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See dedicated page at http://www.chathamtrust.com/orchestral.html including race video.

NEWS: 16 August 2010
Beethoven keeps Oratorio bandwagon rolling

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Beethoven (3c Oratorio-Queen Titi, by Sadler’s Wells) continued a great run for Oratorio when winning the G3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown easily on Thursday night.

The three-year-old, who landed last season’s G1 Dewhurst Stakes was not pushed to land the mile contest under the trainer’s son Joseph.

“Beethoven was the class horse in the race and won like that. He quickened up well and the ground cannot be fast enough for him,” the winning rider told the Racing Post.

NEWS: 02 August 2010
Black-type 1-2 Oratorio

Hot on the heels of King Torus (2c Oratorio-Dipterous, by Mujadil)’s brilliant G2 victory at Glorious Goodwood last week, his sire Oratorio had a Listed 1-2 in Italy on Saturday.

The Bruno Grizzetti-trained Mantissa (2c Oratorio-Mary Pekan, by Sri Pekan) beat his stablemate Free Winner (2c Oratorio-Freedom, by Second Empire) in the Listed Criterium Varesino over a mile at Varese.

The winner, who was bred by Azienda Agricola Patrizia, was bought for 30,000 euros at the SGA Selected Yearlings Sale in September.

NEWS: 28 July 2010
Rising Star for Oratorio (IRE)
Two year-old Oratorio colt King Torus put in one of the best performances by a two-year-old in Europe this year when winning the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday by six lengths.

Sir Robert Ogden’s colt (pictured below courtesy UK RAcing Post), who is trained by Richard Hannon, is now second-favourite for next year’s English 2000 Guineas after this latest win, which came on the back of a victory in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket on his previous outing.

“You wouldn’t know this horse is in the yard, because he wouldn’t win a bit of work. He’s heavy, he’s slobby and you wouldn’t back him going to the start. Then you grab hold of him in a race and he goes into overdrive,” said winning jockey Richard Hughes.

“He is a Classic contender after that - I haven’t done the last two furlongs at Goodwood as fast as that in a long time, not in a seven-furlong race.

“It was a serious performance. Everybody wanted to make the running - I was going a good clip and Frankie Dettori wanted to make it - so we were flying.

“I picked it up with a good two and a half furlongs to run after a strong gallop and he absolutely sprinted down that rail.”

Richard Hannon junior, assistant to his father, added: “He was very impressive there considering he was carrying a 3lb penalty. We’ll probably go for the Dewhurst Stakes (G1) or Racing Post Trophy (G1) from here

“Hughesie said he’s never finished so fast in a seven-furlong race at this track, yet the horse is very laid back. He’s by Oratorio, and they are all like that. I’m pleased for Sir Robert and grateful to Ross and Peter Doyle [bloodstock agents] who picked him out at the sales.”

NEWS: 17 July 2010
New Kiwi Stakes-Winner for Oratorio
Young Danehill stallion Oratorio (IRE) posted his second stakes-winner in the Southern Hemisphere when two year-old colt Upsala captured the Listed Northland Breeders Stakes at Ruakaka in New Zealand on Saturday.

A winner at Te Rapa back in March and stakes-placed at Riccarton two runs back, the Kenny Rae trained Upsala was overdue to break through for a good win and did so in style, coasting home to take the 1200 metre feature by a length and a half.

Upsala is the sixth stakes-winner worldwide for Oratorio (IRE) and is his second in Australasia joining New Zealand Group One winner Banchee.

A triple Group One winner by Danehill, Oratorio (IRE) (pictured) will stand at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $22,000.

UPDATE: 17 July 2010
Resisted the temptation to give Orchestral another start and given her a well-earned break. She will enjoy the next 6-8 weeks in a paddock at Cavallo Park Farm Strathalbyn ahead of a resumption in the Spring.

UPDATE: 14 July 2010
A super run by our filly today to finish second (beaten a half-length) after sitting outside the leader in transit and going to the front on straightening. She battled on gamely right to the line and showed all of her customary grit and determination.

This was a great effort notwithstanding everything that was against her today – including:-
• Wet track,
• Jump up in distance – 1500m at second start
• Inexperience – compared to others
• 4 solid gallops in 12 days – incl track gallops on Sat and Mon to season her for the trip.
• Not suited at weights (she would have met winner 1.0kg better off in a maiden plate).
• Feeling that she may be training-off.

Libby reported that she did everything professionally although when the winner loomed up she tried to surge but hasn’t yet worked out how to accelerate off the bridle and ‘had legs going everywhere’ over the last furlong. Perhaps the difference in the final analysis was the ‘cushy’ run enjoyed by the winner?

UPDATE: 03 July 2010
Orchestral showed encouraging signs on her race debut today. After jumping well she was allowed to get balanced, rounding the turn she was blocked for a run and then ran on in the straight when finding galloping romm to be strong on the line.
The run was made more meritorious on discovering that she had copped a clod in the eye and one in the mouth in running - apparent when she left a pile of dirt in the bucket when having her first drink after the race.
Libby reported she was quite field shy during the run but was delighted with the debut effort - as were we!!

UPDATE: 14 June 2010
Orchestral performed very well at her second trial today over 1,000m at Morphettville. Especially pleasing as she lost a plate in running and was uncomfortable on the slippery ground. Video online. She is on target for a race debut over 1250m at Morphettville on 03 July 2010.

UPDATE: 07 June 2010
Orchestral performed well at her first trial today over 1,000m at Morphettville. Video online. She will be given another trial for further experience before being set for a race debut in July.

UPDATE: 27 May 2010
Orchestral performed pleasingly at this morning's jump-out over 500m. Video online. She will now head towards the Morphettville trials on 07 June 2010 ahead of a race debut in mid-late June.

UPDATE: 12 May 2010
Orchestral has now had a month back in work at the stables and completed 1000m evens on the grass Saturday morning ‘on her ear’. Her base-level of fitness is very good. Simon reports that she continues to do everything asked of her in a very professional manner.

She will continue to work on the grass over 1000m twice a week (and pacework on the sand in between) ahead of a trial in around 3-4 weeks. At this stage, the Trials scheduled for 07June10 at Morphettville are most likely.

UPDATE: Thursday, 16 April 2010
Oratorio's AUS Progeny Showing Promise

Some exciting juveniles from just a handful of runners:-

MISS ORIELLE by Oratorio (IRE) - Belle Salieri
09 March 2010 Heat 7 - 2yr old Trial Eagle Farm QLD Position: 1

CONTURBAR by Oratorio (IRE) - Rainbow Lover (MMPS $45,000)
11 February 2010 2YO Maiden Plate Wyong NSW Position: 1

MAGNIFICENT FORCE by Oratorio (IRE) - Mrs Bobo (MMPS $80,000)
15 March 2010 Heat 3 - 2YO Trial Cranbourne VIC Position: 1

SACRED MUSIC by Oratorio (IRE) - Eucalyptus (MELP PI)
10 Dec 2009 Heat 1 - 2 yr old Trial Moe VIC Position: 2

SEMPER AUGUSTUS by Oratorio (IRE) - Mondavi (MMPS $100,000)
15 April 2010 SV 2YO Maiden Plate Sale VIC Position: 2

UPDATE: Thursday, 08 April 2010
Orchestral has returned to the stables in fine order after a 7 week spell. Simon is very happy with the way she has developed during the interlude commentig that she has come back stronger and more athletic.

NEWS: 5th April 2010
Seven-length winning Oratorio filly could be stakes performer

There was no doubting the star performer at Cork on Sunday, Oratorio’s daughter Lolly For Dolly (3f Oratorio-Heart Stopping, by Chester House) simply oozed class as she took a maiden by no less than seven lengths on her debut.

UPDATE: Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Orchestral continues to thrive in the paddock and has grown significantly over the past month. As we are so impressed with her development it has been resolved that she should have another couple of weeks in the paddock whilst she’s growing so rapidly before coming back into work.

UPDATE: Saturday, 13 March 2010
Kiwi Group One Winner for Oratorio (IRE)

Exciting young sire Oratorio (IRE), the triple Group One winning son of Danehill, passed a milestone on Saturday when producing his first Group One winner in the Southern Hemisphere, a filly that may possibly come to Sydney for the Golden Slipper.

High class filly Banchee made it two feature wins on the trot when she proved too good for the colts in the Group One AuRC Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie over 1200 metres prompting connections to consider a start in the Golden Slipper.

“She’s a horse you could take to Australia because you can’t take a normal New Zealand two-year-old running on the pace, but you can get back and get at them with a big finish and she’s the type that could.

Ridden closer in the Diamond Stakes than in previous starts after drawing barrier one, Banchee settled in fourth place for Leith Innes and sprinted quickly in the straight before holding off all challengers to win by a head from the smart DUBAWI (IRE) colt Cellarmaster.

UPDATE: 27 Feb 2010
Oratorio (IRE) filly Banchee atones for defeat in Karaka Million (when flew home late) to win Breeders Stakes in NZ displaying her trademark finishing burst.

UPDATE: 19 Feb 2010
Orchestral is enjoying the change of scenery in a lovely paddock at Kiah Glenn, Macclesfield ahead of a return to the stables scheduled for the end of March/early April.

UPDATE: 11 February 2010
http://www.chathamtrust.com/orchestral_11feb10.html
Orchestral had her second jump-out over 500m this morning and showed sharp improvement. Simon Price made the trip to ride her and she was cleanly away and travelled well on the bridle before finishing strongly. Simon described her as professional with the feeling that she will probably get over some ground. Plenty of scope for further improvement as she's not yet entirely comfortable between other horses, gazing and still learning to let-down when off the bridle. We will resist the temptation to press-on towards a race start and give her 6 weeks in the paddock for a freshen-up before bringing her back for a second prep - when we'd expect her to have developed significantly both physically and mentally.

UPDATE: 28 January 2010
Recovered from minor set-back and had her first jump-out this morning. Pre-empted the gates and missed the kick. She will obviously derive enormous benefit from the outing.

UPDATE: 12 January 2010
Trading halt... Partnership has been formed to race our filly. Due to jump-out this week. Vendor may release further equity after we discover just how good she is...

UPDATE: 02 January 2010
Very impressive work this morning with partner. Evens from the 600 and really good over the last furlong. Critically, she wanted to go faster and showed determination - the Will to Win! Tremendously encouraging.

UPDATE: 24 December 2009
Has been in training with Simon Casey at Murray Bridge since 25Nov09 and is continuing to impress. Great attitude and willingness to put-in.

She will be given some evens on the grass for the first time boxing day(Saturday).

NEWS: 14 December 2009
First SH Winner for Oratorio (IRE)

Highly regarded debutante Banchee provided her young sire Oratorio (Ire) with his first Australasian winner when annihilating her opposition over 1100m at Ellerslie in New Zealand on Sunday afternoon.

On the evidence of this win, she looks a filly of abundant promise as she should be given she is a half-sister to this years brilliant three year-old Katie Lee, winner of both the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas
more at... http://www.breednet.com.au/news2006.asp?id=55632

NEWS: 17th October 2009
Brilliant G1 Dewhurst 1-2 for Oratorio

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Beethoven (2c Oratorio-Queen Titi, by Sadler’s Wells) led home an amazing 1-2 for Oratorio’s first crop in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday when beating stablemate Fencing Master (2c Oratorio-Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba)

Ryan Moore got the winner up to score by a neck in the famous seven-furlong contest and there was double celebration for O’Brien, who also bred the winner.

In fourth place was Footstepsinthesand’s first-crop son Steinbeck (2c Footstepsinthesand-Castara Beach, by Danehill)

“Beethoven is very tough and has been progressing with every run even if his form doesn’t always read like that,” said O’Brien. “We’ve always thought a lot of him and Sue (Magnier) didn’t call him that name for no reason

“Joseph (O’Brien) rode him the other day and said there was plenty in there and to put a visor on him to maybe sharpen him up a little bit, so that's what we did. The first and second have been getting better and better and it’s great to have a 1-2 for Oratorio.

“It was a smart horse in second. He’d been working brilliantly and we thought he could run a big race.

“Beethoven is a possible for either the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile or Juvenile Turf and the advantage he has is his experience.”

The first Australian bred youngsters by triple Group One winner Oratorio (IRE), by Danehill (USA) hit the tracks this season.

THAT'S RIGHT!! A lovely correct filly with excellent temperament, broken-in and pre-trained for JUST 2x 2008 Service fee & change. Any inspection welcome.

This filly is all class. She has completed 10 weeks of pre-training without missing a beat. Put in the paddock mid-August to glean the benefit of a couple of months on spring feed etc.

X-rays taken at end of pre-training showed legs in perfect order – vet recommended 2 months for growth plates to close entirely before commencing fast galloping.

Oratorio (IRE) is perhaps the most exciting first season sire in the country. He is off to a cracking start in Europe with 7 individual winners. His Australian progeny will debut on the track later this year.
His yearlings sold to $375K and averaged $86,000 at this year's majors.

The dam Timbrel is a two-time winner over 1,000m by Octagonal and a half sister MINIMAL-FAIR DINKUM (Mac.) (g Snippets) stakes-winner of 5 races (1000 to 1400m), $337,220.

More info at http://www.chathamtrust.com/orchestral.html