Ashleigh Thoroughbreds News

Castagnola Catches the Eye at Ballarat
September 20 - First up from a spell and first up for new trainer Peter Moody, highly talented four year-old gelding Castagnola could not have been more impressive when bolting in at Ballarat on Sunday.

A $220,000 purchase for Keiran Moore Bloodstock from the Southern Cross Breeders draft at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale, Castagnola (pictured as a yearling) made it three wins from four starts when he cruised clear to win the Ratings 78 event over 1200 metres by more than three lengths.

Previously trained at the Gold Coast by Bryan Guy for prominent owner Ron Wanless, Castagnola won by 10 lengths at Eagle Farm back in January and has obviously brought a good deal of that ability with him to Melbourne.

Bred by Senga Bissett and Ivan Woodford-Smith of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds, Castagnola is a half-brother to Group Two placed Silver Ninja, who is also a Hong Kong winner under the name of Lhojong.

The third most expensive yearling from the first crop of his sire Untouchable, Castagnola is from Safe Hit (NZ), a half-sister by leading broodmare sire Straight Strike (USA) to Group Three winner Zafar.

Impressive Win for Dempsey
September 26 – Promising Flying Spur colt Dempsey cast off maiden status at his second race start with a stylish win at Geelong last Friday.

Beautiful Foals Arriving at Ashleigh
September 22 – With the breeding season now in full swing there have been a number of gorgeous new babies born at Ashleigh Thoroughbreds including a colt from Group One STC Coolmore Classic winner Danni Martine.

Castagnola Catches the Eye at Ballarat
September 20 - First up from a spell and first up for new trainer Peter Moody, highly talented four year-old gelding Castagnola could not have been more impressive when bolting in at Ballarat on Sunday.

Sibling for Danni Martine
August 21 - Senga Bissett and Ivan Woodford-Smith of Ashleigh Thoroughbreds have enjoyed much success with their top class producer Best Percentage, who has delivered another beautiful baby at their picturesque Hunter Valley farm.

Metro Success for Murphy’s Blu Boy Sister
June 22 – Smart filly Murphy’s Cash made it back-to-back wins when scoring a stylish victory at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.

The Manhattan Cross
March 17 - Boom two year-old colt Manhattan Rain is the talk of racing after earning a Golden Slipper start with his all the way win in the Group Three AJC Skyline Stakes last Saturday and for those considering buying at the 2009 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale it’s worth noting there is only one yearling in the catalogue bred on the exact same cross and it’s a cross that has also produced a dual Group One winner.

Aussie Winners at Vaal
A couple of Australian bred winners saluted at Vaal in South Africa on Thursday including a half-brother to a Melbourne Cup winner.

New Record Price for Commands
January 9 – Southern Cross Breeders scored a fabulous result with their Commands colt from Isadora, which set a new benchmark for his sire when knocked down for $600,000 to the bid of Alan Bailey during Friday’s session of the Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Untouchable Wins by Ten
January 3 - Horses rarely win a race anywhere by a margin of ten lengths but it happened at Eagle Farm on Saturday when the open three year-old event over 1200 metres was won in a cakewalk by unbeaten Castagnola, a $220,000 purchase for Keiran Moore Bloodstock from the Southern Cross Breeders at the 2007 Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

Murphy’s Blu Boy Sister Breaks Maiden
October 8 - Horses sold by Southern Cross Breeders have been enjoying a successful run of late with recent winners Sara’s Choice, Georgia’s Boy and Packing Supreme joined by Murphy’s Cash, who saluted at Ballarat on Wednesday.