3 minute read

Sydney Cup victor Grand Marshal is the 19th Group One winner worldwide for Dansili, the UK-based son of Danehill who has made his mark in Australia thanks to the foresight of trainer Chris Waller.

Waller’s decision to embark on a program of importing tried horses in big numbers from the northern hemisphere has changed the face of staying races in Australia as many other trainers have followed suit, much to the benefit of our local racing.

The proof lies in the Sydney Cup results as Grand Marshal is the fourth European import in the last five years to win the race.

Waller has enjoyed much success with his imports by Dansili, the best of them previously being triple G1 winner Foreteller and G2 winners Permit and Trick Of Light, an excellent record for a stallion that never shuttled to Australia.

Standing at Banstead Manor Stud on a fee of 100,000 pounds, Dansili’s northern hemisphere stars include the champion Harbinger, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Rail Link and multiple G1-winning filly The Fugue.

The 5YO gelding Grand Marshal (Dansili x Margarula by Doyoun) was formerly trained by Roger Charlton for Lady Rothschild and raced under the name Magog.

He won three times at two and three before he was purchased privately by agent Mick Flanagan on behalf of Waller.

Grand Marshal has now won four races in Australia and was G2 placed in the Chairman's Handicap at Randwick in his start prior to the Sydney Cup.

His is stoutly bred as his dam Margarula won the G1 Irish Oaks and is a daughter of noted staying influence Doyoun. Margarula’s dam is by Sir Ivor.

At stud Margarula has produced four winners from five runners including the Sadler's Wells mare Set The Scene, dam of Dansili’s winner and Listed-placed Cloudscape.

It was a Sydney Cup quinella for Waller as Grand Marshal got up in the last stride to beat his NZ-bred stablemate Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital) under desperate riding from 52-year-old champion jockey Jim Cassidy.

It was the second Sydney Cup win for Waller after his 2011 victory with another import Stand To Gain (Hawk Wing) and the third win in the race for Cassidy, who has now ridden 103 G1 winners.