First Seal
They tuned in from across China, France, Malaysia and of course Australia, a diverse group of owners eager to see their charge perform on a national stage. And perform she did. First Seal, bred to be a queen and blessed with a physique in keeping with an Olympian, stamped herself as the dominant filly of her generation when exploding away to win the G1 $400,000 Coolmore Flight Stakes (1600m) in Sydney, Australia by a widening three lengths.
In doing so, First Seal became the first Group 1 winner for the China Horse Club in Australia and the third the club has been associated with around the world. The CHC’s now well recognized red silks with yellow stars have previously been carried to success in the G1 Longines Singapore Gold Cup and into battle across eight countries in all. It is a heady start. No less than 45 international winners since Scarlet Moretta saluted on debut in March 2013 and14 stakes wins with seven individual stakes winners.
“These are the experiences you live for. These are the moments that are so rewarding. To share this with family, with friends, with our fellow owners and members is truly special,” said Mr Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club.
“I couldn’t make the race but I tuned in from France. My phone has not stopped ringing since. When you win a race people want to share it with you and we want to share moments like this with them.
“The members of the CHC are blown away. Hopefully First Seal can continue to carry all of our aspirations. She has us dreaming.
“To John Thompson and his team, to Blake Shinn … magnificent. On behalf of all of our members I can’t thank them enough.”
Dato Yap Kin San, breeder and co-owner, was on hand to enjoy the moment as was Duncan Ramage who singled the filly from the Karaka Sales ring and who was representing fellow owners Dato Tan Chin Nam, Tunku Ahmad Yahaya and John Chua.
“First Seal is the best filly I have trained and I’m so happy to have her,” Thompson said.
“We always knew she was good and to win this has cemented her reputation. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing [with well wishes] which is fantastic. I’m happy for [First Seal], for the owners and for Blake [Shinn]. I’m happy.”
The CHC’s association with Thompson traces back to a commitment made by the quietly spoken trainer during last year’s autumn carnival. When approached about an opportunity to be the head trainer at the inaugural China Equine Cultural Festival, Thompson moved quickly. Within a week he was in China for further discussions. A few months later a team of personnel had been assembled to oversee an Australian based team of runners and on 21st September 2013 he was being presented with a Longines timepiece by Hong Kong movie star and Longines Ambassador Aaron Kwok after leading in the winner of the RMB500,000 Longines Mile.
The Randwick based mentor has a further three unraced performers for the CHC so today will hopefully not be the last time Thompson ‘quarterbacks’ a win at one of Australia’s premier racetracks.
“It is a weighty task asking any of our unraced stock to follow in the footsteps of First Seal but hope springs eternal,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager for the CHC.
“John is a fantastic person and also a tremendously gifted and dedicated trainer. We’re delighted to be a part of his team and that he is part of our team and I have no doubt that, whatever the abilities levels of this unraced trio, John will tap into it.”
No decision has been made on First Seal’s next race appearance with Thompson expected to assess his star filly in the coming days before making a decision.