22nd January 2011

We have been hearing glowing reports from trainers about the first crop of horses sired by Churchill Downs. What is even more pleasing is one of his early runners hails from a family enriched in Blue Gum Farm.

Bladon may have gone by the narrowist of margins today but he continues the families tradition of high class ability and showcasing such ability as a 2YO. Bladon himself has had two career starts now, his debut run at Caulfield on Boxing Day 2010 was full of merit, working home hard for 4th, beaten only 3.4 lengths by the highly touted Golden Archer. Today's run at Flemington continued the progression, up from 1000m to 1200m, Bladon went down in a head bobbing duel with another well spruiked youngster in Redangelo.

The early promise displayed by Bladon should not come as a surprise especially upon looking at his pedigree. Bladon himself was bred and raised at Blue Gum Farm and graduated through the 2010 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, being knocked down to Mark Pilkington on behalf of David Hayes for $140,000. His dam in Weekend Surprise (Rubiton x Seaside Attraction) was herself a very talented 2YO. Trained by Mick Price she won on debut in December 1999 by 5 Lengths at Cranbourne over 1000m. She was put out for a spell and returned with two decisive wins at Caulfield and Sandown both over 1000m by 1.5 Lengths and 1.3 Lengths. As a broodmare she has already showcased her talents, she has had five foals to race, for three winners including producing the G3 Winner in Dan Baroness.

Thus Bladon's early promise continues the family tradition. It comes as a timely reminder as we have Bladon's full brother in preparation for the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Lot 350 to go under the hammer on Tuesday 1st March 2011. In addition to this Weekend Surprise has a lovely Elvstroem Colt at foot, born 29/8/2010 and she is in foal to Blue Gum Farm's Dual G1 Winning First Season Stallion in Turffontein.

May the family tradition continue.