The inaugural running of the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick added another chapter in the proud history of Sledmere Stud and its valued association with pre-eminent New Zealand thoroughbred nursery Waikato Stud when Icebath (NZ) ran out a brilliant winner.
One of the most consistent racemares in training over the past two racing seasons, the 5-year-old daughter of Sacred Falls had come very close to winning a major feature in Sydney on more than one previous occasion, but made no mistake in the new ‘pop-up event’ on the racing calendar with a commanding win by close on a length-and-a-half.
In addition to providing a long overdue feature race success for her owners Mr D J McGrath, Mr JE McGrath, Mr DG Basheer, Mr SD Basheer & Mr TG Roufos, the victory was also a profound reflection of the outstanding horsemanship shown by trainer Brad Widdup throughout the brilliant mare’s career which has been highlighted by a series of performances at the very highest level of domestic racing.
Icebath is also very much another significant success story for her acclaimed breeders Waikato Stud, as well as being a feather in our cap at Sledmere Stud. She was consigned by our sales team at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on behalf of the Chitticks where she fetched $100,000. Saturday’s victory took her earnings to a stunning $3,381,740 no less!
Speaking after the win, Brad Widdup perfectly summed up the situation by stating: “She does deserve it. It’s great to see. It has been a long wait, not only [for] me but for the owners and staff.’’
The pedigree of Icebath (NZ) represents the Chittick family’s Waikato Stud operation to the core. Sired by the outfit’s ill-fated stallion Sacred Falls, her dam Fabulist is a daughter of the stud’s multiple champion sire Savabeel. Even her 2nd-dam Fontaine is by the former outstanding New Zealand-based progenitor Centaine, who started his career with the Chittick family when they were based at Thornton Park Stud in Longburn before forging his remarkable stud career after they made the move to Waikato Stud.