Winner: Chartreux (Catbird-French Resort)
Race: WATC Derby G1 (2400m)
Sold for: $70,000
Sale: 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Toreby Park
Buyer: Mark Pilkington Bloodstock
Earnings: $468,692
Owner(s): SL & Mrs PT Bell, RD Pitcher, PJ Gibbons, Ms DA Mutton, JE O’Brien, MC Jobling, CB McKenna & A Makiv
Trainer: David Hayes (Flemington)

The Eastern Staters struck in today’s $500,000 Group One WATC Derby (2400m) at Ascot when David Hayes and Brad Rawiller teamed up to win with Chartreux.

But the win still had a local slant with Chartreux having been purchased by Lindsay Park’s bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington for $70,000 from the 2008 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

Chartreux was given a lovely ride throughout from the inside barrier and when the whips were cracking in the straight it was he who finished too well and found the line first.

David Hayes’ nephew and Lindsay Park representative Sam Hayes was all smiles in the winner’s stall after the race.

“It’s a fantastic thrill to win Group One races,” Hayes commented. “They don’t come along that often.”

“For this group of owners and for David it’s an absolute thrill.”

The race was an easy one to watch from the stands according to Hayes who praised Brad Rawiller for a perfect ride.

“It was a beautiful ride. Never during the race was there any reason for concern.”

“He gave him a beautiful ride – pulled out at the right time.”

Hayes said Chartreux had developed during his most recent spell and could develop into a Cups horse in the spring.

“The horse had come back this preparation and really improved. As with stayers you can quickly go from a handicapper to a Group horse and that’s what he’s shown.”

For Rawiller the win continued a great run he’s had when riding in Perth.

“It’s been a great ride for me every time I come to Perth,” he noted.

“We had a great run. He was spot on and it ended up a pretty easy win.”

Rawiller was bubbling with confidence when arriving at Ascot today – knowing he was on one of the horses to beat.

“My confidence soared when he drew the barrier (one) and then when I got over Monday night and then rode him Tuesday morning.”

“His work was super. I was brimming with confidence after his gallop.”

At the post Chartreux ($5.50) raced away to beat Bridgestone ($5.50) by three parts of a length.

Another length and a quarter back in third place was the highly regarded local Brother Mak ($3.50 fav).

Chartreux is turning out a great money spinner for his merry band of owners.

With four wins and four placings from just 12 runs his earnings sit at an imposing $468,692 – not bad for $70,000 yearling sale purchase.

The gelding is the second WATC Derby winner for Catbird following in the hoofsteps of Cats Fun. He is his sires 19th stakes winner.

Chartreux’s dam, the Bonhomie mare French Resort, was a star staying mare whose career reached its peak when she won the Group One Adelaide Cup.

Along with three other stakes wins and nine in all, French Resort earned over $447,000 prior to being retired to stud.

As well as Chartreux, French Resort has thrown the classy winners Resort to Rory, Our Last Resort and French Snip.

The latter has in turn produced the city winners Snip Esprit and Babieca Noire.