For many, the name Amelia Park is synonymous with high quality lamb. However, the equine breeding and racing arm of Amelia Park is also well recognised and respected in horse racing circles. The horse farm is continuing to enjoy success, following their strong performance at the Perth Magic Millions 2022 Yearling Sale, where they sold to 2nd top-priced lot on Day 1, and the top-priced lot on Day 2.
On the track, with several big race wins under their belt this season, the Amelia Park team recently took home the pinnacle of 2-year-old racing in Western Australia, when their homebred filly, Amelia’s Jewel, won the G2 Karrakatta Plate. The filly, by Siyouni and out of Bumbasina, had shown considerable ability in her early trackwork and scored an unbeaten black-type treble, comprising the LR Supremacy Stakes, G3 Gimcrack Stakes and G2Karrakatta. An impressive feat from only her first three race starts!
It was a heartfelt win for the Amelia Park team, as the filly is particularly special to them, given the story behind her breeding. Peter Walsh and his wife Annie took a leap of faith when they bought her Irish-bred dam Bumbasina for 75,000gns (AUD 140,000) at the 2018 Tattersalls July Bloodstock Sale. They then sent the mare to Haras de Bonneval in Normandy where she was covered by European stallion, Siyouni (Fr), to southern-hemisphere time.
It proved a fortuitous move, as Siyouni has since gone on to win the French 2YO sires’ title in 2018 & 2019 and the French General sires’ title in 2020 & 2021.
Bumbasina is now a valuable part of the Amelia Park breeding barn, and her colt, by Merchant Navy, was snapped up for $160,000 at this year’s Magic Millions Sales.
The future for Amelia’s Jewel is looking bright and she will most likely be aimed at the G3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and G2 WA Guineas (1600m) later this year before a possible move east for the autumn carnivals in twelve months.
With a focus on producing and growing sound equine athletes that reach their maximum genetic potential, astute management and optimum nutrition are a key component of the breeding program at Amelia Park. Milne Feeds equine nutrition advisor, Michelle Meylan, works closely with Amelia Park Breeding and Racing General Manager, Sarah Brown, to ensure steady, consistent growth in mares, foals and young horses, whilst providing a nutritional program that matches any seasonal variations. We wish the Amelia Park team the best of luck on their journey with Amelia’s Jewel.
See Amelia Park Breeding and Racing General Manager, Sarah Brown, talk more on their equine operations below.
Footnote: The Karrakatta Plate was a big win all round for WA stallions, and Milne Feeds customers, with place getters Baby Paris (Playing God) and Penny On The Queen (Universal Ruler), coming from stallions owned by Darling View Thoroughbred and Scenic Lodge respectively.
