Boyanup’s racing guru – Dennis Roche

Boyanup horseman Dennis Roche offered four youngsters at last year’s APG Perth Yearling Sale and they have come out firing early in the season, with two winners and a runner-up from three starters. 

Vincent filly Reinette won the first two-year-old race of the season, Bettagetonpip won her first race start at Narrogin on February 6 and Sportswriter filly Titus ran a first-up second at Pinjarra on January 22. 

Bettagetonpip qualified for the $125,000 APG Fillies Sales Classic on March 1 with a gutsy second in the heats and will be fancied if she draws a favourable barrier. 

Roche, 77, has been a hobby trainer-driver for more than 50 years but has focused on breeding youngsters in recent years. 

He farmed cattle and avocadoes in Pemberton but moved to Boyanup 19 years ago and bought a 40-acre agistment centre where he rears his yearlings. 

“I was born and raised in Pemberton. As a kid, I loved riding hacks and breaking in horses,” he said. “My brother Les had standardbreds and I started helping him. He had Frosty Parade who went through to fast class.” 

“I got my reinsman’s licence at 16 and started driving and later took out a trainer’s licence.” Roche continues “It was always a hobby but I got more serious about training when I moved to Boyanup. Katmandoo (1.58.9, $84K) was a nice horse that I trained. I bought him at the sale and he won 3YO of the year in the early 2000s.” 

“I still jog up a few and send them onto Chris Voak or Nathan Turvey to train. I have five broodmares and concentrate on the youngsters these days. And you couldn’t get a better spot than Boyanup for raising young horses.” 

Roche will offer three yearlings at this year’s Perth sale on March 3 – two fillies and a colt. 

Lot 416 is a filly by American Ideal from Aqueensomwhere and is a half-sister to Reinette. 

This filly’s mother is a half-sister to Not Now Delilah, dam of superstar filly Wonderful To Fly (1.53.6, $736K), Jumbo Operator (1.57, $313K) and Group 1 winning two-year-old Getaway Plan (1.58, $135K). 

Lot 475 is a filly by Art Major from Lems Cameo, dam of two winners from her first two foals, including Cameos Delight (1.58, $23K). 

Lot 484 is a colt by Art Major from Maddyann Maree. He is from the prolific Bonnie Blue Eyes family that has produced Group 1 winners No Blue Manna (1.56.6, $628K), Cott Beach (1.54.9, $275K) and Longreach Bay (1.55.4, $109K) in recent seasons. 

Roche said the trio were excellent types and he expected them to make good money in the ring.

For full details of all catalogued yearlings in the 2024 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sales please visit our Online Sales Catalogue or Register as a Buyer now. 

From APG Ltd