The family of Lynward Park Stud’s Alfred Nobel, already rated with the best in Europe, continues to take giant strides forward.
Firstly, Was won last week’s Group 1 English Oaks then first-season stallion New Approach sired Sunday’s Listed Irish Rochestown Stakes winner Dawn Approach, who is unbeaten in three runs and now heads to Royal Ascot.
Was is from Alluring Park, by Green Desert, and is a sister to Shinko Forest (a Group 1 winning Japanese sprinter) and a half-sister to both New Approach and Dazzling Park, the grand-dam of Alfred Nobel.
She was among five fillies sent out by champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien in the Oaks, sat relaxed on the rails behind the leaders and dashed away for jockey Seamie Heffernan.
“She’s progressing all the time,” said O’Brien. “We’re really looking forward to the future with her.”
Bred in Ireland by Lodge Park Stud, Was, by Galileo, now the sire of 28 Group 1 winners, was bought by Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor for a sale topping $1.98 million at the 2010 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Ireland.
She was also Europe’s highest priced yearling for the year – a further reflection on how highly this family is held.
Lodge Park Stud owner Seamus Burns bought into the family when he purchased Park Express, by Ahonoora, as a yearling.
Park Express won the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, Group 2 Nassau Stakes and Group 3 Lancashire Oaks and was rated the joint champion 2Y0 filly in Ireland in 1985, the champion Irish 3Y0 filly the following year, when she was also top filly on the English 3Y0 Free Handicap.
Her daughter, Dazzling Park, won the Group 3 Matron Stakes and Listed Platinum Stakes, was placed in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes and One Thousand Guineas and was rated the 1999 Champion European 3Y0 filly.
LOdge Park Stud bred a number of his mares to Alfred Nobel, winner of the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and Group 2 Railway Stakes, in Ireland last year and Damian Burns describes his first crop foals as: ” Really strong with plenty of scope and quality very much like their sire.”
Coolmore Stud, who stand Alfred Nobel during the northern hemisphere season, has reported strong repeat bookings from some of Ireland’s best breeders for Alfred Nobel on the strength of the quality of his foals.
Burns is now sitting on a goldmine. He’ll offer Was’s full sister at this year’s Tattersall’s sale.
New Approach was the champion 2Y0 and 3Y0 colt in Europe in 2007 and 2008. His eight wins, seven in Group company, were from seven furlongs to 1 1/2 miles, and included the Group 1 English Derby, Irish Champion Stakes, English Champion Stakes, Dewhurst Stakes and National Stakes, Group 2 Futurity Stakes and Group 3 Tyros Stakes.
He shuttles to Darley, NSW, and his 2012 book was filled early at $33,000.
Lynward Park principal Ted van Heemst eagerly awaits the birth of Alfred Nobel’s first WA foals.
“From any aspect, Alfred Nobel has a lot going for him,” said van Heemst.
“He was the most precocious juvenile of his year in Ireland, a country that continues to dominate European racing, and was successful at the highest level.
“He is by the all conquering Danehill Dancer/ Danehill/Danzig line and his maternal family simply cannot be questioned.
“He’s bred on the speed/stamina cross that is now clearly the superior producing element in world racing.
“And we are bouyed by the respect in which he, and his foals, are held overseas.”