Just over half an hour after Pencarrow graduate Jay Bee Gee (NZ) (Complacent) won the Group Three Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton, his half-sister Harmonious (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) capped the stud’s extraordinary start to the new season with her runaway victory in the $35,000 Group 1 Raceday 14 September Rating 65 (1600m).

Both Harmonious and Jay Bee Gee were bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and are progeny of outstanding broodmare Huluava (NZ) (Pins). Herself a three-time winner over 1400 and 1600 metres, Huluava is the dam of nine winners from nine foals to race including stakes winners Jay Bee Gee and William Wallace (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

Harmonious is still owned by Sir Peter Vela and is trained by Adrian Bull. The six-year-old collected the second win of her 13-start career on Saturday and lifted her earnings to $49,495.

Last season’s champion apprentice jockey Lily Sutherland had Harmonious handily placed in third at Riccarton on Saturday before sprinting through a narrow gap along the rail in the home straight. Harmonious quickly stamped her superiority over the 18-horse field, powering to the lead and opening up a dominant winning margin of five lengths.

Harmonious was the second-to-last foal produced by Huluava, whose final foal Branciforti (NZ) (Belardo) has so far won four races from 13 starts for Te Rapa trainer David Greene.

But even though Huluava was retired from breeding after the 2021 season, her influence has continued to be strongly felt, with her daughter Hirondelle (NZ) (Sepoy) producing the Group One winner Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos).

Huluava is a half-sister to two stakes performers. Hasselhoof (NZ) (Tavistock) won the Group Two Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and placed in the Group One Livamol Classic (2040m), while Vercors (NZ) (Catbid) won the Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). Vercors is herself the dam of Pencarrow’s stakes-placed mare Vichy (NZ) (Cape Blanco).

Photo credit - Race Images