| At the Inglis Australian
Easter Yearling Sale in 1989 a filly who would be later named Joie de Vivre hit the
headlines when she was sold for a then filly record price of $1.25 million. The record
stood until earlier this month when Stratheden Stud’s Danehill-Sommes Sound filly was
knocked down for $1.5 million. A daughter of the
champion racehorse Denise’s Joy, who is the dam of Group One winner Joie Denise, Joie
de Vivre was expected to be one of the highlights of her catalogue.
Joining the stables of Hall of Fame trainer Bart Cummings
Joie De Vivre, a daughter of the former brilliant sprinter and leading sire Vain, made her
much anticipated racecourse debut at the New South Wales provincial track of Gosford and
she displayed a lack of potential to finish out of a place.
While it was quickly realised she wasn’t going to make
a name for herself on the track like she did in the sales ring, Joie de Vivre was
immediately retired to stud.
Her potential as a top class broodmare was uncovered
quickly when she produced the champion South African galloper Joie de Grise. A filly be
Kenmare, Joie de Grise's best win came in the Group One South African Fillies Sprint at
Scottsville. To prove that win was no fluke she did it again! She is the winner of four
other stakes races - three at Group level.
Most broodmare owners would be content with one of the
members of their "band" producing one good class performer. Joie de Vivre,
however is no one horse wonder.
When the champion qualities of Danehill were given their
chance to work wonders with Joie de Vivre there’s no surprise the result foal, now a
three-year-old, would be well above average.
The colt, who has since been gelded, is a member of the
powerful Gai Waterhouse stable in Sydney and is racing under the name of Arlington Road.
On Saturday Arlington Road further enhanced his already
impressive record when he led throughout and cleared away for a dazzling win in the Frank
Packer Plate over 2000 metres on a triple Group One raceday at Randwick.
Most most of the attention at the premier Sydney track was
focussed on the big races won by Victory Vein, Henderson Bay and Defier respectively, it
was hard not to notice the win of Arlington Road.
Joie de Vivre, who is now owned by high profile businessman
Gerry Harvey, has been represented by four runners, and all four are winners. Apart from
Joie de Grise and Arlington Road she is also the dam of Taksin and Joie d'Autumn.
The daughter of Vain is currently in foal to the former
champion racehorse cum sensation sire Octagonal. Unfortunately she missed to Flying Spur
in the previous breeding season. |
