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As a Kiwi breeder, breeding a world-class sprinter wasn't exactly planned. 2021 Everest Contender – Lost and Running's Dam, Dreamlife was purchased by Petegna's bloodstock agent, Bruce Perry, as a yearling back in 2013 with a future as a broodmare in mind.
Perry was sold on her international pedigree that includes a few Oaks winners along the way, and he was confident about her ability to shine in the breeding barn.
The son of Per Incanto was passed in at two sales when Perry decided to intervene. In a conversation with John O'Shea after he was passed-in at the second sale, Perry asked O'Shea to take a look at the horse.
O'Shea loved the horse and immediately agreed to buy him. Both Perry and Petagnia retained a share in the horse, and the rest, as they say, is history.
In an exclusive interview breeder, Lib Petagnia chats to The Impact about their Everest journey that began when they purchased Dreamlife, how Lost And Running has the correct credentials for The Everest and his racing industry favourites.
Q: What would it mean for you as a breeder and co-owner to watch your horse perform on the biggest stage in the world?
A: We aren't renowned for breeding sprinters in New Zealand. And so, to be able to take on the best Australian sprinters with a kiwi bred horse with a cheap price tag from a modest mare would be a surreal experience. That's the great thing about thoroughbred racing - success can come from anywhere. I think it would be great for Blandford Lodge and Per Incanto. We have a few mares from that family, so, it would upgrade the pedigree for a good chunk of the broodmare band!
Q: In his early days, did you expect Lost And Running to become an Everest contender?
A: Bruce Perry plans most of the matings, and we made a conscious effort to try to sell one or two Per Incanto's in Australia and get them into decent stables.
Lost And Running was a correct and good moving colt as a yearling. However, he looked like he would need time and that clearly turned off a lot of people at the Melbourne sale. He was passed in at A$40,000. Bruce had always liked him as a yearling. He made the decision that I needed to keep a quarter. It's one of many good calls Bruce has made for me over the years. Bruce recommended John O'Shea look at the horse and the deal was done at that price. Luckily John O'Shea and the other owners were kind enough to let us stay in!
I never imagined him joining the sprinting elite, but John O'Shea was always glowing about the potential he had, but that we'd need to be patient. So, he's done a tremendous job with the horse and had him pegged as a potential topliner from early on.
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Q: With Lost And Running on the Everest track, please tell us about how you see his journey over the next few months pan out?
A: John's had this race pencilled in from the start of his autumn campaign this year and has been super with his planning and training. Hopefully, L&R stays healthy and sound through the spring, and The Everest will be his third race this prep after the Premiere Stakes and the Shorts. What happens after that is up to John – he's the expert.
The key thing is to enjoy the journey. It is very hard to get a horse into this race, let alone win. The competition is fierce, and all owners know you lose more often than you win.
Q: What makes Lost And Running a perfect Everest contender?
A: Speed and strength! He's got a high cruising speed to take a forward position, and can relax in the running, but he can still accelerate like a top horse. He's still to take on the best sprinters, but I think he has all the attributes to be competitive.
Q: Please tell us about your journey with Dreamlife and Lost And Running. Also, after a race like The Everest, where do you see him going in the next few years?
A: Bruce bought Dreamlife for A$45k. She showed some ability but was injured early in her 3YO career, so her "unplaced" effort undersold her ability on the track. She is a big girl, around 16.2 and Bruce thought going to Per Incanto for a first foal would be a good match on pedigree and type.
Subsequently to L&R, she had a colt that has just turned 3, that we sold at Karaka for good money, and I understand is now Hong Kong-bound. We also have a yearling filly full sister to L&R that is bound for the sales this year, but we'll have a final decision on that at the end of spring. Unfortunately, she missed to Savabeel last year, and this year she'll go back to Per Incanto.
Q: What do you like about his sire Per Incanto?
A: Per Incanto has done a wonderful job after starting with some fairly modest mares. He's been great at injecting some speed into the staying type of mares in New Zealand, and he's been good at cleaning up mares that might not have been that correct through the legs. I think the best is yet to come from him as his runners hit the track from the better mares he's served in the last year or two. He's been a great investment for us, and I've always supported him from day one, having bought and bred group winners by him. Sam Williams and the Little Avondale team have done a great job getting him established and getting his yearlings into the Australian market to boost his profile.
Q: With Lost And Running on the Everest track, please tell us about how you see his journey over the next few months pan out?
A: John's had this race pencilled in from the start of his autumn campaign this year and has been super with his planning and training. Hopefully, L&R stays healthy and sound through the spring, and The Everest will be his third race this prep after the Premiere Stakes and the Shorts. What happens after that is up to John – he's the expert.
The key thing is to enjoy the journey. It is very hard to get a horse into this race, let alone win. The competition is fierce, and all owners know you lose more often than you win.
Q: What makes Lost And Running a perfect Everest contender?
A: Speed and strength! He's got a high cruising speed to take a forward position, and can relax in the running, but he can still accelerate like a top horse. He's still to take on the best sprinters, but I think he has all the attributes to be competitive.
Q: Which is your favourite racehorse and racecourse of all time? Why?
A: That's easy. Lucia Valentina winning the Gr.1 QE2 stakes at Randwick. It was the same day Sofia Rosa won the ATC Oaks, so to win two Group 1s at Randwick in 90 minutes was an owner's dream. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and Randwick is my favorite racecourse for obvious reasons!
With the current Covid situation and border restrictions, it doesn't look likely I'll be able to get across to be on course for the race to be part of the experience, but I'm still enjoying the journey, win, lose or draw.
Q: Please tell us about your favorite yearling purchase this year.
A: Bruce Perry bought an Al Manzor colt for me out of Genius from the Waikato Stud draft at Karaka. He had a lot of quality, and thus far all the reports are very positive. He probably won't hit the track until the late autumn. Of the few retained fillies, I've always liked the Savabeel – Francaletta filly. She has a lot of quality, but it's early days.
Q: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry?
A: Too many to mention. There are some great young stars in Australia, and the industry is in such a healthy state that it can attract and retain talent, and anyone with some drive and passion for horses can have a rewarding career.
Q: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
A: I think a lot of recent talk around the Australian pattern is very topical. It's clear the pattern needs some adjustment, and it does seem out of place that a race like The Everest is not a Gr.1 when clearly the best sprinters in the land are all pointed at that race.
Q: What TV series are you currently enjoying watching? Or please tell us about a book you have loved reading.
A: At the time of this interview we are in lockdown in New Zealand so, there's plenty of time for streaming services. Mare of Eastown and Zero, Zero, Zero are a couple of recent favourites.