An International Fantasy
Wednesday, December 31st
While Premier Fantasy’s star has been on a gradual ascent on the home front in the past twelve months, the Ballickmoyler based sire has also been striking a chord on the international front. A sizeable number of “straws” have been exported and they are certainly bearing fruit!
In the US, for instance, OJ Kellen has been doing a mighty job of advertising the merits of the Irish superstar. The son of Premier Fantasy and San Tan Rewind finished second in the final of the Dick Andrews Futurity at Palm Beach Kennel Club on St Stephen’s Day. He was up front all the way in the final and was only caught late on by Yahoo Omar before being beaten a length in 29.82.
Meanwhile down in Australia a number of Premier Fantasy pups have been catching the eye. One of these is the rather “Oirish” named Shamus O’Shaw who has been getting them talking in New South Wales.
The Ruth Matic trained son of Premier Fantasy and Sophie’s Belle has created quite a stir at Richmond and produced a big run at a recent Friday night meeting. Coming back from a first track success a week earlier, Shamus O’Shaw hit the front on the final bend and flew up the straight to win by seven lengths in 30.81
This brought Shamus O’Shaw’s record to five wins and four placings from just eleven career starts. There have been quite a number of Premier Fantasy winners in Australia in recent weeks. Among these were Lagoon Amy (ex Gandole Serenade), Tourist Col, Premier Tanist and Third Edition (ex Olympic Tourist); Ashby Jewel (ex Groovy Jewel), Fantasy Girl (ex Stunning Girl); Hellyeah Maggie (ex Creative); Menado and Flash Of Light (ex Trendy La Maze); Perfect Paddy (ex Perfect Heart); Davey Bale (ex Tally Bale); Gibborn Bale (ex Carbella Bale), Jester Monelli and Fantasy Monelli (ex Foolish Girl), etc.
Other Irish sires spotted among the winners are Ten Men, Phoenix Ice, Spiral Nikita, Late Late Show, Kings Cadet, Sonic Flight, Mobhi Gamble, Droopys Kewell and World Class.
Toms The Best Dies
Tuesday, December 16th
Legendary tracker and sire Toms The Best has died at 13 years of age. The great racer holds the most unique record in the sport as the only dog to have won both the Irish and English Derbys.
The son of Frightful Flash and Ladys Guest was bred by Ian Greaves and was bought by Eddie Shotton who passed him on to Nick Savva to be trained.
It was in 1997 that he won the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park when coming from behind to beat Vintage Prince by a length. He was then beaten narrowly by kennel companion Larkhill Jo in the Scottish Derby but he then stormed to a most impressive victory in the 1998 English Derby at Wimbledon.
He stood at stud with Richie O’Regan in Rathcormac but moved back to Savva after being retired from stud some months back.