Breeding & Racing Magazine

1st UK Winner For Captain Rio

NZ Westbury Stud shuttler & Ballyhane Stud-based freshman sire Captain Rio (Pivotal-Beloved Visitor, by Miswaki) recorded his 1st winner in the UK when 2YO colt Ballycroy Boy (Captain Rio-Royal Baldini, by Green Dancer) came from outside barrier 11 to scored over 5 furlongs at Southwell for trainer Alan Bailey. Ballycroy Boy was a 4,000 guineas (A$10,400) yearling purchase. Captain Rio's yearlings sold up to 300,000 guineas (A$780,000) in the UK last year; & his 1st Southern Hemisphere yearlings sold up to NZ$220,000 at January's NZ Bloodstock Karaka sale, while Lee Freedman paid $120,000 for a colt at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. Captain Rio was Britain's top-rated 2YO colt of 2001 (his initial win was by 6-lengths, followed by victory in the Redcar 2YO Trophy & then an 8-lengths triumph in the French Gr2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte); as a 3YO he was champion Irish sprinter; & as both a 2YO & 3YO he was awarded a Timeform rating of 122 (a 2YO rating higher than Rock Of Gibraltar, Dubai Destination, Hawk Wing & High Chaparral).