Norich makes his black-type debut in the LR Summer Scorcher (1000m) on New Year’s Day after completing a winning hat-trick at Ascot on December 21.
The 6yo son of former Taunton Vale sire Demerit (Lonhro) has been a work in progress for quite some time. In fact, he was facing the starter for the 50th time in the TBWA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy (1200m) last Saturday week but the result was never in doubt. Norich flew the coop from an outside gate for an all-the-way victory under Shaun McGruddy.
It followed a brilliant front-running display on G1 Winterbottom Stakes Day when he blitzed a smart field of sprinters with visiting jockey Josh Parr aboard. He clocked 1:08.84s over 1200m which wasn’t far outside a track record (1:08s) that’s rarely been at risk since being set by Danny Beau (Zedrich) in 2008. “Our very own little nugget is showing everyone he’s a capable sprinter,” trainer Karen Kersley said. “The joy, love and satisfaction he has bought everyone involved is unmatched.
“And thank you to the Rogers family for trusting us with your boy. Without you guys this wouldn’t have been possible.”
Bred and sold by Taunton Vale Stud, Norich is the only foal from his dam Porongurup Road (Alfred Nobel) whose older half-sister Salisbury Street (Blevic) won the LR Sheila Gwynne Stakes (1400m) in 2005.
Taunton Vale owner Nina Johnston recalls Norich was one of those foals that never stopped running around the paddock from the day he was born in August 2018. He arrived just prior to a tragic turn of events that saw Nina’s husband Kent succumb to brain cancer. Nina and their young children Drew and Anya were bereft losing a loving husband and father. Kent was also a master horseman and a highly-respected figure in the south-west thoroughbred breeding and equestrian industries.
“Kent did leave the kids the most beautiful horse that we named Taunton Vale Calimero,” Nina said. “Drew was supposed to ride him but now he’s more interested in four wheels than four legs!
“Anya is very keen. Early on she wanted to be a jockey but is now doing so well with Deborah Pomeroy who has coached and helped every step of the way. Her support never waivers.”
Anya finished second on Taunton Vale Calimero in the WA Pony Club Show Jumping State Championships in June and they won the Dardanup Pony Club 80cm and 90cm Jumping Championships in September.
Nina is currently prepping three yearlings for the Perth Magic Millions in February starting with consecutive lots on Day 1 of the Swan Valley Sale. The Sessions – Wings of Hope gelding (Lot 159) is a half-brother to Hit the Jackpot (Gingerbread Man) who won a Bunbury maiden this time last year and returned for a first-up victory at Albany on December 12.
“Sessions is a Lonhro sire and, apart from being a reliable source of winners, there’s the connection with Demerit,” Nina explained. “Wings of Hope was originally with Yarradale and the Sessions yearling is the first foal we’ve bred from the mare.
“Our Ducimus filly from Winter Blossom (Lot 160) is next into the ring. I’ve worked with John Andrew and Steve Hoare prepping their yearlings by Ducimus and he can make a good stallion. Winter Blossom is a Demerit mare and that cross can work with Ducimus.”
Winter Blossom is an unraced full-sister to Kiss Bang Love (G3 Gimcrack Stakes) and the dam of All The King’s Men (LR Lex Piper Stakes). It’s the family of Key Business (Success Express) who was a successful stallion over many seasons at Rangeview Stud.
Taunton Vale’s Day 2 Ducimus gelding is from Demerit mare Agent Anya (Lot 331). The dam is a full-sister to Agent Pippa who also won a G3 Gimcrack Stakes in 2018 – twelve months after Kiss Bang Love.