The 2024 Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint winner October Morn will be winging her way to Australia soon after having been purchased for an undisclosed sum by John Messara of Arrowfield Stud.
The Sporting Post reported recently that the Executors of the Estate of the late David Abery, who bred October Morn in partnership with Avontuur Stud and raced the daughter of Trippi, had offered her for sale via a silent administrative auction that closed on Friday 25 October.
John Messara of Arrowfield Stud plans to send October Morn to The Autumn Sun (Pic – Supplied)
Owned by John Messara, Arrowfield Stud is located in the fertile Segenhoe Valley, near Scone in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, and has long held a fine reputation as a source of top-class racehorses. The quality of South African bred horses is well known to the champion nursery, who have enjoyed success with the likes of past champions National Color and Carry On Alice.
David Abery, a successful businessman, Chairman of SAEHP and a passionate breeder and owner, passed away in September this year.
Justin Vermaak, who facilitated the transaction with Arrowfield Stud, told the Sporting Post that there will be plenty of irony in the export of one of David Abery’s favourite racehorses, October Morn, who effectively becomes a pioneer after the announcement on 25 March this year by SAEHP of the re-opening of direct exports of horses from South Africa to the European Union.
“David Abery was Chairman of SAEHP for many years and was instrumental, after many years of tireless effort and diplomacy, in our successful return to direct exports to the EU. South African racing and breeding is indebted to a man who worked so determinedly behind the scenes. And it’s ironic that David’s special filly is something of a pacesetter in a new era where the world again sits up and takes note of the value and quality of South African bloodstock. The confidence and surety of delivery is what gave Mr Messara the confidence to buy the filly and just illustrates what the direct protocol can do for South African stakeholders from an economic perspective. John Messara is a global leader in the thoroughbred world and known particularly for his global outlook and innovation. This purchase will no doubt bring further eyes onto the bloodstock in this country and South Africa should be exceptionally proud to have John and his Arrowfield Stud as fans of our stock. October Morn has been penciled in for a mating with John’s high-class stallion, The Autumn Sun,” concluded Vermaak.
October Morn wins the Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint at her last start (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
October Morn will only spend 14 days in the Kenilworth quarantine station before shipping directly to the EU. She will then conclude her residency before flying to Australia.
A stakes winner at 2 and 3, with victories in then Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint, the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes and the Listed Perfect Promise Sprint, the 4yo daughter of Trippi was not out of the money in all her 12 starts and her sale presented a rare opportunity to acquire a high-class racehorse and top broodmare prospect.
October Morn has the pedigree to match her fine race record. She is one of 92 stakes winners for Trippi, South Africa’s Champion Sire of 2015-2016, and is one of 14 Grade One winners for her superb sire.
October Morn’s female line is outstanding and packed with high-class black type performers.
She is out of high-class racemare Miss October, who showed top-class sprinting form, and won the 2014 Gr3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap (one of her five career wins), she was also runner up in both the Gr3 Poinsettia Stakes and Listed KwaZulu-Natal Stakes and third in the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes, Gr3 Lebelo Sprint, and Listed Gardenia Handicap.
A Var full-sister to Gr1 Mercury Sprint winner August Rush, Miss October has proved to be an excellent producer.
