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Gerry Harvey, the source through the retail store chain conglomerate he founded, Harvey Norman, of thousands of gifts to be handed out by ‘Father Christmas' on Christmas Day, himself received an early present on Saturday. The package was the pride, and satisfaction, of being the breeder and sole owner of the first two home in one of Australia's most historic races, the Villiers Stakes run over 1600m at Randwick. It is an event that was held for the first time way back in 1892, a year it was won by a horse called Two Up. Since then the Villiers has been won by such memorable contestants as Bernborough (58.0 kgs), Rebus (61.5 kgs), Air Motor (60.5 kgs), Filipino (59.0 kgs)), Closing Time (65.5 kgs), Wish Wynne (60.0 kgs) and Raconteur (58.0 kgs). The Villiers, however, until Saturday, does not to appear to have had a winner before produced in Joe's paddock. Now since the beginning of the 2000s owned by Gerry Harvey, this is the fertile Widden Brook nurtured land which was originally portion of the Thompson family's historic Widden stud which is now known as Baramul. Through the 1950s and 60s Baramul was the ‘kingdom' of Australian breeding as the home for the illustrious sire Star Kingdom and the breeding grounds for his breed shaping offspring Todman, Noholme and Biscay. Baramul does not currently stand sires, but Harvey has one of Australia's biggest broodmare bands, races one of the biggest strings of horses and is a part owner of the Magic Millions sales company and of the Vinery stud near Scone. As an owner of Magic Millions, he makes their Gold Coast sale in January the major outlet for his yearlings and is the biggest vendor for 2010 with nearly 90 lots, including progeny of General Nediym, Mossman, Redoute's Choice, Encosta de Lago, Hussonet,Testa Rossa, Flying Spur, Anabaa, More Than Ready, Fastnet Rock and Exceed and Excel. His Villiers victory on Saturday resulted from an earlier patronage of the Coolmore, Hunter Valley located Encosta de Lago and was provided by the Graeme Begg (Randwick) trained 4-year-old mare Palacio de Cristal. Now winner of four of her 16 outings, she is from the Palace Music Queensland Oaks winner Crystal Palace, a sister to Naturalism, winner of the AJC Derby and Rosehill Guineas and second in the Japan Cup, Victoria Derby, Caulfield Guineas and VRC Australian Guineas. Palacio de Cristal came from the tail to win the Villiers by a neck from the Harvey bred and owned 7-year-old gelding Parfumier. Also trained at Randwick (the Websters), he is half-brother by the former Widden stud Danzig shuttler Belong to Me to the Harvey bred and Gold Coast sold Success Express Golden Slipper winner Polar Success.
© Bloodstock Media Service Published 22/12/09
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