Westbury Stud sire Cecconi launched his career with a winner on Saturday. His New Plymouth based youngster Lumiere Blue broke through on the Waikato Guineas undercard at Te Rapa.

Lumiere Blue (2g Cecconi – Blue Paris by Volksraad) is trained by John Wheeler and was racing for the third time in the Busuttin – Young Stables 2YO Hcp (1200m).

Cecconi (Encosta de Lago) was trained by David Hayes and was a Listed winner of the 2007 Blue Diamond Preview. He followed up with a fourth in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and then runner-up in the G2 STC Pago Pago Stakes.

Cecconi sired just 31 foals from his first crop conceived in 2009. He covered a much bigger book in 2010 but, due to falling fertility, the number of foals stayed at 31.

Lumiere Blue’s dam Blue Paris was trained by Dave O’Sullivan to win a Taupo two year-old maiden in January 1998. She then crossed the Tasman to win another six races for Graeme Rogerson including three at Flemington.

Saturday’s Te Rapa win was a timely one for Cecconi. His only Karaka yearlings at this week’s NZ Bloodstock Sale were catalogued for Sunday’s Festival Sale.

Four youngster from his second crop topped the Festival average at $39,625. The Cecconi – Storm Brose colt from Westbury topped Sunday’s session at $70,000.