Birdieagle began what could be a ground-breaking month for Dawson Stud with a powerful victory in the Western Racepix Hcp (1600m) at Ascot last Saturday.
Benefiting from an inspired ride by Brad Parnham, he crossed from an outside barrier to race with cover and he kept lifting for a one-length victory over Weaponson and even-money favourite Be Optimistic.
Birdieagle (Photo / Western Racepix) is a Dawson Stud-bred graduate by Encosta de Lago stallion My Admiration and is raced by Fantail Holdings owner Steve Kilner with Neville and Carol Parnham. Up since November, he has now won five times in town with four of them at Ascot.
“I told Steve we should go up a grade which meant a weight drop of 5kg from last week,” Parnham said. “He’s tough and was holding them easily at the finish. He’s not a young horse but will keep progressing with that will to win.”
Dawson Stud owner Graham Daws bred him by using Westbury Stud sire My Admiration over Copita Mak.
The Commands mare foaled an I’m All The Talk colt in August and she hails from the immediate family of Redoute’s Choice, Al Maher and Umatilla. Birdieagle was an $11,000 online buy at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale.
Hong Kong speed-machine Sight Success is primed for a trip to Dubai for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on March 25. The Magnus gelding was bred and sold by Dawson Stud for $45,000 at the 2018 Perth Magic Millions and has earned the equivalent of AUD 3.87 million for trainer John Size and owner Tam Wing Kun.
Size has booked Ryan Moore to partner Sight Success who was runner-up to Wellington in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) in December before winning the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) in the New Year.
“Ryan has been to the Gulf quite often and agreed to ride Sight Success as soon as I asked,” Size revealed. “When he first started racing, he probably wasn’t ready. He’s been pretty late developing for a sprinter and again this season, he has improved some more.”
Closer to home, Dawson Stud-bred graduate Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon) has been sidelined with a throat infection and won’t be among the slot-holders in the $4 million The Quokka (1200m) at Ascot on April 15. She was sold for $120,000 through Newhaven Park at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions and has banked over $1.70 million for owners Jill O’Sullivan and Darren White.
