It’s always exciting when your stable gains some new blood, and that’s certainly the case with the Vic Husslers’ latest acquisition, a stunning Pierro x Miss Que gelding.
The TRL bloodstock team is always searching for new talent and moved quickly when some good judges tipped them off to the potential of this Pierro 3-year-old.
He was bought at the Inglis June Online Sale for $75,000 plus GST. The Vic Husslers have been able to purchase 70% of him, meaning 70% of all prize money won will go to the tally on the TRL Ladder.
HOW DID IT ALL HAPPEN
Despite due diligence of the highest level, there are no guarantees in the racing game.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club originally purchased the Pierro x Miss Que at the 2023 Magic Millions sale for an impressive $600,000.
He’s been well educated by the astute Tim Boland at Limitless Lodge, a man who knows a potentially good horse when he sees one.
“He’s a lovely horse and everyone in the stable knows he has a motor,” Tim declared.
TRL CEO Steve Brown explains.
“On face value when you look at it from afar, it looks like it was a horse that the previous owners were possibly moving on due to a lack of ability. Our information, however, was that this is not the case. The HKJC has very, very stringent vetting rules. The rules are in place for good reason and work for their own system. Because they are so stringent, however, they also provide opportunity if any issue that is in question is acceptable risk as reviewed by TRL’s vet”.
“This was the case with this Pierro / Miss Que gelding. Hong Kong has exceptionally high veterinary standards and the club decided this horse did not meet every criteria they have in place. Which is not unusual, with many great gallopers being rejected on that basis for Hong Kong, before delivering on the big stage in this country,” said Brown.
TRL had your horse vetted, and your vet gave him the tick of approval.
GR.1 winning sire Pierro
Lindsay Park Euroa, Victoria.
WHO TRAINS
Your gelding will be trained by the high-flying Lindsay Park team.
Ben, Will, and now JD Hayes are rewriting record books, who at this stage of their careers are winning Group & Listed races at a greater pace than even their Hall of Fame father, David, and their grandfather, Colin.
“TRL were in advanced discussions on another yearling opportunity for the Husslers with the Lindsay Park team when this opportunity presented.
“Given the work they had put into the brewing partnership, when TRL’s Bloodstock Team suggested they would instead prefer to pounce on what we trust may prove a pretty exciting opportunity here, we thought it was only fair that this horse was trained by the Hayes team.
“TRL wants to continue to build ongoing partnerships with the best trainers in Victoria. With this objective in mind, it appeared the right thing to do,” Steve said.
Lindsay Park is delighted to have such a well-bred, athletic horse joining their stable.
WHY HASN’T HE RACED SO FAR
It is the standard practice of his previous owners to take their time with the yearlings they have acquired. As Steve explains, there is nothing sinister about why your horse hasn’t been to the races yet.
“There is very limited 2yo Racing in Hong Kong, along with the fact that Pierro’s progeny, as a rule, are generally not typically early comers. We’d suggest the value in this horse for the Husslers is also the significant training investment his previous owners have invested in him in getting him to the ready-to-race stage.” Brown said.
Did you know that Everest winner Think About It didn’t have his first start until he was a July 30 3yo? He won 11 races at $11.5m in prize money for his owners.
WHEN DO WE SEE HIM
The short answer to when we see him in Vic Husslers’ colours is – very shortly.
With the expectation that the horse was going to Hong Kong, he’s been in full work and will be transferred to Lindsay Park this week, and will be trialing shortly
WHAT’S NEXT
The naming process is now underway. If you haven’t got involved yet, please do.
You can take some inspiration from what best sums up the spirit of the Vic Husslers or what makes you proud of your state. All names will be considered, and a top ten will then be decided on for voting.
We will keep you informed on his arrival and Lindsay Park and provide further video reports.
Go Husslers!