 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Go Bloodstock’s recent success with Lady Of Camelot, winner of the 2023 Golden Slipper, has catapulted them into the spotlight and set the stage for ambitious plans, including a tilt at The Everest. Owned by New Zealand’s leading businessman Sir Owen Glenn, Go Bloodstock has rapidly ascended to become a major player in the Australasian racing and breeding industry with numerous Group winning champions, including Criterion, Comin Through, Pure Elation, Dame Giselle, Rise Of The Masses, Queen Of The Ball.
With the Golden Slipper trophy proudly on display, director at Go Bloodstock since 2018, Steve O'Connor, and his team have set their sights on an even loftier goal: The Everest, Australia's richest race and the ultimate test of sprinting prowess.
"We believe Lady Of Camelot has the attributes to be a very solid bet in The Everest," O'Connor states confidently. "Her profile as an up-and-coming three-year-old is good for the race. Historically, such horses have had a good record in The Everest benefiting from the weight allowance."
The team's confidence is not unfounded. Yes Yes Yes and Giga Kick won the Everest as three-year-olds.
Lady Of Camelot has already proven herself at the highest level, not just in Sydney but also in Melbourne, where she finished second in the Blue Diamond Stakes. O'Connor elaborates on her versatility, "We know she's good in Sydney, the 1200-metre distance suits, and she is in form having performed well on her 3yo seasonal debut. In a year that lacks an obvious standout established sprinter, I think she is high on the list of up-and-coming talents."
The team's preparation for The Everest is meticulous. "We're giving her a light spring campaign to keep her fresh," O'Connor explains. "She'll likely have one lead-up run in Sydney, which will sharpen her up for the big day. It's all about finding that perfect balance between fitness and freshness."
"The plan is that she'll run once more before The Everest. She ran last Saturday in Melbourne and placed in a Group One over 1000 meters at Moonee Valley. She was a bit unlucky and got stopped in her run. She might have finished closer, maybe even competed for the win if she had a clear run."
While The Everest looms large on the horizon, Sir Owen Glenn's ambitions for Lady Of Camelot extend far beyond Australian shores. O'Connor reveals plans that could see the filly competing on the world stage.
"Sir Owen is very much a sporting man," O'Connor explains. "He loves to see his horses race, and with a good filly like Lady Of Camelot, as a Golden Slipper winner, she has great value no matter what route she now takes. We're happy to take on all challenges and race our horses against the best, domestically and internationally."
This vision includes potential targets such as the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai and even a trip to the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in England. O'Connor elaborates on the rationale behind this approach.
"International success not only enhances the horse's value but also puts Go Bloodstock on the world stage. It opens up new opportunities for partnerships and future racing and breeding ventures."
The team is aware of the challenges posed by international campaigns. "We're working closely with experienced veterinarians and travel experts to ensure Lady Of Camelot's wellbeing during any potential overseas campaigns," O'Connor assures. "Every detail is being considered, from quarantine protocols to acclimatisation strategies."
Lady Of Camelot's journey from Golden Slipper glory to potential Everest contender began with her breathtaking victory in Australia's premier race for two-year-olds. O'Connor reflects on the filly's special qualities,
"Lady Of Camelot has always been special. She's the third offspring of Miss Debutante, who Sir Owen also raced, and both her older siblings won group races as two-year-olds. Physically, she's always been a little larger and taller than the other two."
This physical advantage has translated into remarkable success on the track, with the Golden Slipper victory bringing a record eighth win to trainer Gai Waterhouse, a second for co-trainer Adrian Bott, and a maiden victory for Sir Owen Glenn's Go Bloodstock. Now, the team sets their sights on The Everest.
O'Connor elaborates on the significance of the Golden Slipper win and its implications for The Everest, "It was a moment that encapsulated the dreams and hard work of our entire team. Winning a race like the Golden Slipper isn't just about the horse - it's about Sir Owen achieving a lifetime goal, the entire Go Bloodstock team, the trainers, the jockeys, and everyone behind the scenes who contributed to this success. This victory gives us confidence in Lady Of Camelot's ability to compete at the highest level, making her a strong contender for The Everest."
Lady Of Camelot's triumph is not just a testament to her ability but also to Go Bloodstock's astute breeding decisions. Her sire, Written Tycoon, has proven to be a consistent producer of top-class sprinters, while her dam, Miss Debutante, has now produced three Group race winners from three foals.
"We mated her to a stallion who we thought could give the yearling a bit of size, and complement her speed and her neatness," O'Connor explains. "Written Tycoon complemented her quite well. It worked out well - we got really good physical form from that match."
 |
Lady Of Camelot may be the current star but Go Bloodstock's ambitions extend far beyond a single horse. Under Glenn's leadership and O'Connor's guidance, the operation has been steadily building a formidable stable of talent.
"We have a variety of horses that we breed ourselves, purchase or race in partnership," O'Connor shares. "We're shareholders in Storm Boy, who placed in the Golden Slipper this year. He's a very exciting three-year-old colt by Justify."
The stable's strength extends beyond sprinters. O'Connor speaks enthusiastically about Dawn Service, another son of Justify and a promising miler targeting the Guineas who won stakes race last weekend. O’Connor is also excited by a recent European acquisition, Wooten Verni, a son of Wootton Bassett with aspirations for middle-distance glory.
"We recently purchased Wooten Verni in France," O'Connor reveals. "We partnered with Chris Waller, the champion trainer here, and we hope he's going to be a top middle-distance horse in the future. Historically, horses like him have done really well down here."
This diverse portfolio of talent is a testament to Go Bloodstock's strategic approach to breeding and racing. "Our ultimate aim," O'Connor explains, "is to breed horses that really hold their value both individually and as part of a family line who can return to our broodmare band and stallion roster upon completion of their racing careers."
The success of this strategy is evident in the market's response to Go Bloodstock's breeding program. Lady Of Camelot's Group winning half-sister, Platinum Jubilee, who Go Bloodstock raced in partnership, sold for $3.5 million AUD recently, with Go Bloodstock retaining their share.
"We know that the family is held in very high regard on a global scale," O'Connor states proudly. "We aspire to create these blue-chip families, and that has certainly worked out with Miss Debutante."
O'Connor delves deeper into their value creation strategy. "We're not just looking at immediate returns. We're building families that will be sought after by breeders and owners worldwide. This long-term approach allows us to weather the inevitable ups and downs of the racing industry."
The operation also invests heavily in state-of-the-art facilities and expert staff to ensure their horses receive the best care possible. "Quality care translates to quality performances on the track, which in turn enhances the value of our bloodstock," O'Connor notes.
As our conversation draws to a close, O'Connor reflects on his partnership with Sir Owen Glenn. It's a collaboration that began five years ago when Glenn was looking to restructure his business entities and focus more intensively on his equine interests.
"When I met Sir Owen, I knew within minutes I had to work for him," O'Connor recalls warmly. "He knew exactly what he wanted. Sir Owen has big goals and ideas and is happy to back them up and take on the challenge of taking on the world sport of racing."
O'Connor credits much of the operation's success to Sir Owen's willingness to invest in quality bloodstock and infrastructure. "Sir Owen understands that success in this industry requires patience and significant investment. He's committed to building something truly world-class, and we feel we have done that."
As Lady Of Camelot prepares for her next challenge in The Everest, Go Bloodstock continues to strengthen its position in the Australian racing industry. The team's ambitions for the filly extend beyond this prestigious domestic target, with plans for an international campaign the following year.
O'Connor outlines their strategy: "Our primary focus is on The Everest this year. It has become the biggest race in Australia, and we believe Lady Of Camelot has what it takes to be competitive there. Following that, we're excited about the prospect of showcasing her talent on the international stage next year."
While the road ahead is uncertain, O'Connor and Sir Owen Glenn's strategic approach to breeding and racing positions them well in the competitive world of racing. The coming months will reveal whether Lady Of Camelot can indeed scale the heights they envision for her.