Arrowfield Stud suffered a devastating blow in the lead-up to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with the loss of Redoute’s Choice, but there will also be a sense of pride when they present a high-quality draft of his sons and daughters at the Riverside Stables next week.

It will be the 17th consecutive occasion they have offered representatives of the multiple champion sire, who for so many years gave such outstanding service to John Messara’s famed Hunter Valley operation.

Redoute’s Choice, who tragically died last week, carved out a remarkable record after his retirement to stud off the back of a distinguished racing career.

Paul and John Messara with Redoute's Choice

Yourdeel  (Dundeel)  belied  a  below  par  gallop  last  week  to  lay  claim  to  being  New  Zealand’s  best  juvenile  after  the  gelding  produced  a  barnstorming finish to take out the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).

Trainer Jamie Richards admitted Yourdeel, who completed the Group 1  double  having  taking  out  the  Sistema  Stakes  (Gr  1,  1200m)  at  his  previous  start,  was  nearly  a  non-runner  at  Awapuni  and  then  appeared  out of contention mid-race yesterday.“He has really stood up and raised the bar this season hasn’t he, he’s quite an incredible horse,” Richards said.“

Since the first foals by Redoute's Choice hit the ground in 2001, the champion stallion has to date produced 163 stakes winners, 34 of them at Group One level so here they are crop by crop.

His current three year-old crop, which features five time Group One winner The Autumn Sun, numbered 99 live foals, while his current crop of two year-olds numbered 79 live foals.

There were 69 yearlings born, 54 weanlings and he covered a small book of 45 mares last season so there is obviously going to be more to the story.


Redoute's Choice. Photo: Mark Smith.

2001
Gr1: Lotteria
Gr2: Bishops Rock
Gr3: Tahni Girl
Listed: Not A Single Doubt, Mooney Mooney, Whoever, Provence, Chic Choice

2002
Gr1: Fashions Afield, Snitzel, Stratum, Undoubtedly, God's Own
Gr2: Doubting, Duelled
Gr3: Al Samer, Fast 'N' Famous, Leveller
Listed: Bradbury's Luck, Lucky Unicorn, Swish Trish, Presenting, Fullazz, Maloose, Opportunity (NZ)

2003
Gr1: Miss Finland, Anamato, Cheeky Choice, Redoute's Dancer, Empires Choice (NZ), Nadeem
Gr2: Mutawaajid, Musket
Gr3: Red Lord, Mearas, Get Square
Listed: Sharkbite

2004
Gr2: El Daana
Listed: Obvious Choice, Stockade

2005
Gr1: Samantha Miss, Gallica, Master Of Design, Allez Wonder
Gr2: Drumbeats, Amelia's Dream
Gr3: Bid Spotter, Dr Doute's, Viennese
Listed: Time Thief, Estee, Broadway Belle, Grand Jardin, Cabazon, Rare Diamond, Zupacool

2006
Gr1: Melito, Musir, Dariana
Gr2: Tickets, Sister Madly, Varenna Miss
Gr3: Dystopia, Zingaling, Mirrasalo
Listed: Essington, Packing Commander - Packing Ok (H.K.), Come Hither, Tranquility, Metallurgical, War Ends

2007
Gr1: King's Rose (NZ), Absolutely
Gr2: Rekindled Interest, Dolmabache (NZ)
Gr3: Kittens, Shaaheq, Beneteau
Listed: Maules Creek, Cantonese, Papilio (NZ), Milestone

2008
Gr1: Bonaria
Gr2: Galah, Girl Gone Rockin'
Gr3: Burgundy (NZ), Strawberry Boy, She's Clean, Florentina
Listed: Tazahum (Usa), Elzaam, Shaqira (Gb), Clianthus (Jpn)

2009
Gr1: Lankan Rupee, Wylie Hall, Royal Descent
Gr2: Abidewithme (NZ), Honorine
Gr3: Rock Magic, A Time For Julia, Alzora, Global Balance, Albrecht, Lilliburlero, Sheer Talent, Seaside, Pure Elegance (NZ)
Listed: Antique Belle, La Amistad, Chiaramonte, No Looking Back, Wales, High Esteem, Mama's Choice

2010
Gr2: Tango's Daughter
Gr3: Fluky (Jpn), Aussies Love Sport
Listed: Great Esteem

2011
Gr1: Majmu, Peeping, Hampton Court
Gr2: Vavasour (NZ), Into The Mist
Gr3: Scissor Kick, Zestful, Thewizardofoz, Panzer Division

2012
Gr1: Galaxy Star, Rafeef, Howard Be Thy Name, Abbey Marie
Gr2: Kebede
Gr3: Counterattack, Ravi
Listed: Intrusion - Mister Kaopu (Mac.), Richie Mchorse (NZ), Burnstone, Extra Choice (NZ)

2013
Gr2: Hardham
Gr3: Table Bay, Very Tempting, Swear, Long Time Ago, Thyme For Roses, Honesty Prevails
Listed: Glenall, Royal Star, Redouble, Super Maxi, Zamzam, France - Encouraging (H.K.)

2014
Gr1: Mustaaqeem
Gr2: Perfect Jewel
Gr3: Pariah, Spotify (Fr), Ardrossan, Gold Luck (Fr), Ibiza (Fr)
Listed: Time's Arrow (Ire), Wajnah (Fr)

2015
Gr1: The Autumn Sun
Gr3: Sevenna Star (Ire)
Listed: Lilac Fairy (Fr)

Breednet - Tuesday March 26

Reams of reminiscence has already rolled off the digital presses in memory of Redoute’s Choice, the equine king of Arrowfield Stud, since his sudden death was announced on Tuesday. Predictably, those close to the great horse have had some truly moving things to say about the big bay, and what he meant to the industry.

I can’t claim to have anything near the association of these luminaries, but Redoute’s Choice’s death moved me in ways that shocked me.

As a humble TV hack during my SKY Racing days, I pointed cameras in his direction, gave him the odd pat and joined the legion of racing and breeding fans to pull on his tongue. I was never ‘close’ to the horse, but he certainly impacted my life.

I remember as a teenager, watching this big, leggy, Danehill colt win at Caulfield on debut. He had caught my eye in the paper, I was a pedigree nerd, and this guy had pedigree for days. He was also an eyeful, owing to the alchemy of Danehill,Canny Lad, Nijinsky and Best In Show. However, once he started to run, his ancestry was academic for me.

Continue Reading