by Duane Ranger (Courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
Phil Mitchell was always going to buy back last Sunday’s ‘(March 24) Sales Topper’ at the Redcliffe Sales – even if bidding for the Tall Dark Stranger yearling filly went beyond $60,000
“I’ve been presenting and buying horses at Yearling Sales for almost 30 years and never in that time have I produced two yearlings as nice as what I took to Redcliffe on Sunday. I took a lot of calls for the Stay Hungry colt, and I personally thought he would fetch a higher price, but he actually went for $7,000 – $38,000 less than the Tall Dark Stranger filly,
“They were always coming home, unless of course the bidding went to a level that we couldn’t refuse. The duo mean a lot to us. It takes many years of investment and a considerable amount of money to create the situation that we find ourselves in with these two yearlings.
“They are the culmination of many years of breeding. I’m just so happy to have them both back in my stable. I think they will give us a lot of fun on the racetrack. I have a loyal band of owners who have supported me so well over many years, and I’m forever grateful to them,” Mitchell said.
“One day I’m hoping the tall Dark Stranger filly will be my go-to broodmare,” the 67-year-old added.
The Peak Crossing horseman was represented at Sunday’s (March 24) 17th annual Garrard’s Redcliffe Yearling Sale by Lots 9 and 37. Lot 9 was a Stay Hungry – Cullens Jewel (American Idea) colt, which Mitchell bought back for $7,000.
Lot 37 was a Tall Dark Stranger – Our Neenah (Washington VC) filly bought back for $45,000. A summary story on the Sale can be viewed on my website (story previous to this).
“I’ve known for a while that Washington VC mares are a very nice cross. Her sire stats as a broodmare speak for themselves really. The dam – Our Neenah, was like me – she was bred in New Zealand. She had five races in the South Island and was exported to Queensland in June 2006.
“She won three races here and ended up with Daren Garrard, who asked if I wanted to utilize her as a broodmare. I did my research and realised the bloodlines were quite strong. Our Neenah is actually a grand-daughter of the Armbro Del pacer, Direct Talent. That 1979 mare was also the grand-dam of the very nice 1:53 pacer, Five Star Comfort (by Fake Left), who was trained by Angela Burke.
“Five Star Comfort won 22 races here and more than $200,000 before going on to have great success in the United States,” Mitchell said.
He said Neenah (NZ name) was the first and most successful of six foals out of the 1996 maiden Admiral Halsey mare, Blyton. She has since left six foals, and missed to Stay Hungry last year. Mitchell said she would return to that sire next breeding season.
Foal three, the 2013 Sportswriter gelding, Maretti (1:52.4), has been the most successful of Our Neenah’s foals, having so far won 17 of his 129 starts, and placed in 36 others for $137,711 in purses.
“He’s 10 and still thinks he’s five. I contemplated retiring him but he hated being out of work and was not a happy chappy. He kept telling me he wanted to be back at the races, so he’s back in work, and actually raced this week at Albion Park (sixth).
“His full sister, 4-year-old Moretta (foal five), has just as much raw ability, but has hormonal issues which bother her on race-day. She’s a real nervous type who trains really well, but has only won one start in 38 attempts. I’m hoping she grows out of it and gets better with age,” Mitchell said.
The Ipswich horseman said Our Neenah’s first foal, the 2009 American Ideal filly, Trickett (1:56.9) was also above average, winning 12 of her 71 starts, and placing in 28 others for $53,831 in stakes.
“Our Neenah has been a wonderful broodmare so far, and she’s not finished yet. She’s also got a nice 2-year-old Betting Line filly, named Sweet Charmer, who has just qualified. She’s built like a thoroughbred. She’s not in foal this season, but is likely to go back to Stay Hungry later in the year,” Mitchell said.
Asked to comment on Sunday’s Sales Topper’, Mitchell said she was his pride and joy.
“She just ticks all the boxes. Everyone knows I breed to race, and even though people realise that I’ve also fielded offers on this filly. There’s no way she’s going anywhere except the racetrack and broodmare paddock one day. She’s a striking filly. Her service fee ($17,500) wasn’t cheap, but she was worth every cent.
“Even at this early stage she looks like she will make a lovely pacer. She certainly has the bloodlines to be a successful Mum as well. I can’t wait to watch her develop,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell, who works a team of seven at Peak Crossing, said he was grateful to his farrier, Mat Wright, who had worked with him in many capacities since he was 16.
“Mat’s done a sterling job for me over the years, especially with the young ones. Now he’s my farrier and still doing a good job. In fact, there’s so many people I want to thank, especially longtime owners like David Stahmer, Ian Sykes, Russel and Leanne Cook, and the Deardon family have also long-time owners. Yes that it is the same family as Queensland Cowboys League player, Tommy,” Mitchell said.
“Barry McCool, the President of the Wagga Harness Racing Club, and Peter Nugent a HRNSW Board member, are also loyal and much valued owners as well,” he added.
Born in Christchurch and educated at Lincoln College, Mitchell came to Australia as a businessman in 1976. He grew up amongst harness racing giants in Canterbury and learnt his trade there before taking out his training licence in 1990-1991.
“My Great Uncle Sam (Whitford), at Derby Lodge in the middle of last century, and he had a top juvenile name Sam Tryax, won eight out of an eight as a 2-year-old and ran fourth in a New Zealand Cup. I went to West Spreydon Primary School, which was right near Addington Raceway, so harness racing has been in my blood since day one.
“I clearly remember pacing giants like Manaroa, Robalan, Arapaho, Lordship and Cardigan Bay. Then later on I spent eight years in the United States before returning to Australia,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell trained three winners from 21 starters in his first season and has since racked up 201 winners from 2,047 starts. He’s also placed 459 times and banked $971,447 in purses.
His biggest wins have come via Cullens Jewel in the 2015 Group Two $50,000 Qbred 3yo Fillies Final and the 2015 Listed Classic Redcliffe Yearling Sales 3yo Final; Bullrun in the 2010 Group Three $30,000 Seymour Charity Cup and the 2010 Listed Classic Smooth Satin Final. Passion N Glory also won a final of the MO Series on grand final day at the 2015 Menangle Interdomnions.
Mitchell said Cullens Jewel was the dam of his Stay Hungry – Cullens Jewel colt that he bought back on Sunday.
“He’s a very nice colt, and seems to be a young horse in high demand, but he’s going nowhere. Cullen’s Jewel won seven races and has left four foals – a 7-year-old P{et Rock gelding named Superbon (nine wins); a 5-year-old Betting Line gelding called Marksman (one win); and a 4-year-old Betting Line filly, who has placed once.
“The Stay Hungry brown colt was born two Novembers ago, and is absolutely stunning. I can’t believe that no-one put in a bid higher than $7,000 for him. I personally thought he would fetch more than the Talk Dark Stranger filly,”
“Definitely the best two horses I have bred, and that’s why they went through the Sale. I think they can win Qbred and Sales races,” he added.
Specialising in turf farms and landscape business, Mitchell retired from that sector five years ago and is now passionate about harness racing in his retirement. He has also given many voluntary hours to the industry,
“He was President of Botra ((Breeders, Owners, Trainers, Reinspersons Association) and was the industry rep to Government when Equine Influenza was at its peak in 2007. I was also the chairman of the A-Class Members committee when the three codes amalgamated
“Harness racing has always been a deep passion of mine. I love the people and the comradery the sport brings. The two juveniles from the Sale make thew sport even more worthwhile,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell’s next starter will be at Redcliffe Paceway today (Thursday) when Alanah Richardson will drive the 4-year-old in race three at 1.17pm from gate two.
