Oratorio – proud Dad
Avontuur’s renowned proven sire of international stakes winners Oratorio produced his own and the farm’s first foal of the new season when a strapping filly was born to the top racemare, Mochachino last week.
The magnificent Mochachino, a daughter of Silvano, won 7 races from 1160m to a mile and she is the dam of the promising unbeaten Mike De Kock flyer Varachino
“If this is the shape of things to come, then I am very excited,” said Avontuur General Manager Pippa Mickleburgh of the first foal of a character she affectionately terms, ‘O’.
One of Danehill’s top-rated sons and already a sire of Gr1 winners in five different countries, Oratorio has had the South African horseracing and breeding community talking since his arrival on purchase from Coolmore Australia early in 2013.
And in what must be a coup for any farm around the globe, both he and Avontuur’s well established superstar Var enjoy the unique distinction of progeny in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings’ top ten, which is published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
It has been a helter skelter joyride of international stakes successes that have kept Pippa and her marketing team busy over the past 20 months since Oratorio’s arrival.
Besides his Gr1 winners in five different countries, he is also sire of dual Gr2 winner Cherry Collect (Italy), Torio’s Quest (Australia), King Torus (France), Ottimo(South Africa), Lolly For Dolly (Australia); dual Gr3 winner Moonwalk In Paris (France & Dubai), Viztorio (UK), Mourinho(Australia), Esentep (Australia) and Takar(Australia).
Scream Blue Murder wins the Gr3 on Sunday
And while S’manga Khumalo came desperately close to winning on Oratorio’s son Tenor at Ascot on Saturday in the International Jockeys Shergar Cup meeting, it was Pat Smullen who rode a rare winner for trainer Tommy Stack as Oratorio’s 4yo daughter Scream Blue Murder claimed the Gr 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes in Ireland on Sunday.
Scream Blue Murder quickened up well to fend off Jamesie by three-quarters of a length, with British raider Hamza a close third. Stack’s son and assistant Fozzy said: “That was a bit of a surprise, but she does like the ground. She toughed it out well.”
Scream Blue Murder was a listed winner last season and ran with credit in several Gr 3′s in the last season. This was her best effort to date and it is thought that she will come back for the Renaissance Stakes and they may also consider the Flying Five.
Pippa Mickleburgh is thrilled with Oratorio’s first
Oratorio stamps his progeny with the same ability and courage that made him a triple Gr1 winner, Champion 2yo Colt in France in 2004, Champion 3yo Colt in Ireland in 2005 and Group performer in 11 races.
Oratorio was champion sire in Italy in 2012 and sire of 2013 Hong Kong Horse of the Year Military Attack.
He was also ranked high on stakes earnings in a recent listing of leading European sires of milers for the extended period of 2010 to 2014. The list was topped by Galileo, Pivotal and Oasis Dream and reads like the exclusive gold club of the world’s very best stallions.
He stood his first season in SA in 2013 and has a full book this year.
“Our wildest dreams have been exceeded as Var has delivered the goods in the sprints and the mile contests. Now we have taken the next step. Oratorio is here to give us our Met and July winners of tomorrow. Watch this space!” said Pippa.
