Brisbane stakes winner Keano (NZ) is covering his third book at Merton based Salamander Park this year.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, Keano was a Listed winner of the 2009 QTC Lightning Stakes as well as winning at Flemington (4) and Moonee Valley.

A $450,000 buy from Waikato Stud at the 2007 Inglis Easter yearling sale, Keano is by champion sire Pins from the family of a champion sire O’Reilly.  “You don’t have far to look at the potential Keano can offer to both speed and staying mares,” Salamander studmaster Phillip Anderson said.  “He’s exceptional value at $3,300.”

Keano (8h Pins – O’Really by Centaine) is bred on the same cross that has produced 18 stakes winners including the Group 1 winners Legs and Econsul.  And his second-dam is the Group 1 racehorse and broodmare Courtza.

Champion Kiwi sire O’Reilly is just one Group 1 winner from the prolific family that produced Keano – its other members including reigning Cox Plate champion Ocean Park plus Our Pompeii, Critic, Prince Kaapstad and Kapchat.

The sire of 68 stakes winners, O’Reilly was represented by 15 stakes winners in 2012-13 including Sacred Falls (G1 Doncaster Hcp) and Shamexpress (G1 Newmarket Hcp).  He is third only to Sir Tristram and Zabeel as the most successful New Zealand based sire of stakes winners.

Keano’s second crop of foals are currently arriving and Anderson has been extremely happy with the way in which his first youngsters have been developing.  “They are bold, strong types just like their sire,” he said.

Keano’s 2013 book is shaping well with mares due to visit him including Intrigues (dam of the G1 sprinter Mental), Theophania (dam of Sandown Guineas winner So Swift) and Back In Town (sister to stakes winner Urban Groove).