Choice half-sister to Kiwi Bro

Yarradale Stud’s De Troy – Ladidi filly could have another Group 1 update just 10 days after parading at the Perth Magic Millions.

Yarradale has entered 32 yearlings and the De Troy filly has been catalogued as Lot 321 on Wednesday, February 20.  She is a half-sister to Choice Bro who is one of the leading candidates for the New Zealand Derby on March 2.

Choice Bro (Choisir) was a G1 winner of the 2011 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes before disappointing at the Brisbane winter carnival.  “We couldn’t put a finger on the problem until we discovered a hairline fracture of the hind cannon-bone when he trotted up sore behind,” trainer John Sargent said.  “He didn’t need an operation but some box rest so we took it slowly and so far, so good this time in.”

CHOICE BRO
Yarradale enters half-sister to Kiwi star for Perth Magic Millions

Sargent was speaking at Ellerslie after the chunky chestnut won the Karaka Mile second-up after a seven month spell on January 27.  “Choice Bro was the class horse of the field and won with a bit of authority,” Sargent continued.  “I’m keen to start him in the NZ Derby.  He’s by Choisir and isn’t bred to stay 2400 metres but I think he can get away with it against his own age group.”

Yarradale owner Ron Sayers bought into the family when targeting his dam Ladidi for $18,000 at the 2010 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.  The following year, Choice Bro was knocked down for $50,000 at the 2011 NZB Karaka Select Sale.

Ladidi is by champion broodmare sire Palace Music and is from the immediate family of Swettenham’s homebred champion Pure Of Heart.  She was carrying a Dubawi colt on arrival at Yarradale and he later made $60,000 at it the stud’s on-site yearling sale last year.

De Troy (Arg) represents the Southern Halo sireline which has Vinery champion More Than Ready at its cutting edge in Australia.  He was a G1 performer in Argentina and later won three sprints in the United States.

Regular rider Jonathan Riddell, who also partnered champion colt Jimmy Choux, had the final word on Choice Bro immediately after the Karaka Mile.  “He did it even more easily than it looked,” Riddell admitted.  “He cruised to the front and then knocked off on me and I had to really work on him the last bit.

“He’s a colt and is a bit that way inclined but, if it was my call, then definitely look at the NZ Derby or even a race like the Rosehill Guineas.”

The Yarradale draft for the Perth Magic Millions can be viewed here.

Karl Patterson

CHOICE FILLY
De Troy’s half-sister to Choice Bro catalogued as Lot 321 at the Perth Magic Millions