Yarradale Stud joined the celebrations when Sonntag snared a Group 1 for Darley shuttler Teofilo in the Queensland Derby.

Sonntag (3g Teofilo – Parfaits by Strategic) came off wins at Sale and Caulfield to claim the classic in a driving finish at Eagle Farm last Saturday.  It was a Group 1 first for Teofilo in Australia and for rookie Victorian trainer Henry Dwyer.

Yarradale Stud owner Ron Sayers bought into the family when he purchased La Melba in 2010.  The Grand Lodge mare had retired a maiden after three starts for Jack and Bob Ingham but, being a half-sister to Group 1 winning sprinter Flavour, did have ample residual value.

Their dam stakes winning dam Ice Cream Sundae foaled five winners and the last of them was Sydney winner Parfaits (Strategic).

La Melba was sold with a PPT to Strategic and a month later Sayers bought her Street Sense filly foal for $40,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale.

Their value increased when La Melba’s first foal Raspberries came out an won three stakes races including a Group 3 at Flemington.  And Parfaits added the cream on top when her first foal won the Queensland Derby.

La Melba’s Yarradale connection started with Melba Avenue (Street Sense).  She won a Northam maiden and will be covered by War Chant this year.

Her Strategic filly Strawberries is a three-quarter sister to Parfaits.  She was placed at Bunbury and Pinjarra in her first prep and will return to training with Trevor Andrews for the new season.

La Melba’s final foal is a Discorsi colt bought by Stephen Miller for $110,000 at the Yarradale yearling sale in 2013.  He is currently spelling and is a nice horse according to reports from Lark Hill.