John Messara rarely gets it wrong when he goes after a stallion prospect.  But the Arrowfield boss could have been forgiven for regretting his decision to buy 50% of All American in April 2008.

All American was runner-up to Reaan in last year’s G1 Blue Diamond despite losing a plate in running.  Trainer David Hayes then took the colt to Sydney and he won the G3 Skyline Stakes leading into the Golden Slipper.

That’s when Messara stepped in to purchase a half share in the Lindsay Park colt.  Alas, the son of Red Ransom was unplaced behind Sebring but Messara’s faith in the youngster finally paid off in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.

All American will be a valuable addition to the Arrowfield roster, however, it wasn’t a done deal until he grabbed that prestigious Group 1 at Flemington.

All American broke a worrying 18 race losing streak that stretched right back to the Skyline Stakes.  After last year’s Slipper, he returned as a spring three year-old for placings behind Whobegotyou in the G2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley and Northern Meteor in the G1 Coolmore Stud at Flemington.

A disappointing autumn carnival followed before Hayes brought him back for a make-or-break spring carnival.

All American was placed in the Listed Aurie’s Star behind Mic Mac at Flemington and the G2 Crystal Mile behind Rangirangdoo at Moonee Valley.  Those placings sandwiched some bad luck at the Caulfield carnival but his stud career was firmly on the line at Flemington.

He responded like a proper Group 1 horse when he sailed past Cox Plate winner So You Think to score a tremendous victory in the Emirates Stakes.

“He’s raced well all spring without winning,” Hayes beamed.  “They ran brilliant time.  He broke 1.34s.  He was an outstanding two-year-old and has trained on at four to win a Group 1.  I think John Messara will be very happy.”

All American (4h Red Ransom – Milva by Strawberry Road) is relatively free of Northern Dancer blood and has Roberto and Mr Prospector close up in his pedigree.  He was bred by John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud and was originally purchased by Lindsay Park agent Mark Pilkington for $220,000 at the 2007 Gold Coast Magic Millions.

He is by Vinery based stallion Red Ransom who started Melbourne Cup week with a Group 1 winner when Typhoon Tracy scored a magnificent victory in the Myer Classic.

All American’s dam Milva won twice in America and is a daughter of Singleton’s globe trotting champion Strawberry Road.  She is a half sister to USA G1 winner Rock Hard Ten.  Second dam Tersa was a stakes winning half sister to Kentucky Derby winner Gato Del Sol.

Hayes will now head to Perth with All American for the $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday week, November 21.