Prowess Much the Best in Vinery Stud Stakes

Proisir engraved his rising star status on the Australasian stallion landscape when the Rich Hill Stud resident stallion sired a 3-year-old feature race double at Rosehill Gardens on March 25th led by a rampant win for his daughter capabilities in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1).

Success for Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Prowess, who drove to a three-quarters win midway through the Rosehill Straight, secured Proisir his tenth Group 1 win as the father of five Group 1 winners, while less than three hours earlier Tapildoodledo handed the stallion a 12th individual stakes winner when he claimed the Tulloch Stakes (G2) with a run up on the outside.

The AU$2.15 favorite was sent off for a first and coveted Australian Group 1 spot. Prowess stormed into the lead under Mark Zahra with 200 meters to go and overtook the leader soul choice and in the end runner-up Pavitraand victory was never in doubt from the moment she loomed on the shoulder of her pacemaking rivals.

Golden Slipper (G1) winner. fire blight gave another glimpse of her ability to claim third place when the best of five horses was severed by a head at the finish.

Prowess’ assistant trainer James, who took his list of Australian Group 1 winners to six either alone or in partnership with Wellwood, thought the filly was the best of a talented group he has coached in his established career.

“I could have waited 40 years for this one. She’s special,” James said. “She does things I couldn’t do with any other horse and I’m very blessed.

“I won this race Sixty seconds, but this filly does special things. I have long believed that she could be the best I have ever trained. She’s a superstar, this filly.”

Despite an entry for the Australian Oaks (G1) at Randwick on April 8, Prowess will return to New Zealand but it will not be the last time the star filly is seen on Australian soil as James has more next season tasmanian riches plans .

“The world is at her feet. Without being silly, there’s a lot of money to be had in Australia as an older horse and she’s had quite a big season,” he said.

“She’s been to the South Island and back, she’s still learning her game too. We’ll come home and enjoy what we just saw and we can make plans from there.”

Zahra, who is riding Prowess for the first time, received the ride due to a suspension for champion jockey James McDonald.

“I was able to sit up and enjoy Group 1,” said Zahra. “Apologies to J Mac but he has almost 100 (Group 1 wins) and another 100 coming next year so I’ll take one.”

Prowess, who fetched AU$230,000 as a yearling when she was bought by her trainers, is one of four winners from four runners and the only Stakes winner from Donna Marie, herself a 12-start dam. She was bred and sold by Mark Baker’s Hallmark Stud at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

The Australian triumphs for Prowess – winner of the last Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (G1) start in her home country – and coached by Kerry Taplin Tapildoodledoadded further emphasis on an exceptional season for Proisir, led by his 3-year-old vintage.

“SHE’S AWESOME!”

Kiwi filly Prowess finishes best with a dominant win in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes! pic.twitter.com/fyW4oAST3B

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 25, 2023