British-based Quantum Leap Racing has teamed up with Australian Bloodstock in the 4-year-old Rodrigo Diaz (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) with the aim of sending the 96-rated stayer to the Melbourne Cup.
The winner of four of his 10 starts for David Simcock, Rodrigo Diaz was a 55,000gns Tattersalls December Yearling Sale purchase by Jeremy Brummitt, an agent with a good track record in buying European yearlings for the Australian market. The gelding will now race in a 50-50 partnership between the two syndicates.
Quantum Leap Racing, which was established by Eamonn O'Connor with Brummitt as bloodstock consultant, has horses in training in the UK, France and Australia, and focuses particularly on buying yearlings with middle-distance and staying pedigrees. The syndicate has already enjoyed success in Australia this year with another Tattersalls yearling purchase, Wyclif (GB) (Archipenko), winner of the listed Port Adelaide Cup in May.
Australian Bloodstock also has a dual Australian and European focus and enjoyed Melbourne Cup glory in 2014 with the European-bred Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). The syndicate has also won the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis in Munich with the David Menuisier-trained Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}).
Unlike Wyclif, who is now trained at Flemington by Danny O'Brien, Rodrigo Diaz will not have a one-way ticket to Australia. He will be campaigned in Melbourne later this year before returning to the UK.
Quantum Leap Racing's Eamonn O'Connor said, “At a time when there is increasing concern about British racing becoming a nursery for the rest of the world, we are pleased to announce this innovative deal, allowing our syndicate to retain a 50% share of Rodrigo Diaz. The intention is to go to Melbourne, where the Racing Carnival is among the best in the world, before returning to the UK to target northern hemisphere Cup races in 2022. We hope Rodrigo Diaz can provide plenty of thrills for both our current syndicate owners and our new partners in both hemispheres.”
He continued, “We are delighted to have done this deal with Australian Bloodstock. Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell clearly share our enthusiasm for the horse and, having considerable experience in travelling European horses to Australia, his team's experience will be invaluable. This is especially so in a year where many Europeans have decided that the hurdles in getting to the Cup are insurmountable.”
Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock added, “We have long held a good opinion of Rodrigo Diaz and we feel he is the ideal type for the Lexus Melbourne Cup. We have a very high regard for his trainer David Simcock and his regular rider Jamie Spencer.
“The idea of racing in partnership with a progressive syndicate like Quantum Leap Racing who have a similar passion to race horses on the international stage really appealed to us.”
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