24 Jun 2007
Cambridge Stud's shuttle sire, Stravinsky (USA) (Nureyev x Fire The Groom by Blushing Groom) registered his fifth individual Gr.1 winner on Saturday when the courageous Soldier's Tale (USA) got up in the final stride to defeat the champion Australian raider, Takeover Target in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot.
Having twice knocked on death's door, Soldier's Tale (USA) is the stable favourite for trainer Jeremy Noseda, who was justifiably delighted with the horse's first Gr.1 win.
"He's an honest, special horse that is just all heart", said Noseda after the win.
Having previously been plagued with illness and injury, Soldier's Tale (USA) missed the whole of 2006, and subsequently entered Saturday's feature with just the seven previous career starts.
Recommending the six-year-old to the task, however, was the fact that from these limited starts, he had obtained three wins and three placings, including lead-up placings in the Gr.2 Duke of York Stakes on May 16, and in the Listed Haydock John of Gaunt Stakes on June 7.
The entire's Gr.1 winning sire Stravinsky (USA) commenced stud duties at Cambridge Stud in 2000 and since this time has produced the four Gr.1 winners Serenade Rose (NZ), Captivate (NZ), Keeninsky (NZ) and Balmont along with 35 other stakes winners.
Stravinsky (USA) was awarded the Champion NZ Sire of 2YO's in 2005/06 and enjoys a 63 percent runners-to-winners ratio having had 342 winners from 542 to race.
Interestingly, Soldier's Tale (USA) is bred on a similar cross to the three time Australian Gr.1 winner Serenade Rose (AUS).
Soldier's Tale (USA) is from the Gr.3 placed mare Myrtle (GB), a daughter of Batshoof (IRE), who is by the outstanding sire Sadler's Wells (USA). Alternatively, Serenade Rose (AUS) is out of the Sadler's Wells (USA) mare, Rose of Tralee (AUS).
Having purchased Rose of Tralee (AUS) in 2006, the win provided an additional fillip for Cambridge Stud.
To date Rose of Tralee (AUS) has produced three winners from four foals to race and should have every chance of extending this tally with the Redoute's Choice (AUS) foal she currently carries.
Stravinsky (USA) will stand at Cambridge Stud for NZ$40,000 plus GST in 2007.