Photo: Peter Rubery
Mapperley Stud principal Simms Davison is heading towards New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sales on a winning note after breeding last Saturday’s Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) victor Wolfgang (Puccini).
A son of Puccini, who stood at the Matamata nursery, Wolfgang was bred on the farm and offered for sale at Karaka in 2020. After failing to meet his $50,000 reserve, Davison was happy to race the gelding in his own right, alongside underbidder Peter McKay, who now trains in partnership with his son Shaun.
Wolfgang showed plenty of early promise, narrowly missing top honours in the Listed Wellesley Stakes (1000m) as a juvenile, alongside a third placing in the Gr.3 2YO Classic (1200m).
After a disappointing three-year-old term, McKay kept his faith in Wolfgang, who has come into his own at six, winning twice in the spring before finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) and second in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) and Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m).
He shed his bridesmaid tag in style at Trentham, much to the delight of a patient Davison, who credited Wolfgang’s trainers with the success.
“It was great, it’s been a long time coming so it was great to get a reward for being so patient with the horse over the last two or three years,” Davison said. “He’s one of those horses that has taken his time to mature and strengthen.
“Peter has always had a plan for the horse, I’m one of those breeder-owners who just leave everything up to the trainer. He’s always thought a lot of him, which is what encouraged me to stick with him, because obviously racing a six-year-old gelding isn’t typically a stud-masters forte.
“I was very happy for Peter and Shaun, just seeing them be rewarded, and the biggest thrill for me was breeding another stakes winner, in such a prestigious race like the Wellington Cup.”
Wolfgang was the third foal to race out of a two-win Darci Brahma mare Navy Beach, and Davison had been a fan of the gelding from day one.
“Right from the start, he was a yearling that I really liked,” Davison said.
“Peter was the underbidder on him in the ring but I was pretty staunch on my price, I was happy to race him. He reminded me a lot of the old man (Puccini), he was quite a tough yearling and always enjoyed his work.
“It’s taken a lot longer than we thought, when you look at his two-year-old form he got up and showed us a bit, and we thought we were in for a really exciting three-year-old season. He didn’t perform and we were pretty disappointed, luckily Peter had faith in the horse and got him where he is now, a Wellington Cup winner.”
The victory was timely for Mapperley, with a 15-strong draft to present in Book 1 and a further 21 yearlings on offer in Book 2.
“Leading into the sale, it was important to have another horse performing from our draft and we’ve had a pretty busy couple of months,” Davison said. “We had Beau Dazzler winning a Group Three in Australia, Lavender Haze who placed at stakes level and He’s Lucid winning the War Decree Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m).
“It’s a massive thrill and what we really need leading into Karaka, to show that Mapperley can leave stakes horses. That’s what we’re here to do, breed and hopefully sell some tough, durable horses.”
From the Book 1 selection, the stud will offer six yearlings by their late sire Contributer, including Lot 441, a filly out of Altachine. Meanwhile, Armory, owned by Mapperley and Windsor Park Stud, will have his first progeny on display, including Lot 546, a colt out of a Smart Missile mare Cupid’s Bow.
“Filly-wise, we’ve got Lot 441, by Contributer. I’ve always had a lot of time for this family and she’s a naturally beautiful mover, she’s going to be more of a classical type of horse,” Davison said. “Contributer is running at 22 percent stakes performers to runners which would nearly be leading as far as fillies go, so it’s great to see him doing the job.
“Armory has his first crop and I’m absolutely rapt with my two quality colts in Book 1. 546 is a lovely horse that I’ve liked right from the start, he’s a beautiful moving, strong, forward colt with a good pedigree.
“Lot 541 is a lovely filly by St Mark’s Basilica, they sold very well on the Gold Coast and it’s good to have a bit of flavour in our draft. She is a very strong, early type, I like her as well.
“The horses have left today (Monday) and it’s just a matter of getting them up there and in their routine. They’ll be busy parading over the next few days, but the hard work is done now and we’ll just present the horses in the best way that we can.”
