Legion on the march for Larneuk Stud

Legion continued the unprecedented rise of Redoute’s Choice as a sire of sires with a winning double on Sunday, August 8.  He was represented by first crop winners Final Boss at Leeton and Garter Girl at Cranbourne.

Legion is a half brother to G1 racehorse and sire General Nediym and their family keeps improving with G1 sprinters like Lindsay Park star Nicconi.

The Larneuk Stud resident was trained by Lee Freedman, just like fellow Redoute’s Choice sons Coat’s Choice and Marmottan who sired their first winners last Friday.

Legion (Redoute’s Choice – Military Belle by Without Fear) won by three lengths on debut at Sale in August 2004 and within a month he was in Sydney for the Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill.  But, while Al Mahar and Savabeel fought out the finish of the G2 feature, Legion was being eased down by Darren Beadman with a leg injury.

Freedman’s Markdel Syndicate was forced to retire Legion after just five starts and Larneuk Stud owner Nev Murdoch came in with the right offer to stand him at Euroa.

Foreign Christmas got him off the mark when she scored in a Terang 2YO Maiden last year.  Garter Girl was second cab off the rank when she won on debut at Mornington before doubling up at Pakenham in February.

Garter Girl (4m Legion – Dancing Legs by Royal Academy) is trained by Jason Warren for part-owner and breeder John Clark.  She owns a pedigree that had gone quiet for a couple of generations but Legion has been the catalyst to get it going again.

Her dam and second dam were both unraced but her third dam is none other than Star Kingdom’s champion filly Citius who was a G1 winner of the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, AJC Doncaster Hcp, VATC Oakleigh Plate and VRC Lightning Stakes.

“There’s a bit of upside to Garter Girl,” Warren said.  “She is a strong, sound type and has always shown good early speed.  I’d like a few more Legions like her in the back yard.

Legion has now sired 6 winners and another 10 placegetters from limited runners.  He stands for a $4,400 service fee at Larneuk alongside O’Lonhro (Lonhro), Bramshaw (Encosta de Lago) and Tsigane (Anabaa).