| Three-year-old filly Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing) provided a fantastic day of firsts at Royal Ascot overnight – the first Group One win for her sire, trainer Karl Burke and jockey, Dougie Costello. The winner of six of her seven starts, Quiet Reflection started the 7-4 favourite for the Group One Commonwealth Cup over 6f and defeated the colts and geldings with a commanding performance which cements her place at the top of Europe's three-year-old sprinting ranks. "She's a very good filly and it's a big relief. It wasn't the plan to be stuck in the middle and I was just praying it wasn't going to be a rough race, but she's got a good turn of foot and it got her out of trouble. The Commonwealth Cup is a great race and a great idea for 3-year-olds," trainer Karl Burke commented to media post-race. Quiet Reflection's Group One victory continues the rise of Showcasing (GB) (Oasis Dream) in the stallion ranks in both hemispheres. "I don't think there could be a better place to have opened Showcasing's Group One account," says Haunui Farm's Managing Director, Mark Chitty. "Royal Ascot is one of the world's greatest racing carnivals and brings together the best that racing has to offer around the world so it's pretty exciting that Showcasing has landed his first Group One-winner on such a big stage," said Mark. This season sees Showcasing with seven stakes performers in the Northern Hemisphere already with flat racing only just getting into full swing whilst in the South, his current season tally of stakes performers sits at eight, headed by Australian Group Three winner Cylinder Beach and Group One New Zealand Derby place getter Raghu. The Champion 2YO and First Season Sire last season, Showcasing once again heads his rivals and is set to be crowned the Champion Second Season Sire come season's end. "Showcasing is at the top of a pretty exciting group of young stallions in New Zealand and it's great to get the monkey off his back in terms of a Group One winner," said Mark. "With such a global industry, results like this have a significant effect when it comes to the commercial market which we are so reliant on. Showcasing's success in the Southern Hemisphere is also coming in our major export markets of Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong so going forward, he is in a very strong position and most importantly, he has the numbers on the ground to continue making an impact going forward." Showcasing returns to Haunui Farm in 2016 at a fee of $15,000 + GST. He is strictly limited to 125 mares with his book almost full. Any breeders considering utilising Showcasing in 2016 should contact Mark – 021 663 995 or Shannon – 0212 855 13. |
