Pierro Toasted In Champange


All conquering juvenile Pierro confirmed his status as one of the greatest two-year-olds ever to have raced in Australia with a stunning win in today’s Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

In winning the colt by Lonhro completed the juvenile triple crown having already this preparation captured both the Golden Slipper Stakes and ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Unbeaten in six starts, Pierro heads to the paddock having collected his earnings almost $3 million in a faultless season.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse was again rolling out the superlatives as the outstanding colt streaked clear of his rivals again.

“Outstanding, absolutely outstanding,” the champion Hall of Famer beamed from the mounting enclosure.

“It is a privilege to see a horse as a good as him. Colts just don’t do what he’s done.”

“I have trained plenty of good two-year-olds and they rarely win races like this and the triple crown.”

“This horse is truly outstanding,” she added.

Regular rider Nash Rawiller likewise was beaming from the winner’s stall.

“He hs just been a phenomenal ride,” the delighted hoop said. “He’s been arrogant today, there is no other word to describe it.”

“He is just a magnificent horse.”

“You can push the button on him then get him to come back under you at any stage of the race.”

“There was never a worry in the world – he was too good.”

“He has continued to raise the bar and it has been more than my dreams could have imagined – it’s been unbelievable.”

Pierro, whose six wins have all been at stakes level, was bred and sold by Darley for $115,000 at the 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

He was purchased there by David Kobritz and then prepared by the Musk Creek Farm team for last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he made $230,000 to the bid of Gai Waterhouse.

One of 32 classy stakes winners for Lonhro, Pierro is from the Sydney winning Daylami mare Miss Right Note.

Miss Right Note is a half sister to the Group One winner Laverock – a close relation to Pierro being a son of Octagonal – the sire of Lonhro.

Winner: Pierro
Breeding: Lonhro-Miss Right Note (Daylami)
Race: ATC Champagne Stakes G1 (1600m)
Sold for: $115,000
Sale: 2010 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale
Vendor: Darley
Buyer: David Kobritz
Sold for: $230,000
Sale: 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Vendor Musk Creek Farm
Buyer: Gai Waterhouse
Earnings: $2,941,150
Owner(s): G & Mrs D Kolivos
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse (Randwick)