Burnewang North blueblood Rose of Portland has signed off her stud career on a winning note with Vikings Reward at Morphettville.

The Reward For Effort colt powered home from the tail of the field to trounce his rivals by two lengths in the Mitty’s Maiden (1000m) on Saturday.  “That was a fantastic effort first-up.  He was very impressive and I’m delighted for the owners who have been very patient,” trainer John Hyam said.

“It was great to have Paul (Gatt) back in the winners circle with us after a great ride.  Our staff had him looking so good and it paid off.  He has a big future ahead.”

Burnewang North owner Cathy Hains bred and sold the Adelaide winner for $14,500 as a foal at the 2014 Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.  He was pin-hooked by Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy and toured the sale-ring again last year when making $37,000 at the Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Vikings Reward is the final foal of Rose of Portland (USA) who was one of the best-bred mares in the Australian Stud Book prior to being pensioned in August 2013.

Her sire Seattle Slew won 1977 USA Triple Crown and was a Top 10 entry among the Greatest USA Racehorses of the 20th Century.  Her dam Rose Of Kingston (Claude) was a homebred for Cathy’s father David Hains and was Australia’s Horse of the Year in the 1982.

Rose of Portland won to Group 2 level in the Myer Classic carrying the family’s famous yellow and red silks at Flemington and she foaled 7 winners from 8 to the races.

“Rosie is still here and is the nanny for our fillies after they’ve been weaned,” Burnewang North’s Tanya Edwards said on Monday.  “We retained her Von Costa De Hero mare Rochie Rosie to keep a link with the family.”

Chatswood Stud champion Reward For Effort has sired 28 individual winners this season and heads all Australian third-season stallions in that category from Rothesay (25) and Star Witness (23).