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The co-owner and breeder of sprinting star and Everest contender Lost And Running is a born and bred New Zealander, a country known for breeding the best stayers in the world.
“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,” says Petagna.
Lost And Running was the result of serendipity. Petagna's bloodstock agent, Bruce Perry purchased his dam Dreamlife as a yearling back in 2013 to race and then for her to become a future broodmare at his farm.
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.
When son, sired by Per Incanto, was passed-in at two sales Perry decided to intervene. After he was passed in at the second sale, Perry spoke to John O'Shea, convincing him to take a look at the horse.
O'Shea like the look of the colt and immediately agreed to buy him. The impressive colt made quite an impression on Perry and Petagna, who retained shares in the horse, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“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!”
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“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.”
John O’Shea has trained some of the best sprinters in his career but Lost And Running is a genuine pleasure to train.
“He’s a just delight! He’s just been a bit of a backroom horse. He’s been a wonderful horse to train with a great attitude.”
“He is quite a big horse. He weighs 585 kilos. Still sort of growing and developing. thing by the time it's finished in growing I expect him to be around the 590 mark you know, so.”
“But he's a lovely horse to train and I look forward to seeing him at the stables every day,” he said.
Even for a seasoned horseman like Lib Petagna, the journey with Lost and Running has him surprised at every bend but the ever-pragmatic Petagna has taken it all in his stride.
“That's the great thing about thoroughbred racing - success can come from anywhere,” he says.
“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!”
Per Incanto, the Group-winning son of Street Cry, has enjoyed early success in his stallion career and, is now be firmly established as one of New Zealand’s elite sires.
He continues to be a regular source of winners to the highest grade across the racetracks of Australasia and Asia.
“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.”
Petagna is confident about his entire’s ability to deliver on Everest day.
“Lost And Running has both speed and strength,” he enthused.
“He has 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,” he said.