New Group One Winner for Choisir

Choisir's headline performer Starspangledbanner was officially retired earlier this week, the stallion moving quickly to replace him with a new Group One winner in Sacred Choice. Sacred Choice (5m Choisir x Sacred Habit, by Sir Tristram) sent her future broodmare value soaring when she upstaged Typhoon Tracy in the Group I $502,500 Myer Classic over 1600 metres at Flemington on Saturday. Enjoying the heavy track conditions after persistent afternoon rain, Sacred Choice came from well back in the field to win easily. A modest purchase, she was secured for just $40,000 from the draft of Goodwood Farm at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. "It doesn't get much better than this," said winning trainer Joseph Pride. "Really happy with the mare's effort." "We snuck her down here on Thursday night - we've got a special way we work her at home and I didn't want to upset her routine - so it's a very pleasing result. We work her down the polo fields at Warwick Farm. It's a fantastic training facility and we've got a few options where the horses don't have to go around in circles around a rail and it just suits this mare," he added. "She's a real trier and she deserved to win a big race - but to get one like this - one of the biggest mares' races in Australia - is a fantastic result." Sacred Choice held a four and a half length margin over reigning Australian Horse of the Year, Typhoon Tracy. Considering she cost just $40,000 at the Gold Coast, Sacred Choice has done an incredible job for her connections including well known owner breeder Glenn Fraser and his family. Her earnings have raced to $691,390 - and she's now a valuable broodmare prospect - being a winner at racing's elite level. Sacred Choice is the second Group One winner for her sire Choisir - following in the hoofsteps of globetrotting sprinter Starspangledbanner. Her dam, the twice raced Sir Tristram mare Sacred Habit, is a three quarter sister to Golden Slipper winner and influential sire Marauding. Other members of her family are stakeswinners Nunkalowe, Voodoo Beat, Latin News, Inarticulate, Mithrandir and Distant Melody.