Vinery enjoyed a red-letter day on Saturday, with the farm celebrating the success of Group One-winning graduate Femminile and exciting young stallion Ole Kirk siring another 2YO winner.

Three-year-old filly Femminile (Dundeel) joined an illustrious list of Stakes winners to have been raised/sold by Vinery when she produced a brilliant performance to capture the Group One South Australian Derby (2500m).

Trained by Phillip Stokes and ridden by Lachlan Neindorf, the filly was coming off the back of a respectable seventh placing in the Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m) a week prior.

Under a patient ride from Neindorf, Femminile settled towards the rear of the 16-horse field before tracking up on the rails and cutting the corner as they turned for home. On straightening, she let down with a brilliant run to overhaul the leader Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah (USA)) and fend off a late challenge from Statuario (D’Argento) to win by three quarters of a length.

Although it had been a lifelong dream to win the South Australian Derby, Stokes was not on track Saturday but his son Tommy was quick to praise the filly’s performance.

“We’re just so proud. This horse has been prepped up an absolute treat leading into today. Full credit to the team at Pakenham and Morphettville, it’s a big operation now. The team puts in a lot of work, mum and dad, she spends a lot of time on the farm there,” Tommy Stokes said in the post-race interview.

“She’s just been prepped up to a tee, and the back-up really suited, stepping up in trip. We were doing a bit of a rain dance before today, but she didn’t need it. Lachie gave her an absolute peach. It was quite an effortless watch in the end. I’m just very proud, especially another winner for OTI being a Group One, it’s really special.

“We just can’t wait to celebrate. It’s a shame Dad’s not here, but I’m sure he’s super proud.”

Femminile was sold by Vinery at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and was a $150,000 purchase for her trainer and Rick Connolly Bloodstock. She is out of the Stakes-placed Pierro mare Femme Fireball who is a full sister to the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed, Rock.

Vinery has produced over 80 Stakes-winning graduates in the last 25 years including the likes of Champion Sire Exceed and Excel, elite colts such as Farnan, Artorius, Russian Revolution and Growing Emmpire, as well as top fillies and mares like Aristia, Startantes, Marabi and Too Darn Lizzie.