Vinery Stud, in partnership with the China Horse Club, have acquired a significant interest in the exciting Group 1 winning two-year-old colt Press Statement.
The Chris Waller trained colt remained undefeated throughout his two-year-old season, confirming his class when winning the J. J. Atkins at his last start with such ease and dominance.
“He is a very talented colt” said Waller. “He won the Group 1 J. J. Atkins very comfortably; the same race Zoustar and Brazen Beau, who I also trained, both ran second in. I believe Press Statement is a better horse now than they were at the same stage and I think he fits the mould of being a superstar colt”.
Press Statement was bred by successful breeder and well known racing identity Tony Muollo, who retained the horse to race with his wife Gianna and friends, Con and Fotoula Hadjiparaskeua. They have enjoyed great success on the track to date with the likes of It’s A Dundeel and Pressday.
Press Statement is out of a proven two-year-old family and is a half brother to Pressday who was also a Group 1 winning two-year-old of the same race in 2010 when it was named the T. J. Smith Stakes. Press Statement’s sire Hinchinbrook is this year’s leading first season sire and is himself a three quarter brother to Snitzel.
Press Statement began his racing career in April 2015 with a strong debut win at Canterbury over the sharp 1100m before heading to Rosehill four weeks later with another dominant win over 1350m. This impressive feat prompted Waller to send the talented colt to Queensland for their premier two-year-old race, the Group 1 J. J. Atkins Stakes. Travelling comfortably for most of the 1600m journey, Press Statement unleashed his quick turn of foot over the last furlong to fulfil the great promise that he had shown in his short career to date and became a Group 1 winner at just his third start.
“We are very excited to secure a horse of Press Statement’s quality in partnership with such a successful organisation as Vinery and the colt’s current owners.” said Michael Wallace, representing the China Horse Club, “This Group 1 winning colt gives our China Horse Club members a great opportunity, both on the track and eventually at stud. Colts of this quality are highly sought after by our members, they are an essential part of the bloodstock portfolio we are striving to develop”.
“Press Statement is undefeated as a two-year-old, winning all three of his starts including a Group 1; a great start for any young colt,” said Vinery Stud’s Peter Orton. “It is however, the potential improvement that we can see in this colt that is most exciting”.
Press Statement will be targeted for a number of Group races throughout the Spring carnival.
