Epaulette’s victory in the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude has further highlighted the fantastic pedigree of new Highview Stud stallion Bullbars.

Epaulette (Commands) is the third star performer out of Singspiel mare Accessories following Bullbars (Elusive Quality) and Helmet (Exceed And Excel).

Darley trainer Peter Snowdon believes there’s more improvement to come from Epaulette.  “When there’s something in front of him, he will chase but once he gets in front, he idles.  He hasn’t put them to the sword yet.  Hopefully that comes later on.”

Epaulette is still the only horse who has seriously threatened the unbeaten Pierro when he ran the son of Lonhro to a short half-head in the G2 Todman Stakes last season.  They look certain to meet again in the G1 Caulfield
Guineas on October 13.

His sire Elusive Quality is currently enjoying a stellar run with Nocturnelle becoming his 80th stakes winner in the LR Tibbie Stakes at Newcastle.  His filly Certify is one of the most exciting two year-olds in Europe this year after a G1 victory in the Shadwell Fillies Mile at Newmarket last week.

In Singapore, Elusive Quality’s Australian-bred four-year-old Mr Big scored a last-start victory in the G3 Garden City Trophy.  He won the 2011 G2 Aushorse Golden Horseshoe and was runner-up in this year’s G1 Krisflyer International Sprint.

The sireline received further good news this week with plans for his Champion Australian 2YO Sepoy to shuttle to Darley’s base in the UK in 2013.  He is currently serving a full book at Darley NSW for a $66,000 fee.

Bullbars is standing his first season at Highview Stud in Hamilton at a fee of NZ$7,500.  Limited lifetime breeding rights are still available at NZ$11,000.  “We are delighted to have obtained a horse with his credentials,” Highview director Brent Gillovic said.  “He is an outstanding type and is a perfect individual to suit New Zealand broodmares.”

A Caulfield juvenile winner, Bullbars scored a barnstorming last-to-first victory in the G3 VRC Colin Hayes Stakes as an autumn three year-old.  That race’s honour-roll includes Zabeel, Starcraft, Mossman and Dash For Cash.

On the strength of that win, Bullbars started favourite for the G1 VRC Australian Guineas only to be defeated by the crack filly Shamrocker who went on to claim the Group 1 AJC Derby.

Bullbars is the latest investment in the Australasian bloodstock industry by the Hong Kong Breeders’ Club.  It also has interests in other stallions such as Starcraft, Snitzel, Danroad, Align, Towkay and Lucky Owners.

BULLBARS