Silver and Roses- the Hope Diamond


The world record price of US14 million dollars for reigning US Broodmare-Of-The-Year Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister – Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom) bodes well for Pencarrow Stud who own a half-sister to the record breaker.

The dam of both the 2006 and 2007 Group 1 Belmont Stakes winners Jazil (Seeking the Gold) and Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), as well as Group 2 winner Casino Drive (Mineshaft), Better Than Honour is amazingly only 12 years of age, and was offered not-in-foal by John Sikura’s Hill n Dale Farm at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Selected Fall Mixed Sale in Lexington.

Bought by Michael Moreno, the bloodhorse.com declared Better Than Honour the “Hope Diamond” in a sale of “equine sapphires and emeralds”, while Moreno himself told thoroughbredtimes.com that “she’s the best mare in the world, she’s a Picasso”.

Better Than Honour and her seven-year-old half-sister Silver and Roses (Sadler’s Wells – Blush With Pride (Blushing Groom)), are from the Group 1 Kentucky Oaks winner Blush With Pride, while further down their pedigrees reads the likes of top sires Redoute’s Choice, El Gran Senor, and Try My Best.

Silver and Roses was purchased by the Stud in Europe, and she has produced three foals in her breeding career, the oldest being a two-year-old filly by Champion sprinter Choisir which has been retained by the Stud.

Excitingly, Pencarrow Stud will sell Silver and Roses’ yearling filly by Group 1 racehorse and sire Pins (Snippets) at the 2009 Karaka Premier Sale.

This year Silver and Roses has foaled a bay colt by Champion racehorse Darci Brahma and will return to him this season.