Teofilo made the perfect start to the new year when his son St Jean recorded his maiden Stakes victory with a thrilling win in the G3 City Of Auckland Cup over 2400m at Ellerslie, January 1.
St Jean settled towards the rear of the field in the early stages after jumping from the outside barrier. Jockey Jonathan Parkes began to loop the field from the 800m mark and St Jean joined the leaders turning for home. In a slogging five-horse battle up the final straight, St Jean prevailed by a head.
Bred in Ireland by Hadi Al Tajir, St Jean won one of his seven starts in his country of birth before being sold to Australian interests. He posted metropolitan victories at Caulfield, Moonee Valley and Sandown before joining the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs stable in New Zealand. His Auckland Cup victory was just his third run back from a two-year injury-enforced absence from the racetrack.
Out of G2 winner Oriental Fashion, St Jean is a half-brother to Stakes performers Green Coast, Famous Warrior, Bulbul and Dubai Fashion.
Teofilo enjoyed a stellar 2016, siring no fewer than 15 Stakes winners including G1 heroes Palentino, Special Fighter and Quest For More. He will stand the coming season at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €40,000.
