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Lib Petagna, 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. Perry had bought her half-sister, Fast Love, and she was showing promise and would go on to become a stake winner.
When her son, sired by Per Incanto, was passed-in at the Premier sale Perry decided to intervene. After he was passed in, 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.”
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Lib Petagna is a born and bred New Zealander, a country known for breeding the best stayers in the world.
New Zealand-based breeder Lib Petagna was well pleased by the efforts put in by his star sprinter Lost And Running in the richest race on turf in the world.
“Lost And Running Has Both Speed And Strength,” said Petagna after the race.
“I think John O’Shea and Hugh Bowman did a great job and had him spot-on for the race and gave him every chance
“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,” he said.
With Kiwi’s still grappling with Covid restrictions, Petagna was disappointed as he was unable to attend Everest 2021 in person.
“We watched it as a family with a few friends from Wellington,” he said.
“Covid travel restrictions meant we couldn’t get to Sydney
“I was wrapped with the run. It was his tenth start and he was racing against the best sprinters in Australasia so it was a great effort and shows that with a little more experience he is right up with the sprinting elite in Australia. He’ll be even better in the autumn.”
“We definitely had a few champagnes to celebrate his run,” said Petagna recalling the day.
On the business of bloodstock, he looks to his racing manager and bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for advice.
““Bruce Perry plans most of the matings,” he said.
“Bruce had always liked him as a yearling and 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.”
“John is planning to run him in the Classic Legend over 1300m, all going well, and I imagine he’ll be back in the autumn after that,” he said.
After finishing fourth in the A$15 million Everest, the John O'Shea-trained 4YO Lost And Running will be competing in the Classique Legend Stakes. He is also considering giving Lost And Running a crack at the A$1m The Hunter next month at Newcastle. I’m not sure this last sentence is correct you’ll need to check with John O’Shea