Spirit Of Bunbury

Spirit Of Bunbury is everybody’s favourite horse – beautiful to look at, with a temperament to match, and a blistering turn of foot.

In his short career he had only 11 races, winning five, over distances ranging from 1200 to 1600 metres, including a Saturday Metro race, and was placed in a further five. His first ever race, as a 3 year old, saw him set a new track record at Bunbury, and in his last race, the following season, he was 2nd to the ill-fated Charlie Beau, when both horses broke the Ascot track record over 1400 metres.

He was being aimed, with confidence, at the Railway Stakes as a 5 year old but, tragically, a final trial at Larkhill on poor ground resulted in a serious injury, ending his career. Peter still regards him as potentially one of the best horses he has ever trained.

Spirit Of Bunbury recovered well enough to cover a couple of Peter’s own mares last season, and his first foal has just arrived - see pictures below

On his sire’s side, he comes from the same superb line as Scopaciri.

		Brave Lad (GB)	by Bold Lad
	Rancher
Sire		Awakening	by Virginia Gentleman (GB)
Vain Rancher
		Vain	by Wilkes (FR)
	Misty Vain
		Melodina	by Regal Light (IRS)
		Marooned (GB)	by Mill Reef (USA)
	Island Morn
Dam		After Dawn	by Twig Moss (FR)
Miss Moretto
		Haulpak	by Dignitas (USA)
	Rimoretto
		Common Pattern	by Commoner (USA)

Sire Vain Rancher (AUS) (chestnut, 1987 – stud 1991). 4 wins, 2 as a 2 year old. 2nd in Group 3 WATC Tattersall’s Stakes. Sire of 119 runners, 71 winners, including Stakes winner Bumbelina (WATC Easter Stakes, Group 3), Risky Rancher, Stakes placed Mr O’Malley, Casper Cowboy, Scopaciri, Rancher’s Boy, Rulain, Decision To Go, Head West, Resale, Vail Ruling, Timeless Bay, Vain Action, Vain And Wild, Vain Warragul, Star Of Vain, Vain And Free, Glen Erin Lass, Like A Vain, Beau Rancher, Spirit Of Bunbury etc. Winner to runner ratio an outstanding 60%!

Damsire Vain was Champion Racehorse, multiple Champion Sire, and Champion Australian Broodmare Sire.

Grandsire Rancher was Australian Champion 2 year old.

Dam Miss Moretto – half sister to Stakes winner Jevoretto, a smart sprinter who won 9 races and over $160,000 before going to Singapore.

Damsire Island Morn comes from an extremely strong bloodline through Marooned, by Mill Reef, winner of the English Derby.

He is now standing at Peter’s Gelorup property, at an introductory fee of $2,200 including GST. However a discount may be negotiated for Metro winning mares.

SPIRIT OF BUNBURY'S FOALS


Spirit of Bunbury's second crop are putting in an early appearance, heralded by the arrival of a beautifully-formed colt to Polish Mist on 4th August.

Spirit Of Bunbury's very first foal, born in 2008 - seen here at one week old - out of a half-sister to three-time winner Spirited Rocket, is now one of several healthy yearlings..

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