Americain’s owners breed a winning Weir double

The Americain’s are certainly hitting their straps as three-year-olds, with three Australian winners in the first month of the new racing season. With two talented Victorian winners, in the past three days from the Weir stable, the future is looking bright.

“We are seeing the Americain’s physically coming of age and getting the results on the board. It is great to see the two owners of Americain both breeding a winner so early in the season, and we are looking forward to a fruitful and successful spring,” Adam Sangster enthused.

The first winner Queen Consort, won in Ipswich at her second start when stepping up in distance for trainer John Zielke, and could add another win for the month when the filly steps out again tomorrow.

Amerock was the second Americain to salute and the first of the Weir runners, breaking his maiden impressively at Donald on Saturday. Starting as the favourite, Amerock had no luck, having to sit three wide throughout the race but showed his ability to take the lead down the straight.

Bred and part owned by Colleen Bamford from Daisy Hill Breeding, he was sold to Mark Hoare from Pacific Bloodstock for $30,000 at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

“I can remember Mark coming out and seeing him as a foal and genuinely liking him. He was determined that he was going to buy him, and after his successful bid, we were thrilled to stay in as owners, along with other good friends and enjoy the ride.” Colleen said.

“Mark does a great job of keeping everyone in the loop. He videos the trials and attends trackwork, and catches Darren Weir’s comment on his progress. Considering the numbers Darren trains, it’s amazing how well he knows each horse; his observations are just spot on.”

Amerock is from the beautifully bred Zabeel mare Miss Shamrock, is a half sister to Victorian stallion Fighting Sun through her Group 1 Oaks winning dam Irish Darling.

“We purchased half a dozen mares specifically for Americain, and I believe that Zabeel is going to be the most brilliant broodmare sire ever. We sold a lovely filly this year from Miss Shamrock at Premier, that we have retained an interest in with some of my husband Kevin’s golfing mates. We love being involved as breeders and owners,” Bamford said.

Amerock has pulled up very well from his run will now be headed to some nice races in the spring, including a possible start in the Morphettville Guineas which would gain some important black type for Miss Shamrock.

On Tuesday the Americain – Weir double was achieved when American Sunday won over 1300 metres at Mildura. Darren Weir’s stable representative Darren Murphy was thrilled to see American Sunday win in the style he did and believes they have a very nice staying horse going forward.

American Sunday showed a great deal of upside in his win, and is undeniably based at the best stable to capitalise on that promise.

“Boss expected him to settle fourth, but they went quite sharp early for the distance. It was good that Harry kept him comfortable, as he could then ask him to quicken and be strong through the line. Just terrific to see him win in these colours, the silks of Gerry Ryan, and John Sutcliff, Les Wharlow and Peter Maher, a great syndicate of owners and it is very pleasing for the stallion Americain.”

Jockey Harry Coffey was also impressed with American Sunday’s debut performance.

“Although he got squeezed out at the start, instead of pushing him up into a spot where he wouldn’t be happy, I just stayed out the back and let him settle. I tacked onto the field at the 600m and he sustained a good run to the line. I was surprised how well he accelerated and he put them away by a couple of lengths in the end,” Coffey said.

When Americain Sunday was bought by Darren Weir for $25,000 at the Inglis 2015 Yearling Sale from the Swettenham Stud draft, part owner John Sutcliff was sitting with his old friend of Gerry Ryan, enjoying the hospitality in the Swettenham Stud marquee.

“We decided at the time that we would buy him back and found Darren straight away to tell him we would take him. Lucky we did, as he has actually paid for himself on his debut win. Thanks to the VOBIS Gold bonus it has been a good day. It doesn’t often happen, and I’ve had 30 or 40 horses, so in fact very rarely, but you certainly appreciate it when it does!” Sutcliff said.

There are high hopes for this son of Americain, as straight after the win text messages were flying that connections are looking to the spring.

“I am as pleased for Adam as much as ourselves and I really hope that Americain takes off for both Gerry and Adam. Now for the Derby.”

“He is bred to stay being out of a Redoute’s mare Another Sunday. His grand dam, Bella Sunday is by Sunday Silence, and the third dam is by Rory’s Jester, hence the chestnut and white blaze. I think his colour is a throw back to Rory’s, who stood at Swettenham Stud, then known as Collingrove Stud, which makes a nice story.”

My mare Manhattan Treasure, has a lovely Americain two-year-old, that is down at Julian Welsh’s Booralite Park being broken in, and as one of Victoria’s most in-demand breakers he has commented how much he likes our Americain, which is very pleasing.”

By all reports the Americain’s are certainly going well and with an impressive group now starting to show their quality on tracks around Australia, it looks to be a very good spring indeed for the stunning son of Dynaformer.

Americain will stand this season at Victoria’s premier nursery, Swettenham Stud for the competitive fee of $11,000 (Inc. GST)