Brianna's bonuses boost returns for the Baillies

A week out from the 81^st New Zealand National Yearling Sales Series, talented three-year-old filly Brianna (Sudurka-Lightning Tree) has reminded buyers how worthwhile it can be to enter their purchases in the Thoroughbred Bonus Scheme.

Brianna, bred by John O'Flaherty and sold on his behalf by Bloomsbury Stud, earned her third 'B' bonus at Avondale on Saturday. All three of her wins have been at Avondale and all have been TBS races. They have added $16,325 to her base prizemoney of $34,450.

Brianna, a half-sister to SW Centennial, was purchased for $31,000 at the 2005 NZ Select Sale by Auckland bloodstock agent Robert Dawe for Auckland owners Ian and Jean Baillie. She is trained for the Baillies by Don Sellwood at Cambridge.

Ian Baillie, a member of the Avondale Jockey Club since 1950, says, “The TBS bonuses have made a big difference to Brianna's prizemoney, increasing it by almost fifty per cent. It's certainly been a good return for us."

Ian formerly owned Akarana Stud, home of Harbor Prince and Taipan II, and has raced many horses over the years, including Group-placed Taxsonia (five wins), but believes Brianna has more potential than any other horse he's raced.

Brianna's latest win completed a very good week for John O'Flaherty who will offer a Golan-Lightning Tree filly at this year's Select Sale. Lightning Tree's two-year-old son by Shinko King won a trial at Timaru last Tuesday.

Entries ($1125 per horse) for current yearlings (ie foals of 2005) can be made until 30 April 2007. Late entries ($2000 per horse) are accepted from 1 May to 31 July 2007. All entry fees include GST. For more information about the Scheme, please visit the TBS pages.

Yearlings foaled, sold and conceived in New Zealand are eligible for the Scheme, as follows:

1st Skeeta (3f Chief Bearhart – Euna Bay) $5475

3rd Lacylini (3f Bertolini – Lacy Tops) $675

1st Brianna (3f Sudurka – Lightning Tree) $5475