June 2011

It was a great day's racing at the Alabar NSW Breeders Challenge finals at Tabcorp Park Menangle and an exciting result for Pepper Tree Farm with two of the four Group 1 winners being graduates from the farm.

Louvre (Art Major - My Ami Lee) took out the 2YO Fillies final, showing her toughness and ability in overcoming a wide barrier draw to claim victory ahead of Lettucereason and Oh Eye See.

Bred and reared at Pepper Tree Farm, Louvre is bred in the purple being a full sister to Derby winner and Victorian 2YO of the year, Renaissance Man 1:55 $271,239 and a half sister to Oaks winner, Miss Hazel 1:57 $310,063. In winning the Breeders Challenge final, Louvre became the third Group 1 winner from her dam. The filly is trained by Susan Hunter for Sloys Harness Racing.

The 3YO Colts final was tipped as a battle between the two best 3YO pacers of this season - Sushi Sushi and Excel Stride,both Pepper Tree Farm graduates - and it didn't disappoint.

Sushi Sushi kept his undefeated record for this season in tact, but Excel Stride lost no admirers with a tenacious run from his wide barrier - the pair drawing away as they battled it out down the straight.

Sushi Sushi (Art Major - Sabilize) 1:54.1 $753,361 has also taken out the Victoria Derby and became the first Australian horse to claim victory in the Great Northern Derby in New Zealand earlier this year.

Excel Stride ( Aces N Sevens - Arma Dominator) 1:54.2 $305,451 won the 2YO Colts Breeders Challenge final last season and added another Group 1 to his tally with victory in the NSW Derby this year.