Smart Debut Win for Papillon

Rock of Gibraltar had an impressive debut winner at Sandown on Wednesday in the shape of well bred filly Papillon (2f Rock of Gibraltar x Perfect Persuasion, by Encosta de Lago). Much was made of the fact Black Caviar’s half-sister equalled the Australian record price for a yearling filly sold at auction when fetching $2,6 million last week at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and the filly she shares the honour with is the dam of Papillon. Back in 2006, Yarraman Park hit the heights at Inglis Easter selling a full sister to champion filly Alinghi by Encosta de Lago from Oceanfast for $2.6 million that was snapped up by Demi O’Byrne for Coolmore and partners. Named Perfect Persuasion, she was dispatched to Lee Freedman (who also trained Alinghi) and despite her good looks proved to have limited ability, winning once from 10 starts and earning Black Type when third in the Listed MVRC Talindert Stakes behind Blue Diamond winner Sleek Chassis and fourth in the Group III SAJC Breeders Stakes. Sent to Rock of Gibraltar in her first season at stud, Perfect Persuasion produced a filly, who was sold by Coolmore at the 2011 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $160,000 to Badgers Bloodstock and races for a syndicate of Freedman stable clients. Named Papillon, she made her debut today for Anthony Freedman and came home a winner as a short priced favourite. A touch slow from the gates, Papillon recovered and made ground to settle midfield and when given clear running in the straight she accelerated strongly to the line to win the 1000 metre dash in good style. With her first foal now a winner, Perfect Persuasion has started her stud career on a positive note and has a Fastnet Rock weanling filly to follow and is back in foal to the budding super sire.