Mourinho storms home in Australia
Avontuur stallion Oratorio further enhanced his dazzling reputation as a proven versatile producer of international stakes winners when two of his progeny won on Sunday in the Northern and Southern hemisphere in sprints and staying contests.
Throw in the fact that the one was a filly and the other a gelding, and the spectrum of opportunity doesn’t get much more diversely attractive.
A triple Group 1 winner and European Champion, Oratorio’s offspring have earned over $33 million in prize money to date. He has now produced an extraordinary 46 international stakes winners.
The son of Danehill covered his first South African book last season, and his first local foals have been delighting all breeders with champagne corks popping marking the celebrations.
When it comes to celebrating, the Gelagotis boys from Moe in Victoria, Australia, are champions.
And they were at it again on Sunday after winning the 2014 Cranbourne Cup with Oratorio’s top-notch stayer Mourinho.
Emotions overflowed in the mounting yard after Mourinho, ridden by Craig Newitt, held off all comers.
Trainer Peter Gelagotis and his younger brother Manny, the stable manager, were dishing out bear hugs at a rapid rate.
Mourinho is part-owned by 15 people so the boys were kept busy. Manny broke away from the celebrations to speak eloquently to the waiting media.
“The horse had clear cut form,’’ he said.
“I believe he was the best horse in the race.
“He had a soft run. He was always going to be hard to run down. He’s a tough horse.’’
Manny said Mourinho, a $36,000 buy at the Sydney Classic sale, had overcome setbacks including a tendon injury.
“So it’s a bit more special for us,’’ he said.
“It’s just great that he’s delivered a good race. It’s really important.’’
Peter and Manny’s father Michael is a Greek immigrant who arrived in Australia in the 1950s determined to succeed.
He did, running businesses before turning his hand to another challenge – training horses.
Oratorio was a top class racehorse
Peter and Manny took over the stable in about 1999 and have trained many winners.
Mourinho , the second favourite, led all the way to win the Cup ahead of the fast-finishing More Than Sacred , with favourite Le Roi third.
At the Curragh, Oratorio’s 4yo multiple stakes winning daughter Viztoria coasted to victory in the 1200m Listed Testimonial Stakes under Pat Smullen.
She beat Gathering Storm by three lengths on good to soft ground.
A €15,000 short yearling at Goffs February Sale, she is out of Italian Listed winner Viz, herself a half sister to the Group Three-placed winner Forbearing.
The second dam, For Example, is a half sister to Grade Two Del Mar Oaks winner French Charmer – herself the dam of champion miler Zilzal – and to the dams of Grade/Group One winners Awe Inspiring, Polish Precedent and Culture Vulture.
A triple Group 1 winner and European Champion, Oratorio’s offspring have earned over $33 million in prize money to date. The son of Danehill covered his first South African book last season, and his first local foals have been delighting all breeders lucky enough to have them.
Oratorio, who stands at Avontuur for a 2014 fee of R100 000 will cover a quality book again this season.
