Fameux called on a proven Group 1 pedigree to win a Class 3 at Pinjarra on Wednesday albeit by a nose from a modestly-bred veteran named Apache Blue.
He presented as the best-bred horse at the provincial meeting being a son of Sheikh Mohammed’s Champion sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill) and Group 1 mare Daysee Doom (Domesday) who was a celebrated winner of the 2018 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill.
The Coolmore Classic is coveted by the industry’s major players every year. And besides the money and the glory, Daysee Doom’s win also guaranteed her dam See A Victory (Mister C) would be named WA Broodmare of the Year for Perth-based breeders Jack and Anthea Griffin.
“We raced See A Victory and she won twice at Belmont,” Jack recalled. “She was only small but had plenty of heart and she was also placed in a Listed Matchmaker Stakes at Ascot. Unfortunately, she only produced one live foal but luckily that was Daysee Doom.”
Jack Griffin and Steven Parnham with Fameux after a wet-weather win at Pinjarra / Photo: Western Racepix
Daysee Doom also won a G2 Golden Pendant (1400m) and G2 Millie Fox Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill as well as a G3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone. “She gave us some of the best memories of our lives and was so popular. Everyone falls in love with her amazing personality.”
Griffin is a retired businessman in the banking and mining industries and he kept Fameux and a Deep Field half-sister named Field Of Daysees who will also race in their red and green silks with Annabel Neasham in Sydney.
“They are both magnificent types but breeding horses is a long-term thing so I decided to sell Daysee Doom in 2022.”
The mare was carrying a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt and Widden Stud also fell in love with her to the tune of $1,100,000 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Daysee Doom’s most recent cover was by Widden’s resident champion Zoustar on a September 11 service last year.
As for Fameux, he was initially prepared by Neasham to win at Canterbury in February before transferring to Grant and Alana Williams. The Pinjarra victory was the gelding’s first start since March and there was plenty to like about the way he knuckled down on a soft surface for Steven Parnham.
“Fameux has been a work in progress but it paid off down the Pinjarra straight,” Grant Williams noted. “He’s a 4yo now and we look forward to his development this season.”
