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First Winner for Van Nistelrooy 3 Jan 2007
After a number of impressive trials performers over the last few months, Van Nistelrooy (USA) (Storm Cat) got off the mark at the races yesterday when Vanny Fair (NZ) (ex French Flute) romped away to a two and a quarter length victory at the Wairarapa race meeting.

“She won very nicely,” said trainer Ross Elliot. “She has done everything right from the beginning and even though it was a small field, she won by a good margin and was pulling away from them,” he said. “Chris Johnson rode her and was quite impressed with the performance,” said Ross.

With a third and a first in two trails already under her belt, this race was deemed a good starting point to get a measure on Vanny Fair and Elliot has the New Zealand Bloodstock Classique in mind if all goes well over the next couple of weeks. “By the time we get home it will have been a big trip for her so she will have an easy time over the next few days and then we will go from there,” he said.

Vanny Fair was sold by Trelawney Stud at the 2006 Premier Sale. The fifth foal out of stakes winning-mare French Flute, she is a half sister to two winners and was one of two yearlings by Van Nistelrooy purchased by Jim Simpson at Karaka in 2006, the other being a colt out of Clinique (NZ) (Dance Floor) who is currently in the stable of Noel Mayfield-Smith in Australia.

“We’ve got about six horses in work at the moment and she is the only winner we have had of late so we are very happy,” said Australian-based owner Jim Simpson who was on hand at Karaka last year to purchase the filly. “Although it wasn’t a very strong field she won as she liked which is always good to see,” he said. “The trip away will have been a good experience for her and I’m sure she will improve with the run and if she does line up in the Classique, we will definitely be coming over” he said.

The progeny of Van Nistelrooy were well sought after by the buying bench at the 2006 yearling sales. Six of his progeny sold for over six figures at Karaka while in Australia, his yearlings sold upwards of A$135,000 with a top price of A$220,000.

“It is certainly a good way to start the New Year,” said Brent Taylor of Trelawney Stud in reference to Vanny Fair’s victory. “It’s nice to get that first win on the board for Van Nistelrooy – the first of many I’m sure,” he said. “Our earlier expectations were to see some earlier points on the board but once in training, the general consensus from trainers is that they will only get better with time so we are looking forward to the autumn,” he said. “It is also nice to see Jim Simpson getting an early result as he purchased two Van Nistelrooy yearlings off us at the sales in 2006,” said Brent.

2007 sees just under forty yearlings by Van Nistelrooy catalogued for the New Zealand Bloodstock Sales Series. He has just completed his fourth southern hemisphere season at Trelawney Stud and returned to Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in America just last week. “He received solid support from breeders this season on the back of some good talk about his progeny from trainers and breakers,” said Brent. “He has progeny in the leading stables of New Zealand and Australia such as John Hawkes, Stephen McKee, David Hayes, Mark Walker, Gai Waterhouse, Mike Moroney and, Graeme Rogerson and Stephen Autridge and all reports suggest a big year ahead,” he said.