Winner: Famous Roman (Danetime-Famous Friend)
Race: WATC Northerly Stakes LR (1400m)
Sold for: $75,000
Sale: 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Dawson Stud
Buyer: Dato Dr Henry Ooi
Sold for: $121,000
Sale: 2006 National Horses in Training Sale
Vendor: Stratribe Pty Ltd
Buyer: Ken Williamson
Earnings: $395,950
Owner(s): Ms CS Trimboli
Trainer: Jim Taylor (Bullsbrook)
Famous Roman will be set for the Group One Railway Stakes after he scored a thrilling last stride win in today’s listed Northerly Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
On the same day that Northerly himself delighted racegoers with a cameo performance at the Caulfield Cup it was Famous Roman who took the accolades in the Perth feature.
Having his second start for new trainer Jim Taylor, Famous Roman nosed out proven Group One winner Megatic in a thrilling four way finish. Colour Correct, the $2.70 favourite, was a nose back in third place.
Mekong Miss, who looked the winner in the straight, wound up in fourth position – about a head from the winner.
“I thought Megatic had just beaten us,” a relieved Jim Taylor said.
“I knew we were coming at him and I thought we got him just after the line.”
Famous Roman is a new addition to the Taylor stable and “debuted” recently with an eye catching second to stablemate Shock Value in the listed Birthday Stakes.
“It’s been one of those mixed years. I’ve lost a lot of good horses and to pick up a horse like this is a bit of a bonus.”
While he’s no Hay List, Taylor, who prepared that current sprinting star prior to its transfer to the eastern states, says they do have something in common.
“He’s the only horse who takes the work that Hay List took – if they’ve got that constitution they can take that work.”
And the entire could boost her future stallion value if he can perform well at racing’s elite level later this year at the Perth Summer Carnival.
“The Railway is his big ambition – to try and win a Group One race then we could make a sire of him,” Taylor said.
Bred by Graham and Christine Daws’ Dawson Stud, Famous Roman was originally sold by them as the 2006 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $75,000.
He was then re-sold by the Startribe outfit for $121,000 to former trainer Ken Williamson at the Horses in Training Sale later that year.
A half brother to Famous Roman by outstanding Western Australian based sire Bletchley Park is being prepared by Dawson Stud for February’s 2011 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
The colt is a lovely individual who is sure to catch the attention of astute buyers at the popular Belmont Park based auction.
