3 minute read
It took just over 70 seconds at Randwick on Saturday for the 2018-19 Australian sires premiership to be virtually put to bed.
When Redzel created racing history by securing back-to-back wins in $13 million Everest beating Trapeze Artist the quinella result in the 1200m sprint contributed a massive $8.1 million towards the premiership earnings of their sire Snitzel.
For the first two months of the season I Am Invincible had been a clear leader across all premiership titles by prizemoney, win and stakes winners but like last season the Everest result has swung the pendulum heavily in favour of defending champion Snitzel by an almost unbeatable margin.Snitzel’s season earnings have now soared to more than $11.1 million, some $7 million clear of I Am Invincible ($4.152m), and puts him on track to rival his record breaking 2017-18 figures when his progeny won a record $30 million.Redzel (Snitzel x Millrich by Rubiton) has collected a total of $11.8 million prizemoney for his two Everest wins. With his 12 other wins and seven placings in 28 starts Redzel has amassed more than $15.3 million, making the champion sprinter the second highest stakeswinner in Australian racing history behind Winx ($19.4 million).
Significantly Redzel’s unbeaten record in the Everest – the world’s richest turf race - have lifted him into the top 15 money earners of all time worldwide with Winx – currently sixth – and Makybe Diva (33rd) the only other Australian-trained performers in the top 40. The six-year-old Redzel was sold twice before he made his racing debut, first as a weanling in Sydney for $45,000 when purchased by Marquee Stud and then as a yearling at the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale where he was acquired by syndicators Triple Crown for $120,000.He now races for a big syndicate of everyday Australians who shared the $6 million Everest prizemoney with slot holder Zhang Yuensheng, a billionaire Chinese businessman who has extensive racing and breeding interests in Australia under his brand Yulong Investments.
“This is great for Mr Zhang to have a success like this,’’ said his Australian spokesman Sam Fairgray. “He’s very committed to Australian racing and breeding. You’ll see a lot more of Yulong here for sure.”Redzel is the last foal out of the G3 winner and Golden Slipper Stakes placed Millrich, a prolific producer of seven winners including the G3 winner and sire Danerich (Danehill).
Millrich died after producing Redzel in 2012.