Tallyho Twinkletoe on the way to victory in last weekend’s Grand National steeplechase. PHOTO/RACE IMAGES SOUTH
RACING
If anyone needed reminding about Ardsley Stud’s ability to raise top-level racehorses, they got a double reminder last Saturday.
Outstanding jumper Tallyho Twinkletoe, who created history when winning the Grand National steeplechase over 5600m, and Sierra Sue, victorious in Melbourne, were raised on the Wallace family’s Wairarapa farm.
Tallyho Twinkletoe raced into the record books at Riccarton, becoming the first horse to complete the Australian and New Zealand Grand National steeplechase and hurdle double.
The 11-year-old was bred by Ardsley Stud owner Jim Wallace’s father, Jim senior, out of Albacora, a mare by the stud’s successful stallion Lord Ballina who won six races for Wallace.
Tallyho Twinkletoe was a $2000 buy at the 2012 Karaka May sale as a yearling. He was subsequently sold for $9000 at the South Island sale in August 2012 to current part-owner Jo Rathbone.
“He was just a nice, plain, correct horse, but by St Reims, a stallion that nobody wanted. At that stage, the mare hadn’t done much, so he didn’t sell for much,” Wallace said.
“He’s a tribute to Jo and to Kevin [Myers, trainer], who have patched him up and kept him sound and kept him going. He hasn’t been straightforward, and they’ve done a fantastic job
with him.”
Rathbone with her co-owners are considering a lightning raid across the Tasman with Tallyho Twinkletoe to contest the Australian Grand National steeplechase over 4500m on August 29.
Sierra Sue capped a great day for Ardsley Stud by winning the Group Two PB Lawrence Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield.
Sierra Sue was foaled at Ardsley Stud and didn’t reach her reserve of $30,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale in 2018.
She was eventually bought by Waikato trainer Peter Lock at the 2019 Karaka May Sale as an untried two-year-old for $2000.
“She was a lovely, big, strong filly, and I couldn’t believe she only made $2000,” Wallace said.
“My daughter was leading her around the ring and Peter came up to me and said, ‘What’s wrong with this thing?’
“I said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with her at all’, and he went and bought her.”
Lock prepared her to win a trial at Te Aroha in December 2019 by 4½ lengths. Shortly afterwards, she was sold to a group of Australian owners.
“It was great to see her win on Saturday, and I understand she’s probably heading to the Memsie Stakes [Group One, 1400m] in a fortnight,” Wallace said. “If she could win that, it would be fantastic.”
The Wallace family has produced numerous outstanding gallopers over the years, among them Kip, Cent Home, Bureaucracy, and Titch, and they have no problem whether they are winning on the flat or over fences.
“My father raced a number of jumpers and I’ve trained a number. We just want to breed racehorses, whether they’re jumpers or two-year-olds, and we take a lot of pleasure from seeing them winning.” – NZ RACING DESK
