Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy was doing his rounds at the 2012 Inglis Easter yearling sale when a Northern Meteor filly from stakes placed Commands mare Intuit caught his eye.
“She was a truly outstanding filly from the family of Group 1 winner Fashions Afield,” Gabbedy told Aushorse. “And she just a genuinely lovely type.
“I’ve always had a great connection with Peter Orton and Vinery and I know they’re always on the lookout for well-bred fillies that will get some black type of their own.
“It’s worked pretty well in the past and I’ve managed to purchase Group 1 winners like Bel Mer and Samaready on their behalf.”
Gabbedy went to $300,000 to secure the youngster which was the highest price paid for a Northern Meteor filly that year.
Given a name to match her type – Runway Star – the filly has lived right up to expectations with successive LR Matrice Stakes victories followed by the G3 Proud Miss Stakes that prompted a possible tilt at the G1 Tattersalls Tiara (1400m) on June 25.
“A Tatts Tiara would certainly be a terrific bonus and win, lose or draw, Runway Star will definitely be going to stud this year,” Vinery’s Adam White said. “With three stakes wins already she has done enough to earn her place.
“The Vinery partners haven’t locked in a stallion just yet, but you would have to say that More Than Ready starts favourite. Fashions Afield is out of a half-sister to Runway Star’s dam and she herself is the dam of this year’s Group 2 Todman Stakes winner Kiss And Make Up – a son of More Than Ready.”
Although Runway Star is owned by the Vinery partners, White managed to talk one of the Stud’s clients Patrick Hodgens into taking a share. “Patrick has had a bit of luck this season as he’s also the owner and breeder of Group winner Amelie’s Star and we also raced Silversands to win the 2013 Inglis Banner.”
