Redoute's Choice

Danehill (USA) - Shantha's Choice
FOALED: 1996

Redoute's Choice created history when he won the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes only a week after his debut at Caulfield. He won the Blue Diamond easily, beating subsequent VRC Sires winner (G1) Testa Rossa, who went on to win the VRC Sires Produce Stakes, another very good colt . The beautifully bred bay colt, by champion sire Danehill, and out Shantha's Choice, a Canny Lad half sister to Hurricane Sky and Umatilla, was a short price favourite to win the Golden Slipper Stakes after his connections paid the $100,000 late entry fee for the unbeaten colt, trained by Rick Hore-Lacy, to contest the race. Shane Dye elected to get off Shogun Lodge to partner Redoute's Choice in the Slipper, in the hope of winning a 5th, and record, Golden Slipper. However in a raceday sensation, Redoute's Choice came down with a serious bout of travel sickness, and was withdrawn from the Slipper hours before the race.

When he reappeared as a 3yo in the Spring, he was sensational in winning the Group 1 WFA Manikato Stakes first up, keeping his unbeaten record intact. He then finished unplaced on an unsuitable surface in the Ascot Vale behind Spargo and Testa Rossa, and next ran third to the latter in the G1 VicHealth Cup after being wide all the way. Redoute's Choice and Testa Rossa clashed next in the classic G1 Caulfield Guineas, and, with Jimmy Cassidy on board, Redoute's Choice prevailed in a stirring finish after being headed and looking beaten in the straight. He was strongly favoured to win the Cox Plate, but never looked like beating the brilliant Sunline, and faded to finish 5th. His arch rival Testa Rossa ran a terrific race in the Cox Plate, actually passing Redoute's Choice in the straight to finish 4th. Redoute's Choice then went for a spell, during which a half share in the colt was sold to Arrowfield Stud for a reported $5million, valuing the Danehill colt at $10million.

Returning from his spell in January 2000, Redoute's Choice ran a very good second (first-up) to Miss Pennymoney in the Group 1 Australian Stakes over 1200m. He then bounced back to defeat the filly by a neck in the CF Orr Stakes in a grinding display of determination at his next start. He then ran third to his old foe Testa Rossa in the Futurity Stakes, who proved far too slick for the big Danehill colt over the 1400m. With his future again in doubt, connections then announced that his campaign would continue, but over the longer distances, which were surely more suitable. Unfortunately we didn't find out how well he'd go over more distance. Despite numerous assurances that all was well and that the colt would take his place in the field, Redoute's Choice was withdrawn from the Australian Guineas on the morning of the race because the track was "too hard".

In a bitter blow to racegoers (and myself, because I liked him!) Redoute's Choice was retired to stud without another start. The colt's value as a stallion had always meant it would be difficult for Hore-Lacy to prove just how good he really was, and unfortunately this strapping colt was wrapped in the proverbial cotton wool (a la Best Western in the early 1980s) during his brief final campaign. Perhaps his last preparation was not well planned in hindsight. His autumn target, the Doncaster Handicap, was probably shorter than the colt's best distance and perhaps a campaign aimed at the feature staying races, such as the AJC Derby, would have been more suitable. It was certainly a very disappointing end to the colt's racing career. Redoute's Choice retires to the prestigous Arrowfield Stud for a service fee of $30,000. It appears as though his great rival Testa Rossa be race on as a 4yo which will please many racegoers.

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1999 Blue Diamond Stakes	1999 Blue Diamond Stakes
1999 Blue Diamond Stakes	1999 Caulfield Guineas
1999 Caulfield Guineas	2000 CF Orr Stakes (G1)
2000 CF Orr Stakes (G1)