Group Three Victory for Ballack

21st June 2008

Montjeu posted his fourth Australian stakes-winner this season when Ballack (4g Montjeu x Trephina. by Last Tycoon) was awarded victory after a successful protest in the Group Three Tattersalls Cup over 2200 metres at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

An in-form stayer from the powerful Danny O’Brien stable, Ballack has won three of his past five starts and was well overdue to break through for a Black Type success.

A $70,000 purchase for Danny O’Brien from the Windsor Park draft at the 2005 NZB Premier Yearling Sale, Ballack has won four races and placed five times from 17 starts earning $334,750 in prizemoney.

Ballack is the first foal of the beautifully related mare Trephina, a half-sister by Last Tycoon to champion South African filly and five-time Group One winner Laisserfaire as well as stakes-winners Foreplay, now standing at Yarraman Park and Personify, who sold at the recent Inglis Broodmare Sale in Sydney for $2million.

The oldest New Zealand bred progeny of Coolmore based Montjeu (who shuttled to Windsor Park in NZ) are now five and the champion son of Sadler’s Wells has hit his straps this season here with 30 winners of over $2.5 million led by AJC Australian Derby hero Nom du Jeu, plus stakes-winners Fulmonti, Gorky Park and now Ballack.