Citidancer has unearthed a potential major player in Malaysia.  His son Jetsetter couldn’t have been more impressive winning first-up at Perak on Saturday after a year on the sidelines.

Jetsetter (4g Citidancer – Whisper to Me by Beau Sovereign) is a younger half-brother to former Malaysian champion Raul.  There’s a long road ahead to reach that level but he started the journey in some style on Saturday.

Citidancer (Ire) is rising 27 and is Western Australia’s oldest active stallion.  Originally based in New Zealand, his first winner arrived when Ballroom Babe scored on debut at Wanganui way back in September 1994.

Subsequently transferred to Yarradale Stud, his stud career comprises 238 winners of 830 races at a 64% strike-rate.  He represents the Northern Dancer sireline through Vincent O’Brien’s 1983 English 2000 Guineas winner Lomond.

“Citidancer covered four mares last year and they’re all in foal,” Yarradale’s Bernie Hamill said this week.  “Like all old boys, he puts up with a bit of arthritis but, overall, is in good health.”

Jetsetter’s dam Whisper to Me was bred by Brad Hampton shortly after her older half-sister My Judy (Inceptor) won the 1987 Sunspeed Champion Stakes at Ascot.  She didn’t make the grade at the races but more than paid her way at stud with 8 winners.

Raul (Hideyoshi) led the way with a G1 victory in the Singapore Gold Cup and he was also named Malaysia’s Champion Stayer in 2009.

Jetsetter was a $54,000 graduate from Yarradale’s draft at the 2009 Perth Magic Millions.  He is prepared by leading Malaysian trainer K L Chong and won first-up after a long lay-off despite hanging in all the way down the straight.

Chong bought another Citidancer at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions when he paid $100,000 for the colt from Shathor (Highest Honor).  He is a younger half-brother to Captain Obvious (Verglas) who had won 13 races in Malaysia and Singapore before embarking on a ground-breaking trip to Dubai in January.

Captain Obvious won the Al Naboodah Construction Group Hcp (1200m) at Meydan and returned home for a five length victory in the RDA Cup at Kranji on June 17.

CITIDANCER
Jetsetting connection in Malaysia