Enjoying the sunny life

Life is great in the Sunshine State - and that’s what connections of former Victorian mare Thesunandthemoon are saying since transferring their talented mare north late last year.

Now Thesunandthemoon is under the care of leading couple Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen at their Somerset Farms property at Patrick Estate, the four-year-old mare is thriving.

Raced by Brett Coffey from Alabar Bloodstock along with Cam Brown and Boag, the trio purchased the mare privately 12 months ago from former star horseman Justin Warwick who had the filly shipped back to Perth.

Bred by Alabar, the huge Australian breeding conglomerate that houses some of the finest stallions in the world offered the filly for sale via the 2022 Nutrien Yearling Sale in Melbourne (Lot 244). The filly was knocked down to the winning bid of Andy Gath acting on behalf of Warwick for $40,000.

The bay filly is a daughter of exciting prospect and former racetrack star Vincent from the Bettors Delight mare Snug Harbor, a mare who has had six foals to race for four winners including the richly talented Three Of The Best (27 wins, $268,000) for Queensland trainer Shannon Price.

It’s a rich pedigree that runs deep with notable stars including Courage Under Fire, Advance Attack, Cyclone Kate, Cyclone Prince, Chattanoogachoochoo and Our Chittybangbang among others.

Thesunandthemoon was placed into the care of noted educator Shane Young (of Wonderful to Fly fame) where she went through all of her breaking and pre-training.

Given a solitary educational trial followed by two official trials at Pinjarra, Thesunandthemoon was ready to hit the track as a racehorse.

Making her debut on April 19, 2023, at Bunbury and with leading reinsman Gary Hall Jnr booked, the filly was unwanted in betting and never threatened when fourth (beaten 32m) behind Ideal Muscle in a time of 1:58.0.

Sent for an immediate spell and then shipped back to Melbourne where she joined the stables of Gath, connections were keen to secure their Vicbred bonus.

In four starts for Gath, Thesunandthemoon scored her maiden victory at Geelong in a time of 1:57.5 while being placed on another two occasions before being sold to her current owners.

“We knew the filly well, being bred by us here at Alabar, and [after] a chance conversation with Andy, who outlined the filly was on the market, we snapped her up quickly after settling on a price and then switched her to the stables of Alex ‘Albie’ Ashwood,” Coffey said.

“It’s a great family and, being by Vincent, we were keen to give her a go and hopefully some wins would boost the profile of her father at the same time who was just starting out.”

Thesunandthemoon scored instantly for her connections and repaid the faith when scoring at Birchip (located on the southern edge of the Mallee in north-western Victoria) in easy fashion while rating 1:58.6.

A fourth place at Melton was followed by a string of minor placings before recording three successive victories at Mildura (twice) and Melton.

In her next six starts, Thesunandthemoon could only manage just one minor place before connections hit the fork in the road moment.

During her time with Ashwood, Thesunandthemoon raced 16 times for five wins and five minor placings while competing against some of the very best in the country.

Thesunandthemoon was placed second behind Lux Aeterna in the $150,000 Nutrien Classic Final at Melton while also finishing third behind Very Pretty and fourth behind Bay Of Biscay at Melton.

“We weren’t sure which way to go. It was getting close to the end of the racing season and the breeding season was in full swing, so we had to weigh up our options,” Coffey said.

“Ultimately, we thought she was too young, and she was very sound with good ability, so we decided to press on. The other alternative was putting her in foal to Always B Miki, but we hit pause on that idea.

“I didn’t know many trainers in Queensland and, through the stud side of the business, I’ve dealt with Chantal and Pete previously. We decided to send her up for some obvious reasons following a spell.

“Queensland has some wonderful opportunities for mares and if she could improve her mile rating, we thought that would only be beneficial once her racing days are over.”

Following a pair of excellent public trials at Albion Park in January, Thesunandthemoon was ready to make her Queensland debut for the Turpin/McMullen operation.

Starting at prohibitive odds owing to the trial efforts, Thesunandthemoon started in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mares Band 5 Pace at the famed Breakfast Creek oval on January 25, and she didn’t disappoint!

Overcoming a second line draw and sitting back towards the rear of the field for most of the race, Thesunandthemoon then unleashed a withering burst of speed for McMullen to outsprint her rivals in the 1660m event.

The winning time was 1:54.1 – a new personal best.

A fourth place the following week behind Sheza Bonny Sheila when stepping up to the mares open company event was followed by another Albion Park victory.

Again, starting favourite owing to her excellent local efforts to date, plus a kind draw, Thesunandthemoon showed versatility when leading all the way in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mares Open Pace in the hands of young reinsman Tom Callaghan.

This time, the winning mile rate was 1:52.8!

And as a bonus, the victory pushed her earnings past the $100,000 barrier.

So, in just five local starts, Thesunandthemoon has won twice, placed once and taken a new PB while her earnings have ballooned leaving connections quite content.

“It’s been a thrill watching her perform in Brisbane, from the trial efforts to the races, she’s gone to another level,” Coffey said.

“From a breeding perspective, it’s only enhanced the family a little more and that’s terrific.”

Some may say it’s been a very shrewd move.