March 23 is shaping up as not just racing’s biggest early day of the year, but breeding’s as well.
And it could very well be historical.
It is of course Golden Slipper day, the 1200m race this year worth $3.5million.
It’s also sees the running of the G1 George Ryder Stakes, that 1500m worth $1million.
They highlight the card.
And here’s the thing.
Despite the fact we are seeing outstanding juveniles across Australia emerge, none have looked as good as Godolphin’s Tassort.
And despite the fact WINX is the GOAT and may also be at this meeting, the other older star in Australia right now is Godolphin’s Alizee.
There is every chance both Tassort and Alizee can win those respective races: Tassort in the Golden Slipper and Alizee in the George Ryder.
And here’s where breeders salivate.
Never in the history of Australian racing have progeny from the same dam won those races on the same day!
Tassort is by Brazen Beau from the incredible Blue Hen mare Essaouira. And Alizee is by Sepoy from Essaouira.
This broodmare is out of this world good.
She is also the mother of brilliant Gr 1 winner Asterb and the multiple stakes placed Mogador.
There is also an unraced youngster coming through with considerable talent called Leopard.
Many things can happen before March 23. Alizee may get an invite to run in the $5million All Star Mile at Flemington which is set for March 15.
She could still come back and run in the George Ryder, but she may encounter Winx.
Tassort, is a cut above the others of his cohort and just needs to run at his best.
Incidentally, the word Essaouira is Arabic and is the title of a city formerly known as Mogador, in the western Moroccan economic region of Marrakesh-Safi, on the Atlantic coast.
The modern name means “the little rampart”, a reference to the fortress walls that still enclose part of the city.
For those planning future betting raids, Essaouira has an unnamed yearling on the ground by Medaglia D’oro, a weanling also by Medaglia D’oro and is in foal to Sepoy again.
