Former champion golfer swaps fairways for fillies

Former champion golfer Elliott Booth, widely regarded as one of Tasmania’s finest ever, has long been a passionate supporter of the Tasmanian Yearling Sale.

These days, Booth is more likely to be found studying bloodlines than reading greens.

“I played golf for Tasmania and Australia,” Booth says, “but now I’ve retired, I breed and race pacers. I spend most of my time studying pedigrees.”

That pedigree passion is on full display this Saturday, when Booth presents a standout filly by boom sire Downbytheseaside, from the 2022 Bandbox winner Iden Boutique.

Downbytheseaside, who shuttles to Woodlands Stud in New Zealand, has already sired over 230 winners in the Southern Hemisphere, and continues to build momentum as a sire of speed and scope.

This filly is the first foal of Iden Boutique, a Sutter Hanover mare who won six races from just 21 starts, including the prestigious Bandbox.

The family runs deep with black-type performers. Close up is Fortino, winner of both the Burnie and New Norfolk Cups. Further back, the filly traces to Barrington Belle (33 wins, including 11 in the USA), Tasmanian Oaks winner Chip And Gale (61 wins, 45 in North America), dual Inter Dominion champion Beautide, and dual Group winner Ashkalini, dam of Group 1 star Ignatius.

The filly is being prepared by respected horseman Neol Slater, and will be offered as part of the Tasbred catalogue at Quercus Park.

The sale kicks off at 2pm Saturday, preceded by a parade of yearlings at noon. All lots are Tasbred eligible, with an additional $5000 first-win bonus for two-year-olds on top of the standard Tasbred incentives.

by Gary Newton for Harnesslink