Eishin Da Vinci 1000th Winner for Eishin Farm

Karaka graduate Eishin Da Vinci (NZ) provided a landmark victory for leading Japanese owner-breeders Eishin Farm at the weekend, by becoming their 1000th winner.

The herculean achievement took place in the Kokura Maiden (1200m) where three-year-old Eishin Da Vinci (Danehill Dancer x Really Wild, by Wild Again) staked his first victory at just his third start.

Eishin Farm is owned by Toyomitsu Hirai who has raced gallopers the calibre of triple Group 1 winner Eishin Preston (Green Dancer), Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen winner Eishin Deputy (French Deputy), Group 1 Nakayama Futurity Stakes winner Eishin Champ (Mi Cielo) and dual Group 1 placed Eishin Washington (Ogygian) over his 1000 victories as an owner.

His son Katsuhiko T Hirai purchased Eishin Da Vinci for his father at the 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for $300,000 from Janine Dunlop's Phoenix Park. It was Katsuhiko Hirai's first visit to Karaka where he attended with champion trainer, Mr Mori.

Bred by Rob McAnulty, Eishin Da Vinci is by red-hot sire Danehill Dancer, sire of both the 2009 Irish 1000 and 2009 Irish 2000 Guineas winners in Again and Mastercraftsman. He is from a three-time winning Wild Again mare that was bred by Bill Farish of Lanes End Farm.

Really Wild hails from a strong American family featuring Group 1 winners Shadow Cast, Panty Raid, Desert Vixen as well as sires Valid Appeal and Arrowfield's Snitzel, who has shuttled to Japan in the past.

Toyomitsu and Katsuhiko Hirai have high hopes for Eishin Da Vinci as the season progresses after the three-year-old's win.

Mike Kneebone, New Zealand Bloodstock's Director of Bloodstock and Sales Asia, spoke to Katsuhiko Hirai following the milestone victory.

"Both Katsuhiko and Mr Mori were very impressed with the quality of bloodstock and horsemanship that they saw when they were in New Zealand.

"When I spoke to Katsuhiko this week he said they were very happy with their New Zealand colt. They had a big celebration in his homeland and he said he was very proud of his father's 1000^th victory."

New Zealand Bloodstock's 2010 National Yearling Sales Series will take place at Karaka between 1-7 February next year.

For more information contact reception@nzb.co.nz.