Aust. owners buy Sir Tristram’s half-brother

Press, 8 January 1983, Page 16

Aust. owners buy Sir Tristram’s half-brother

NZPA Perth Perth merchant banker Mr Laurie Connell, has bought one of the world’s most valuable foals — a half-brother to sensational sire Sir Tristram — for a figure believed to be close to $1 million. Mr Connell has bought the seven month old American colt in partnership with a Sydney financier, Mr Brian Yuill. The colt, by new - sire, Muscovite, from Isolt, was bred by Vai Hollingsworth at his Valkyre Stud in Georgetown. Kentucky. Sir Tristram, by Sir Ivor from Isolt, stands in New Zealand at Mr Patrick Hogan's Cambridge stud and recently was the subject of a $22 million offer from an American.

He is the sire of Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup winner, Gurner’s Lane, Grosvenor (Victoria Derby and Caulfield Guineas), Cossack Prince (Sandown

Guineas). Dalmacia (Epsom Handicap) and Sovereign Red (Australian Derby).

In a sensational start to the 1982-83 season, it took Sir Tristram’s progeny only 15 weeks to win $1.2 million in stake money — making him the first stallion to pass the million dollar mark in Australia in a season.

The colt will do his racing in either America or England and will stand at stud in Australia. No trainer has been picked out for him. The impact Sir Tristram has had on the breeding scene this year should ensure that Mr Connell’s latest purchase is a valuable stud commodity.

Muscovite, a son of champion sir Nijinsky 11, was trained in Ireland by Vincent O’Brien. His wins included the Whitehall Stakes (Group III) and he now stands at Spendthrift Farm, in Kentucky.