3 minute read

Breeder and part-owner Bert Vieira could have been excused for swinging from the ceiling after his colt Trapeze Artist won the G1 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill.

It was the first Group One success for Vieira after years of investing in breeding and racing his homebred products.

“I’ve spent millions on this game, and don’t regret any of it but everyone wants that Group One-winning colt and I can now say I’ve got that,’’ Vieira said.

“I’ve been very lucky. He’s always been a beautiful horse right from the start so it was great that I got to race him and give him to the best trainer of Snitzels in Gerald Ryan.

“He won like a good horse. Bring on the rest of the carnival.’’

Trapeze Artist (Snitzel x Treppes by Domesday) was bred and is raced by the Vieira Group and has now won three times in eight starts with one placing for prize money of $957,750.

He was offered by the Vieira Group at the 2016 Australian Easter Yearling Sale but was passed in for $260,000 with a reserve of $300,000.

Trapeze Artist is the second living foal out of Treppes, a placed half-sister to G1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Crawl (Dr Grace) and his Listed-winning brother Old Man (Dr Grace), who was placed at three before being retired to stud.

Treppes is also a half-sister to Step (Grand Lodge), the dam of G2 Moonee Valley Vase winner and G1 placed Marching (Commands) and Listed winner Gait (Anabaa).

Trapeze Artist is the first winner for his dam, who foaled a colt by Zoustar last spring who subsequently died in a paddock accident.

She is due to produce a foal by Wandjina next month.

Treppes was purchased by Connolly Bloodstock from a Darley reduction in 2011 for $55,000 before she was secured by Vieira for $190,000 in foal to Snitzel when reoffered at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Treppes is expected to be covered by Snitzel this year.

Trapeze Artist is one of 68 stakes winners by Snitzel and his 12th G1 winner. They include Russian Revolution, Redzel, Summer Passage and Invader, who have all been successful at G1 level in 2017.

Snitzel also sired the Golden Rose third Menari while the runner-up Champagne Cuddles is by another Arrowfield sire Not A Single Doubt.

• Saturday was also a great day for Bowness Stud in the central west of NSW.

Bowness raised Trapeze Artist while their leading stallion Bon Hoffa sired winners at Rosehill and Caulfield.

Bon Hoffa is the sire of Bons Away, winner of the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Caulfield, and the Rosehill Highway Handicap winner Don’t Give A Damn.