Estijaab realised a long-term goal for her connections in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Snitzel filly defied a wide barrier to score a front-running victory for Team Hawkes.  Her owner Hussain Lootah of Emirates Park had eyes for just one filly when he attended the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.

“She was a very special filly from the first day we saw her and we’re very delighted she’s won today.  This is the race we wanted all along,” Lootah said.  “She was the only filly we bought.  We’re delighted and head back to Easter in a couple of weeks to try and find the next one.”

Emirates Park bought Estijaab for $1.70 million from the Arrowfield Stud draft at last year’s Easter Sale.  She was bred by Arrowfield Stud in association with Northern Farm owner Katsumi Yoshida and has now won 3 of her 4 starts for $2.29 million in prizemoney.

Arrowfield chairman John Messara knew she was something very special from the outset.  “So did Emirates and the Hawkes.  They have looked after her so well and here we are today, celebrating a win in the Golden Slipper.

“As for Snitzel, it’s never ending, he just keeps producing.  What a horse, what a stallion.”

Estijaab was Snitzel’s 13th individual Group 1 winner and first Golden Slipper.  She is also the second Golden Slipper winner out of a mare by former Arrowfield stallion Charge Forward following She Will Reign in 2017.

Her dam Response was a Group 1 winner of the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and Robert Sangster Stakes and was purchased by Mr Yoshida for $1.50 million from Newgate Farm at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.

Response has a yearling filly by Snitzel that was bought for $350,000 at 2018 Gold Coast Magic Millions by Moody Racing.  She also has a filly foal by Snitzel and is back in foal to Australia’s leading stallion.

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