Rangeview Stud owners Rob and Jody Gray are on top of the world after their stallion Henny Hughes sired Beholder to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (1700m) at Santa Anita.

Beholder (2f Henny Hughes – Leslie’s Lady by Tricky Creek) held off a late challenge from undefeated filly Executiveprivilege to win the $2 million championship for fillies by a length.  The result turned the tables on their previous meeting when they split the line at the finish of the G1 Del Mar Debutante in September.

“We’re elated!” Jody Gray said shortly after the BC Juvenile Fillies which was run at 6am on Saturday morning, Perth time.  “The result has vindicated our decision to buy Henny Hughes earlier this year and bring him to Western Australia.”

Henny Hughes (Hennessy) will rise right up the 2012 North American 2YO sires’ premiership after the seven-figure haul at Santa Anita.  He is already among the leaders in the 2YO individual winners’ title – City Zip is currently on top with 20 winners followed by Songandaprayer (19) Discreet Cat (19), Henny Hughes (18) and More Than Ready (17).

“We watched the race before morning feed up and Rob went straight out and gave Henny Hughes his breakfast and a big kiss,” Jody said.  “We really admired Henny Hughes when he came to Australia.  He is such a handsome and imposing horse.

“We always thought him to be a fantastic stallion prospect and never imagined we would ever own him.  It’s just a dream come true.”

Beholder clocked 1.43.61s for the 1700m journey of the BC Juvenile Fillies after sprinting the first 800m in 46.47s.  Executiveprivilege made a move at the top of the straight but drifted to the outside in the final furlong and could not catch the leader.

Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella prepares Beholder for Spendthrift Farm after she changing hands for $180,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Henny Hughes is primed to sire another juvenile feature winner in North America when his colt Star Contender starts in the Coronation Futurity (1800m) at Woodbine on November 10.  He is a last-start winner of the Cup And Saucer Stakes which is the richest race on the calendar for Canadian bred juveniles.

And in Australia, his first-crop winner Medusa’s Miss is a black-type filly in waiting after doubling up in impressive style at Warwick Farm in October.

Henny Hughes is standing for a $7,700 service fee at Rangview Stud.  Broodmare owners can contact Rob Gray on 0409 243 461 or Jody Gray on 0418 933 707.

– Karl Patterson

BEHOLDER
Henny Hughes filly wins BC Juvenile Fillies under Garrett Gomez