominance in the Golden Slipper, with many overlooking the fillies as potentially weaker contenders. Despite being somewhat underestimated by the form experts, Lady Of Camelot brought formidable form into the race.
Trained, like Red Resistance, by Waterhouse and Bott, Lady Of Camelot began her career with a fourth-place finish in the G3 Gimcrack S. in the spring, trailing behind the impressive Manaal (Tassort). Upon resuming in the autumn, she showcased her talent with a dominant win in the G3 Widden S. and a narrow miss behind Hayasugi (Royal Meeting {Ire}) in the G1 Blue Diamond S. in Melbourne.
In her return to Sydney, the filly was piloted by Blake Shinn, securing his second G1 Golden Slipper victory as Lady Of Camelot outpaced the colts Coleman (Pierata) and Storm Boy (Justify {USA}).
Lady Of Camelot (yellow silks) winning the G1 Golden Slipper | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Notably, Shinn's first Golden Slipper win was aboard Capitalist, a son of Written Tycoon now retired to Newgate Farm and enjoying a successful stud career. It’s worth mentioning that Newgate Farm is also the residence of Lady Of Camelot's exceptional dam, Miss Debutante (Fastnet Rock).
O’Connor told The Thoroughbred Report, “It was a really fantastic day on Saturday, and having my family there made it even more special. Winning a Golden Slipper is an immense thrill.
“We were there last year with our homebred Red Resistance, but unfortunately, he was scratched on race morning due to a temperature. So, returning to Rosehill 12 months later and winning with our homebred filly, Lady Of Camelot, means a lot to both myself and Sir Owen Glenn.”
Steve O'Connor | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
O’Connor added, “We came into the Golden Slipper with confidence in the filly’s form. Early in the season, it seemed like the colts had the edge. However, after the Blue Diamond, where fillies secured prominent places, and observing Lady Of Camelot's improvement, our confidence grew.
“Blake Shinn was also optimistic, believing she would put in a strong performance. He thought that if she was within two lengths coming off the bend, she’d have a significant chance. Lady Of Camelot was truly impressive, and we were unsure how good Storm Boy or Switzerland were on the day.
“Fortunately, Lady Of Camelot proved to be the superior horse on this occasion. She was pulling away from them at the finish, which was thrilling to watch and a great moment for our business.
“... Lady Of Camelot proved to be the superior horse on this occasion. She was pulling away from them at the finish, which was thrilling to watch and a great moment for our business.” - Steve O’Connor
“Being associated with her and having a homebred win the G1 Golden Slipper is incredibly special; Sir Owen and I truly appreciate the magnitude of this achievement.”
Queen on type
Lady Of Camelot is the third foal from the sensational Miss Debutante. The exceptional producer’s first three foals - Queen Of The Ball, Platinum Jubilee (Zoustar), and Lady Of Camelot - have all been stakes winners.
The daughter of Written Tycoon was retained by Go Bloodstock. Although all of Miss Debutante’s foals have been standouts, O’Connor personally feels that Lady Of Camelot has been the best from a type perspective.
“I think at this stage of her career, it would be hard to find a more successful broodmare than Miss Debutante. After Lady Of Camelot won the Widden (S.), many people told me they can’t remember a mare whose first three foals are all Group winners, let alone 2-year-old Group winners.
“Now she’s got that Group 1 on the record, and in none other than the Golden Slipper. It’s unbelievable.
“Now she’s (Miss Debutante) got that Group 1 on the record, and in none other than the Golden Slipper. It’s unbelievable.” - Steve O'Connor
“I personally felt that Lady Of Camelot was the best physical of the three. She always had a bit more size and strength. Just a quality filly and given how the family was then starting to take off, she’s the kind of filly that we want in the broodmare band going forward, and it couldn’t have worked out better.”
Miss Debutante has an unnamed yearling colt by Flying Artie in education with Matt Vella and a foaled filly by I Am Invincible born in October. She was served by Zoustar in the spring but missed.
Miss Debutante | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“The Flying Artie colt just finished his education with Matt Vella. Matt worked for us at Glenhaven when we owned the property at Hawkesbury. He’s been very close with Sir Owen and the Go Bloodstock business.
“Matt still does all of the education and the pre-training of our horses, including Lady Of Camelot. He does a great job, and his feedback on the Flying Artie colt is that he’s very light on his feet, a very forward and athletic colt. He’s showing a lot of precocity, which is basically what every foal of Miss Debutante has shown.
“Matt still does all of the education and the pre-training of our horses, including Lady Of Camelot. He does a great job, and his feedback on the Flying Artie colt is that he’s very light on his feet, a very forward and athletic colt. He’s showing a lot of precocity, which is basically what every foal of Miss Debutante has shown.” - Steve O'Connor
“Miss Debutante has that sharpness about her, and her foals seem to inherit it. He’s a similar type, so given her history, he has to be a great chance. The I Am Invincible weanling would be as good a foal as she’s had. The filly would be the best foal in our crop. So we’re excited to see what she can do.”
Although breeding decisions are several months away from being locked in, Written Tycoon arguably must rate as a leading contender to suit Miss Debutante again.
“We felt Written Tycoon suited her back then, and even more so now. We will have a chat with the team at Yulong and speak to Sir Owen about what he wants to do.
Written Tycoon | Standing at Yulong
“Queen Of The Ball is going to be retired at the end of this season, and she may be served overseas, and we might keep her dam in Australia. Of course, Written Tycoon will be high on the agenda for her. Nothing is locked in, but it’s a very good problem to have trying to line up where these mares will go.”
Attention on quality
O’Connor explained that Sir Owen Glenn’s ethos is to support his broodmare band with quality stallions, whether those stallions stand domestically or internationally. The intention is to compete and hopefully win races of the calibre of the Golden Slipper and Cox Plate.
“I’ve been with Sir Owen for five years, and he’s very clear on what he wants and his goals. He aims to build an elite broodmare band and compete in races like the Golden Slipper, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup. Those races hold significant meaning for him and have captivated him since his youth. When he achieves results in those races, such as on Saturday, whether it’s a colt or filly, they’re the kind of stock that can support the business for generations. That’s very much part of what we’re trying to create.”
Between New Zealand and Australia, Sir Owen Glenn has 40 broodmares on the books.
Sir Owen Glenn | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“We have about 35 in Australia and another five or so in New Zealand. We aim to keep our numbers between 30 and 40. Every year we plan for 30, but we always end up with 40 mares. We’re fortunate to have mares like Queen Of The Ball, Lady Of Camelot, and Hip Hip Hurrah in the system. It’s a good number, necessary because we are active participants in the Newgate Syndicate.
“Henry (Field) has had some good years, and there are horses like Stay Inside, Russian Revolution, and In The Congo whom we support. So, we need a critical mass of mares to support that equity and give those stallions opportunities.
“We aim to provide opportunities for stallions, such as Red Resistance, which has given Russian Revolution a boost. Steel City for Merchant Navy was another example. We try to give stallions a chance. Speaking of Red Resistance, who was scratched on Slipper Day again, this time at the barriers – which must be a historical feat in itself.
Russian Revolution | Standing at Newgate Farm
“He’s a colt that has faced setbacks, but he’s immensely talented. Prior to missing the spring, we were discussing The Everest with slot holders. So, that's the kind of regard we hold him in.
“Our focus now is getting him back to his best and showcasing his abilities to the public.
“He's a beautiful, big, dark horse, and we know he’s elite. We just need to prove that he still is, and hopefully, he can deliver on that promise in the coming weeks.”
“He's (Red Resistance) a beautiful, big, dark horse, and we know he’s elite. We just need to prove that he still is, and hopefully, he can deliver on that promise in the coming weeks.” - Steve O'Connor
Regarding travelling mares abroad for the breeding season, O’Connor added, “Sir Owen has always had a global vision, likely a product of his global business success. He's applied that ethos to horses. We're fortunate to have mares in the portfolio from Europe and Japan. We’re not hesitant to support elite stallions like Frankel, and even Justify is probably in that bracket now.
“We select stallions carefully. Frankel has proven himself in Australia. Fortunately, we have the quality of mares to justify the cost of sending them overseas, and we’re not afraid to do so.
“That’s one thing about Sir Owen – he’s never been afraid to support his mares. He’s acquired quality mares and supported them. Go Bloodstock has always been strong in this regard. We invest heavily in our elite mares to ensure they have every opportunity to succeed.”
Sires’ on the cards for Camelot
The success of the Golden Slipper is a just reward for the investment Go Bloodstock has made in the industry. The filly’s story isn’t over, with the possibility she could continue towards the G1 Sires’ Produce.
“Criterion will always hold a special place in Sir Owen’s heart. He was one of those horses that ran in Slippers, Derbys, and Melbourne Cups. A unique and tough horse.
“But Lady Of Camelot is also very dear to Sir Owen. I believe she’s right up there with the most important horses to him. The Slipper is a crucial race for Sir Owen. He understands the significance and what it means to breed a Golden Slipper winner.
“But Lady Of Camelot is also very dear to Sir Owen. I believe she’s right up there with the most important horses to him. The Slipper is a crucial race for Sir Owen. He understands the significance and what it means to breed a Golden Slipper winner.” - Steve O' Connor
“It has been one of the goals of his breeding program, and we couldn’t be happier to achieve it.”
Regarding the potential auctioning of Lady Of Camelot in the future, O’Connor said, “We never say never. That decision would be up to Sir Owen. At this stage, she’s a filly we’re excited to race on.
“She’s doing great, and considering the way she finished off on Saturday, as strong as anything in the contest, we’re seriously considering the Sires’ Produce for her.
“Gai (Waterhouse) reports that she’s licking the bin clean and is in excellent health. Sir Owen is a sportsman, and as long as the horses indicate they’re fine, happy, and healthy, we’re content to race.”
