Derby Day Double for the late & great High Chaparral

Derby Day proved to a wonderful reminder to the thoroughbred breeding industry of the brilliance of High Chaparral as a sire, through his sons, the exceptional Derby winner, Ace High and the Melbourne Cup bound, Lexus victor, Cismontane.

And for his fastest sire son at stud, Toronado, it is just further confirmation of the importance in replicating these valuable bloodlines.

While his first crops are already indicating that he is a first-class producer, once Toronado’s gallopers hit the track, they will aim to emulate their grandsire’s success and continue the High Chaparral legacy for future generations.

The dominant performance of the David Payne-trained Ace High in the $2 million Group 1 Victoria Derby, was exceptional as being caught wide on the turn, Jockey Tye Angland was lucky to hold the eventual winner when the front-runners accelerated in the straight.

"He relaxed in the bunched field, but when they took off, it fired him up. I just had to try and hold him for as long as I could to get the trip."

But once High Ace built up his momentum, he stretched out to an impressive two lengths win, showing his true class and talent.

Coming off an all-the-way win in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, Ace High is the 19th Group 1 winner for High Chaparral (IRE), who is also the sire of the 2009 Victoria Derby winner Monaco Consul, the last galloper to complete the Spring Champion Stakes / Derby Double.

Earlier in the day, Cismontane became the 106th stakes-winner for High Chaparral when the five-year-old secured a hard-earned victory in the Group 3 Lexus Stakes to take his place in Tuesday’s $6.2 million Melbourne Cup.

"A phenomenal performance, he's incredibly tough, and there's still a lot more to come from this horse going forward. We are very keen to see him in the Melbourne Cup, and the 3200 metres will suit him down to the ground, co-trainer Adrian Bott said.

High Chaparral was a son of the legendary Sadler’s Wells, a six-time Group 1 winner at 2, 3 & 4 claiming the 2002 Epsom-Irish Derby double and consecutive wins in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Group 1 gallopers from his southern hemisphere crops include So You Think, It’s A Dundeel, Ace High, Monaco Consul, Tivaci, Shoot Out, Contributor, Montoya’s Secret and Descarado. Stars of his Irish stud career include Toronado, Wigmore Hall, Redwood, Wrote, and High Jinx.

Incredibly popular with breeders, Toronado, the fastest son of High Chaparral is now patiently waiting for his opportunity to produce his own Group 1 winners and black-type success stories.

Combining a blue-blood pedigree with his powerful physique and high-class performances, Swettenham principal Adam Sangster said Toronado, who shuttles to Australia under a partnership with owner Al Shaqab, was exceeding expectations.

“The Toronado yearlings will show off the quality that as a sire, he is producing in the northern and southern hemisphere.”

“His foals are throwing very much to himself. Toronado was a speed son of High Chaparral, and he performed in Europe’s Group One stallion-making mile races.”

For breeders who have supported Toronado in his first two seasons, the quality of his progeny provide great confidence, and there is no doubt that with his talent and precociousness, the son of High Chaparral is incredible value at $22,000 Inc. GST.

Swettenham Stud wishes Cismontane the best of luck in the Cup and looking to the Kennedy Oaks on Thursday, let's cheer for High Chaparral fillies Bring Me Roses and Hiyaam. Having filled the top two placings in the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes, lets hope they also continue High Chaparral’s successful run of form.

#Toronado