Sir Brigadoon sparks intrigue

Is Sir Brigadoon (Roll With Joe) an international man of mystery?

What does his passport actually state? Where has it been stamped? Where is he from? Where has he been? And what does the future hold? Well, we’re here to find out more about this intriguing harness racing pacer.

Foaled on November 18, 2017, the Roll With Joe – Freedom Dancer colt, Sir Brigadoon, was bred by Dacar Newcastle Pty Ltd, the business of the late David and Kym Carpenter.

Kym continues to race and breed horses with many now racing under the prefix of ‘Skyfall’ as a tribute to David and his love of James Bond and the 007 brand.

The pedigree of this colt is unbelievably strong. Roll With Joe is the younger full brother to champion sire Bettors Delight and Roll With Joe was no slouch in his own right with eight victories and a PB of 1:48.4 while amassing $1.8 million before retiring to the stallion barn.

At stud, he has left the likes of Muscle Factory, Ignatius, BD Joe, The Croupier, Roll Up, Mickey Oh plus his North American stars Twin B Joe Fresh and Racing Hill among many others.

But his maternal pedigree is truly amazing with Freedom Dancer being a daughter of broodmare gem Perfect Profile, making her a three-quarter sister to the champion sires Art Major and Perfect Art.

This is the family of Michelle’s Revenge, Real Artist, Worldly Beauty, Captaintreacherous, Rock N Roll World, Wake Up Peter, World Order and Artriverderci among others.

Offered at the 2019 Australian Pacing Gold Yearling Sale in Sydney, the colt was listed as Lot 314 but was ultimately withdrawn as part of the Peppertree Farm draft.

Soon after, the colt was exported to New Zealand following his purchase by big-spending owners Clive and Rona McKay, the couple have raced the likes of Island Glow, Holdonmyheart, Franco Nelson and Muscle Factory among others.

Joining the stables of Michael House and named Sir Brigadoon, the youngster showed mixed form at the trails and workouts before a decision was made that he wouldn’t race as a two-year-old.

His debut would come at Ashburton on November 12, 2020, but he was unplaced before again being unplaced at his next start at Addington.

He scored his maiden victory at his third start. Connections ventured to the North Island and scored at Manawatu in a time of 2:09.2 on a wet track.

Throughout his time in New Zealand, Sir Brigadoon raced 38 times and managed four wins and four placings while amassing $35,000 in prize money.

He was trained for the bulk of his career in New Zealand by Michael House while Tony Barron also had a short stint with the gelding.

Sir Brigadoon was purchased by his current owner Steve Clements via the Gavelhouse Auction site and made his way back to Australia with a well-bred filly named Mermaid Beach.

Both Sir Brigadoon and Mermaid Beach were placed into the care of Amanda Turnbull in Bathurst.

The change of scenery didn’t spark any form reversal for Sir Brigadoon. During eight starts with Turnbull, he managed just the one victory when successful at Bathurst in a time of 1:58.

Another stable switch was made with Sir Brigadoon and Mermaid Beach heading to Queensland with both pacers joining the stables of Graham Dwyer.

“To be fair, I don’t think there were any expectations with Sir Brigadoon, the focus was more on the filly at the time given her value with her pedigree,” Dwyer explained.

“They both arrived in good shape but Mermaid Beach hails from a famous family, she’s closely related to the likes of Adore Me and Have Faith In Me among others so the attention was on her rather than the other guy.”

Upon arrival, Sir Brigadoon gained the stable name of ‘Popeye’ and quickly gained support through his kindness and willingness to work.

“He’s a perfect horse, possesses a great attitude and goes about his work in a great way while never giving any trouble. He’s a great eater and drinker and carries no vices,” Dwyer said.

“I stripped him right back with his gear. He goes around in an open bridle and doesn’t require a head-check. He’s very basic.

“If looking for a fault, he’s quite a heavy breathing type but that’s the only fault I could find. Steve said give him a go and tell me what you think.”

Team Dwyer took their newcomer to the Redcliffe trials back on January 18. Sir Brigadoon charged down the outside to pick-up his rivals to score easily in a time of 1:57.9.

His Queensland debut came at Albion Park on January 30. Sir Brigadoon was unwanted in betting, but it mattered little as he sailed down the outside to score comfortably in a time of 1:54.6 in the hands of Graham’s son, Layne.

Backing-up the following week, Sir Brigadoon sat without cover before putting his rivals away again, this time stopping the clock at 1:54.3.

Dwyer then switched his focus to a Up to Nr70 series and Sir Brigadoon made it three straight victories when successful in his heat at Redcliffe in a brilliant time of 1:54.5.

In the final at Albion Park, Dwyer sought a replacement driver with his son, Layne, ineligible to drive at a metropolitan meeting.

Leading reinsman Shane Graham took the opportunity and the gelding charged home to finish an excellent second behind Scotch En Ice (in a role reversal of the Redcliffe heat) in a scorching time of 1:51.4.

“To say he’s overachieved would be a massive understatement. Like I said, there were no expectations with him upon arrival, but he’s just kept improving,” Dwyer said.

“Looking back at his trial victory at Redcliffe, he was impressive that day, so he’s clearly just built from that. The mile racing obviously suits, and the style of racing also agrees with him.

“It makes you think, what could’ve been if we got him earlier and, more importantly, imagine if was still a colt.”

So, has Sir Brigadoon found a permanent base here in the Sunshine State?

Looks likely.

From Racing Queensland