Sledmere Stud graduate Dame Giselle has been recognised in the 29th Annual Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (HTBA) Awards as the Champion 2YO Filly of 2019/20.
Bred at Sledmere Stud by China Horse Club, Dame Giselle was consigned by the stud’s sales team for the 2019 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale where the beautifully-bred daughter of I Am Invincible sold to Go Bloodstock Australia for $500,000. China Horse Club subsequently retained an interest and remained in her racing ownership.
During her memorable 2-year-old racing season, Dame Giselle landed both the $1 million Golden Gift and Group 2 Reisling Stakes during a campaign which established her as one of the leading juveniles of her foal crop.
Speaking on behalf of her breeder China Horse Club, chief operating officer Michael Wallace said on the organisation’s website: “This award is a tremendous honour for the China Horse Club and all the staff involved with the Club.
“It is also recognition for the team at Sledmere Stud, headed by Royston and Catriona Murphy, where she was bred, for Sir Owen Glenn and his operation, as well as for Snowden Racing who have handled her racing career.”
Wallace added: “Dame Giselle was always a filly we held in high regard from the time she was born and she has continued to deliver on our weighty expectations. We wish to thank the HTBA for their support of these wonderful awards, and to CopRice for sponsoring Dame Giselle’s award.”
The HTBA award received by Dame Giselle is the first recognition China Horse Club has received in the capacity of breeder. Notably, the previous two winners in the same category were the Golden Slipper winning fillies Kiamichi (2019) and Estijaab (2018).