With the warmer weather drawing a host of promising three-year-olds to the tracks for their spring campaigns, Burgundy is one that that’s attracting plenty of interest as he prepares for his race debut.

Bred by Peter and Philip Vela, Burgundy (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice) is from the Group 1 winning Zabeel mare Grand Echezeaux (Zabeel), making the colt a three-quarter-brother to the five-time Group 1 winner and sire Darci Brahma (Danehill).

An outstanding yearling colt, Burgundy was one of the stars of New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2010 Karaka Premier Sale where he was purchased by David Ellis of Te Akau Stud from Pencarrow Stud for $1.3 million.

Now under the care of Te Akau Racing trainer Jason Bridgman, Burgundy will carry the recognisable tangerine and blue colours of Te Akau for owners the Te Akau 2010 Breeding Syndicate which is managed by David Ellis.

A winner of his first trial in late February of this year in the Bay of Plenty for jockey Danielle Johnson, the blue-blood three-year-old took his second trials victory yesterday at Te Teko with Matthew Cameron aboard, winning by an impressive two-and-a-half-length margin.

Jason Bridgman has been impressed with what Burgundy has done so far.

“He is a high quality colt, he’s very athletic with a beautiful action and has the looks to match so we are very happy with him.

“He is coming along nicely and his two trial wins have been impressive so we are looking to kick him off at either Taupo on the 14th or Te Rapa on the 16th September.

“He is still learning so it will be good for him to get a start under his belt before we look at setting him bigger tasks. He is nominated for the 2000 Guineas so with a bit of luck that’s where he will be heading.”

Darci Brahma has also been making headlines as his progeny continue to show promise on the track. In Singapore his son Super Easy could not have been more impressive in his last two starts and he remains unbeaten in his new home for his trainer Michael Freedman.

In Australia, his two-year-old stakes winning son Darci be Good opened his three-year-old account last month in style at Rosehill over 1400 metres for trainer Bede Murray who has outlined a potential VRC Derby campaign for the horse.

Last week at Ruakaka both maiden races were taken out impressively by progeny of Darci Brahma with Lovesalot and Artistic both scoring. And with the classy Micken back on the track with a win and second to his credit, it would seem just a matter of time before he collects further spoils.

Adding further excitement to one of Australasia’s premier families, Burgundy’s dam Grand Echezeaux foaled a filly by the champion sire Encosta de Lago at Pencarrow Stud on Tuesday.