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Foundation Leads Influx Of Classy Imports

3 minute read

Foundation, a Group 2 winner at Newmarket and a one-time Epsom Derby favourite, has joined the Lindsay Park stable in Victoria.

Foundation, owned by UK-based Highclere Racing, arrived at Lindsay Park last month after completing his quarantine.

“We are thrilled to be given the opportunity to train Foundation for Highclere and their owners. He is clearly a high-class racehorse and if he can bring his best form to Australia he will be competitive in our feature races here.” said Lindsay Park head trainer David Hayes

Foundation wins the Royal Lodge Stakes
Foundation wins the Royal Lodge Stakes Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Foundation, by Zoffany, had only 10 starts for UK trainer John Gosden for three wins and five placings. He won his first three starts as a 2YO in 2015 including the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes over the mile at Newmarket and Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock Park to be a winter favourite for the 2016 Derby.

All his six starts this year have been in Group and Listed races in the UK and France including placings in the G2 Dante Stakes and G3 Craven Stakes. He last raced in September when third in the Listed Stand Cup over a mile and a half at Chester.

Highclere Racing chairman Harry Herbert hopes a change of environment from England to Lindsay Park at Euroa will help Foundation recapture the form which had him rated among Europe's leading two-year-old colts in 2015.

“We are excited to be adding Foundation to our roster of Australian horses and teaming up for the first time with David Hayes,” Herbert said.

“The Australian thoroughbred industry is thriving at present on the back of strong prizemoney increases and we are excited to be adding a horse of Foundation’s quality to our growing Australian roster.”

Highclere has enjoyed previous success in Australia with the Chris Waller-trained G2 Chairman’s Stakes winner Libran.

Waller recently took delivery of another Highclere import Regal Monarch, a talented young stayer with four wins and four placings to his credit in the UK.

Foundation, Libran and Regal Monarch will be set for staying races over the autumn carnival.

Foundation arrives with a handy Timeform rating of 113 while Regal Monarch holds a current rating of 106.

Highclere also has the three-year-old gelding Knighthood in training with Hawkes Racing and two-year-old filly Pageantry with Freedman Racing in Victoria.

Herbert said Highclere plans to purchase yearlings at the upcoming Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast in January.

Godolphin has also added to its imported arsenal in Australia with the arrival of six horses from the Chantilly stable of Andre Fabre in France and the Mark Johnston stable in England.

The imports include Fabre’s stakes placed trio Big Blue, Spectroscope and Floodlight, a French Derby runner who was second to champion colt Almanzor in a G3 event at Chantilly.

Ancient History and the Johnston-trained pair New Caledonia and Ode To Evening make up the six.

Ode To Evening won at Newmarket in July and was placed at Glorious Goodwood while New Caledonia was an Ascot winner in September.

Godolphin has had a considerable impact on Australian racing with its imports over the last two seasons, enjoying top level success with Hartnell, Contributer and Magic Hurricane.

Ode to Evening and Floodlight hold the highest Timeform ratings among the new Godolphin imports.

They are both on a current figure of 111, followed by Big Blue and Spectroscope on 110. New Caledonia and Ancient History are rated on 107.


Racing and Sports

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