Coolmore shuttler Oratorio (Ire) sired his first Australasian winner when Banchee annihilated her opposition on debut at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Banchee (2f Oratorio – Miss Jessie Jay by Spectacularphantom) was a well-fancied second favourite in the Coca-Cola 2YO Maiden (1100m) but was shuffled back towards the rear of the field in the early stages.

Jockey Vin Colgan saved ground with along the rails and Banchee burst clear with an explosive change of gear in the straight.  She won eased down by almost two lengths and on the evidence of that display, she looks a filly of abundant promise.

Banchee is a half-sister to this year’s brilliant 3yo filly Katie Lee, winner of both the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas.  She was purchased for NZ$375,000 by Bruce Perry Bloodstock out of the Hallmark Stud draft at the 2009 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.

Trainer John Sargent was quick to nominate the Karaka Million at back at Ellerslie on January 31 as his filly’s immediate target.  “She’s the perfect 2yo.  She is very precocious, but laid back, just a natural,” Sargent said.  “I think she’s a super filly.  I’ll have to get some more of those Oratorios!”.

Oratorio (Danehill) made a big impression in Europe this year with standout juveniles like Beethoven and Fencing Master who were the first two home in the prestigious G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and Big Audio who was a dual Listed winner of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury.

Expectations were always going to be high for Oratorio’s first runners in Australasia.  His stock were very well received at the 2009 yearling sales, averaging well over $80,000 and as a result have ended up in the stables of many of the leading trainers in Australia and New Zealand including the likes of John O’Shea, Lee Freedman, David Hayes, Anthony Cummings, John Hawkes, Danny O’Brien, Gary Portelli and Mark Wallace.

On the back of that response, Oratorio (Ire) is completing the 2009 season having covered a very strong book of mares at Coolmore Australia where he stands for $22,000.

The second southern hemisphere yearlings by Oratorio will be sold at the 2010 majors.  The first of his 8 lots to go under the hammer at the Gold Coast Magic Millions is Goodwood Farm’s filly from the Marscay mare Miss Chakra.  She has had two foals to race for two winners including the Queensland stakes winner Calchris (Commands).