March 2011

Pepper Tree Farm graduate,Sushi Sushi continued his outstanding form to take out the $400,000 Group 1 Northern Derby in New Zealand - the first Australian horse ever to do so.

Having earned superlatives with his win in the Victoria Derby in February, Sushi Sushi again proved his speed and toughness in the Northern Derby. Challenged hard for most of the race by Ohoka Texas, Sushi Sushi was actually headed in the home straight but fought back to take victory in 1:57.4 – setting a New Zealand record.

Bred by Trevor Swan of Weona Standardbreds, Sushi Sushi 1:55.7 $639,361 is by Art Major from the great race mare, Sabilize 1:55.7 $355,056 and was reared at Pepper Tree Farm. Following a solid 2YO season in which he took out the Grp 1 Kevin Seymour Nursery Pace, was 2nd in the Australasian Breeders Crown final and 3rd in the Australian Pacing Gold final, Sushi Sushi has swept all before him in his 3YO season so far. His record now stands at 22 starts for 14 wins and 7 placings.

Excel Stride 1:55 $152,876 (Aces N’ Sevens – Arma Dominator) bred by Emilio and Maria Rosati – another Pepper Tree Farm graduate - was also in the Northern Derby final. “Having selected and imported both of these stallions – Art Major and Aces N’ Sevens – and reared both of these colts here at the farm, we are very proud of their achievements,” said Pepper Tree Farm principal, Rob Vandyke. “I have always asserted that we could breed horses here in Australia to rival those in New Zealand.”

The strength of Australian horses was further emphasised on the same night by the win of Fly Like An Eagle in the Grp 1 Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes for 2YO colts. Fly Like An Eagle (Mach Three – Three Eagles) was bred by Harvey Kaplan of Harshell Investments P/L and bought by Mark Purdon at the 2010 APG Premium Sale in Melbourne.