Classically bred freshman Valixir (Ire) sired his initial winner when Whetstone arrived at the head of a three-way finish to the Clarkson Discounts 2YO Hcp (1100m) at Wyong on Friday.
Whetstone (2g Valixir – Burford by Commands) powered home to win in a photo from fellow closers Hot Millie (Magic Albert) and Knowing (Not A Single Doubt).
The Wyong winner is trained at Warwick Farm by Rod Craig and is a homebred for former NSW TAB chairman Ross Cribb.
Trained for the Lagardere family by Andre Fabre, Valixir started his career with juvenile wins at Maison-Laffitte and Deauville. He rounded out the season with a length second to subsequent Arc de Triomphe winner Bago in the Prix des Chenes-G3 at Longchamp.
Returning at three, Valixir won the Listed Prix Matchem at Maison-Laffitte and followed up with a G1 placing in the Prix du Jockey Club. He finished a close third in the Derby but couldn’t quite get 2400m. Dropping back in distance, he rebounded to win the G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maison-Laffitte and Prix Neil at Longchamp.
Valixir peaked as a four year-old when he was named the Champion European miler after G1 triumphs in the Prix d’Ispahan (defeated Elvstroem) and the Queen Anne Stakes (defeated Starcraft).
Valixir (Trempolino) retired to Lomar Park in 2007 and covered 70 mares despite the restrictions of E.I.
Whetstone is the first foal of lightly raced mare Burford and she followed up with colts by Snippetson and Ready’s Image. Second dam Ravish (Chief’s Crown) is a winning half-sister to the dam of Randwick stakes winner Wasted Emotions (Desert Prince).
It’s the family of Champion filly Heat Of The Moment. Whetstone won just 24 hours after African Heat (Johannesburg), a direct descendant of the same mare, broke his maiden at Ballarat.
Valixir will stand at Lomar Park for an $8,800 (inc gst) fee this year.