Resilience has been a byword for the Casino Prince breed with a prime example being Cuban Royale who is in the best form of his career as a battle-hardened 8yo!
On Saturday, Cuban Royale scored his third win in four starts this prep for trainers Rob and Luke Price in the Carrington Stakes (LR, 1200m) at Randwick. It was also his first in black-type caps to become the Vinery sire’s 22nd individual Stakes winner.
Stable jockey Brock Ryan let him settle at the tail of the field before launching a late burst to collar Vreneli (Wandjina) and Titanium Power (So You Think). “We’re so proud of him,” Luke Price said. “We’ve had him since he was a yearling and everyone loves him at home.”
Cuban Royale cost $34,000 from Riversdale Stud at the 2016 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. The latest result sent his earnings through $680,000 for a syndicate that includes his breeders Keith and Jan Meadows who kept a share after he changed hands at Riverside Stables.
“Keith and Jan have been fantastic supporters and to prepare their first Stakes winner is so special,” Price added. ‘He’s been very unlucky and a 10 out of 10 ride by Brock made the difference. This horse can hold his own working with Jamaea and we had full confidence in him today. And being a Casino Prince, he gets better and better with age.”
Casino Prince also sired 2021 Carrington Stakes winner Bandersnatch and they are part of a 422 individual winner-count at an elevated strike-rate of 71%.
Cuban Royale’s dam Cuban Girl (Hemingway) was a $15,000 buy for the Meadows’ at the 2012 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale Price. She had won six races up to 1800m in Adelaide and was also Group 2-placed in the 2008 Queen Of The South Stakes.
After Cuban Royale, she foaled the winners Cuban Granchico (Casino Prince) and Cuban Link (Testa Rossa) plus unraced 3yo colt Cuban Waters (Headwater) in consecutive covers at Vinery.
Vinery (as agent) has entered the sole Casino Prince yearling (Lot 342) at next month’s Inglis Classic Sale. His colt’s dam Contango Miss (Congrats) is a half-sister to 2014 Queen Of The South Stakes winner Tango’s Daughter (Redoute’s Choice).
Hoofnote: Cuban Royale was overlooked at $13 for the Carrington Stakes, however, he was pick of the yard for Lizzie Jelfs who was back on deck for Sky Channel following a busy week at the Gold Coast. Her Magic Millions buys for Annabel Neasham included a half-sister to Champion Singapore Mare What’s New (Casino Prince) from the first crop of Vinery sire Exceedance.
