Elite's Lass by Sebring

ELITE THOROUGHBREDS OFFER SHARES IN ARTISTIC LASS'S FIRST

Elite Thoroughbreds philosophy is to offer shares in thoroughbreds by proven sires - it's easy to understand why the principal Adrian Allan selected this filly by Sebring.

As a racehorse Sebring, trained by Gai Waterhouse, set his connections back $130,000 selected out of the 2007 Magic Millions sales ring, gave them a healthy return banking more than $2million after just six-starts winninig the 2008 Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200 m.) at Rosehill.

After the Golden Slipper win Waterhouse proved Sebring’s class and toughness and backed the colt up a week later to win another Group 1 feature this time at Randwick in the Sires' Produce Stakes over 1400 m.  Sebring did fail to win the Triple Crown, when he met third Samantha Miss (by Zabeel) in the third leg of in the Champagne Stakes (1600 m.) with the filly beating the colt by a short head.

At the end of Sebring’s two-year-old season his owners received an offer from Widden Stud, reported at the time as $30million, so they sold and the colt gave all concerned a massive return on their initial outlay.

Last spring Sebring commanded a covering fee of $66,000.00 (inc. GST) with the Australian Stud Book revealing the horse served 204 mares.   As of early May 2018, Sebring's statistics reveal 41 stakes winners, of those four have won at the highest level Dissident (ex Diana's Secret by Anabaa); Criterion (ex Mica's Pride by Bite the Bullet); Egg Tart (ex Mrs. Windsor by King’s Best) and Hong Kong Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Lucky Bubbles (ex Bubble Below by Hussonet).

Out of Purespeed a mare that descends from a line that produced the 1970 Golden Slipper and Sires' Produce Stakes winner Baguette (by Rego) in-turn sire of the 1980 Golden Slipper winner Dark Eclipse (ex Marjoram by Major General). Other notable performers in the family include Romantic Dream (ex Start Song by Rhythmic Light), Hit It Benny (ex Belmondo by Faux Tirage) and I Like Diamonds (ex As You Like It by Dignitas).    While maternal sire Flying Spur, winner of the 1995 Golden Slipper, daughters have produced seven Group 1 winners Preferment; Delago Deluxe;  Speak Fondly; Headway; Grand Journey and Shillelagh.

NOT ENOUGH?   Artistic Lass retired as a winner of five races earning connections more than $220,000 turn-in providing them many thrills during a 37-start racing career. A bay by Myboycharlie out of Famous Painter (by Peintre Celebre, Artistic Lass was covered for breeding duties in the spring of 2015.

The filly, that is subject of this offer, is Artistic Lass’ first foal with the mare producing another last spring by More than Ready.

Artistic Lass is a half-sister to the Group 2 VRC Edward Manifold Stakes winner Sistine Angel (by Testa Rossa) and Sistine Demon (by Excites) a winner of eight races including the Group 3 MRC Victoria Handicap.   They all descend from Rancheeta (by Rancher) a winner of eight races including the VRC Listed Milady Stakes and is in-turn the dam of seven foals, five raced and all are winners including Gallopini (G2 QTC Cup & five wins).

Once all of the shares in the filly have sold, Elite Thoroughbreds will manage the Horse Racing Syndicate on behalf owners.

Gary Portelli is a trainer with the philosophy to back the skills that made him a million-dollar-a-year, Group One trainer.

“We pride ourselves employing staff that care greatly for our horses” Portelli says.

“Our stable philosophy is that results are achieved from a combined effort. We ensure not only our horses are cared for but also our staff and owners.”

Portelli’s background in racing equipped him well to run a successful stable in one of the world’s most competitive racing jurisdictions. His grandfather was a jockey, his mother a trainer and almost from the time he could walk, he could ride.

When he took over his mother’s licence in 1990, and then moved from Orange in the NSW central west to Warwick Farm, he began learning about running a racing business – and his record suggests he learned well.

Portelli’s first Group 1 winner came in 2007 with the success of Rena’s Lady in the AJC Oaks, a second elite win was delivered by Gold Trail in 2010 in New Zealand’s premier sprint, the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie, his third was with Rebel Dane in the Sir Rupert Clark Stakes at Caulfield during the spring of 2013.

Rebel Dane a tough horse remained in training to the ripe old age of seven and at the horses fortieth start he delivered his connections a third win, more importantly a second Group 1 in the 2016 MVRC Manikato Stakes by the barest margin.

Portelli's last win at the highest level, was a fairy-tale, when he saddled-up the petite She Will Reign in the 2017 ATC $3.5million Group 1 Golden Slipper - on heavy ground.

Portelli nurtured the filly to more Group 1 success during her classic season, placing the filly in the MVRC Moir Stakes over 1000m under favourable weight-for-age conditions to allow the brown filly to deliver a knock-out blow to the older sprinters that included the Group 1 WATC Winterbottom and subsequent 2018 Magic Millions Sprint winner, Viddora.

She Will Reign has earned connections more than $3million in prizemoney giving the group a healthy return, as her owners bought the filly as a yearling for $20,000 out of the 2016 Inglis Classic Sale.

One of the measures of Portelli’s abilities is his success in training for syndicates.

His association with Elite Thoroughbreds has realised a steady flow of winners including Testashadow winner of the 2017 ATC Festival Stakes Group 3 (eight wins & more than $1.35 million in earnings), Sebring Sun, Cosmic Cameo, Next Level, Seeking Asylum, Miss Spoken – the retired Group 3 winner I’m All The Talk (Stratum – Weekend Gossip) that is now standing at Mungrup Stud in Western Australia.

Portelli, set the Elite Thoroughbreds owned Testashadow to win the 2017 Magic Millions Cup two-years after Straturbo won the 2015 Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) on that same day, Testashadow had finished runners-up in the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m) – that day is one of the most competitive days on the Queensland calendar each and every year.

“I am a great believer in a team environment as far as my stable is concerned. It may be my name printed as trainer but it is having a great team that helps get the best out of each and every horse,” Portelli said.