Coolmore Stud shuttler Oratorio (Ire) sired his third southern-hemisphere winner when Upsala scored a promising victory in the Cellarmaster 2YO Maiden (1200m) at Te Rapa on Wednesday.

Upsala (2c Oratorio – Cinquilla by Mark Of Esteem) had been placed at Trentham and Arawa Park prior to breaking through.  “He probably got to the front a little too soon, but he’s strong and tough,” trainer Kenny Rae said.  “He’s a very good horse, right up there with the best I’ve had.”

Oratorio (Ire) sired his most important Australasian winner to date when Banchee was successful in the G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes last Saturday.  The John Sargent trained filly will race next in the GI Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie on March 13.

Upsala could also have a G1 in his sights.  Rae is considering a start in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Rae prepared the G1 winners Egyptian Ra and Egyptian Raine and he rates Upsala as good as them at the same stage.   “Further down the line, I could take to Queensland for some of their better two-year-old races at the winter carnival.”

Oratorio made a big impression in Europe last year with standout juveniles like Beethoven and Fencing Master who were the first two home in the prestigious G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

Expectations were always going to be high for Oratorio’s first runners in this part of the world and he is beginning to deliver the goods.  His initial crop were well received at the 2009 yearling sales, averaging well over $80,000.

That popularity has continued this year with high-priced yearlings at Karaka ($240K) and the Inglis Classic ($200K).

Oratorio is by Danehill and was a 2YO G1 winner of the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp before training on as a 3YO to annex the Irish Champion Stakes and Sandown Eclipse Stakes.

He got Upsala from British bred mare Cinquilla who was raced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa to win over 2600m in France.  Second dam Dal Segno (Sadler’s Wells) is a sister-in-blood to Darazari who was a G2 winner in France before transferring to Lindsay Park to add an Australian G1 in the STC Ranvet Stakes.

Upsala’s effort in winning a juvenile race over 1200m is particularly commendable given his stamina-laden pedigree.  With that in mind, he should continue to improve with time and over more ground.