Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)
Mark Corcoran went to Trentham with understandably high hopes and events subsequently exceeded all expectations with a massive result at Rosehill topping off a super Saturday.
Corcoran operates Grangewilliam Stud with wife Jane and their stallion roster proved the potent force at the meeting with Derryn’s star filly Leica Lucy leading the charge for trainer Robbie Patterson with victory in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
Derryn also sired progressive undercard winner Doctor Askar for breeder, part-owner and trainer Joanne Moss while associate stallion Zed chimed in with Leica Lucy’s stablemate Our Jumala claiming the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m).
Grangewilliam’s roll didn’t end there either with the Waitotara nursery cheering home the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Marhoona, whose half-brother Hilal stood his first season for Corcoran in 2024.
Family celebrations had started early following the victory romp at Riccarton of the David Walsh-trained two-year-old Zelia.
The daughter of Fierce Impact is owned by Corcoran’s father John, who leases her to a syndicate and remains in that ownership group.
“It was a big weekend and Derryn ticked off that Group One box, which is all important,” Cocoran said.
“I was a bit nervous for a while, Leica Lucy didn’t have it easy and had to do a bit of work to get out and then accelerated before she seemed to hit a bit of a flat spot.”
The three-year-old fought tooth and nail for rider Craig Grylls for the perfect send off with the filly now bound for Chris Waller’s Sydney stable.
“In the end, she just dug deep and got the job done. I couldn’t be happier for Robbie and Craig and the team who have done a fantastic job with her,” Corcoran said.
“It was a great day for us with Derryn getting another winner on the card for Joanne.”
Corcoran was also delighted for Our Jumala’s breeder and part-owner Bill Stewart.
“I was so pleased for Bill, he’s just five minutes up the road from us, and he’s put a lot into it over the years. She’s going to be a nice mare to breed from in the future,” he said.
“She’s by Zed out of an Al Akbar are so it’s good Grangewilliam lineage there.”
Grangewilliam extended their stay at Trentham to take in the Golden Slipper and another dream result was delivered by Marhoona.
“We’d had such a good day and we watched the race in one of the bars they kept open for us, so it was great,” Corcoran said.
The Snitzel filly is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Salma, also the dam of Grangewilliam’s Group Two winner and multiple Group One placegetter Hilal, a son of Fastnet Rock.
“He served 137 mares last year so it was a good way for him to kick off and the Sipper result really stamps him,” Corcoran said.
“I’d like to think the Australian buyers will be really interested in his first crop when they hit the sales.
“He’s a Group One performer who gave Anamoe a run for his money, it’s pretty exciting for us.
“It was fantastic and you don’t have too many weekends like that, it was a bit surreal really.”
