FROM RAGS TO RICHES - LOOK TO THE STARS SOLD AND TO BE MATED TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST - FRANKEL
LOOK TO THE STARS - a daughter of one of Australia's most promising and successful Sire's 'I AM INVINCIBLE', was purchased for a mere $26,000+GST as Lot 82 off Yarraman Park at the Scone Inglis sale in 2014. Not an overly big filly at the sales, she had the qualities we look for in an early running 2YO, sharp, balanced, good mover and had an explosive look. The price certainly didn't reflect her pedigree as her Dam, 'Star Prize', was a Group 2 & 3 winner in Argentina. Star Prize is also the full sister to Champion racehorse and multiple Group 1 winner 'Star Runner'.
Look To the Stars begun her race career under the tutelage of Warwick Farm mentor, Clarry Conners and enjoyed outstanding early 2YO success winning the GROUP 2 BRC Sires Produce and also finishing 3rd in the GROUP 1 JJ Atkins stakes in Brisbane behind 'PRESS STATEMENT'.
At the age of 3, Look To The Stars in the Autumn, was transferred to the stables of David Vandyke after a troublesome Spring. There was some doubt that Look To The Stars could recapture her best form with niggling issues hindering her performances. Trainer David Vandyke is a master at bringing out the best in problem horses and at just her 3rd start under David, Look To The Stars captured the LISTED Princess stakes over 1600m at the Sunshine Coast. Look to the Stars would have just one more start in the GROUP 2 ROSES at Doomben where she finished an unlucky and a close up 5th. With issues continuing to plague Look To The Stars, it was recommended to retire her to stud and thus was placed on the market. Look To The Stars had given her owners many thrills over her 15 start career, winning 3 races, placing on 3 other occasions and collecting $358,400 in stakes earnings - Not bad at all for a $26,000 purchase - BUT, the real return to owners was was about to be realized.
Look To The Stars was recently placed on the market and was sold for an impressive sum of $600,000, her GROUP 2, LISTED and GROUP 1 placing had seen her value shoot from $26,000 at the yearling sales to $600,000. This equates to a whopping 2300% increase on purchase. Simply outstanding!
To complete the 'Rags to Riches' fairy tale - Look To The Stars was purchased by a knight and will be mated later this year to the undefeated champion racehorse of the world 'FRANKEL'.
Frankel was unbeaten in his fourteen-race career and was the highest-rated racehorse in the world from May 2011. In 2010 he defeated a field including Nathaniel and Colour Vision on his debut before winning the Royal Lodge Stakes by ten lengths and the Dewhurst Stakes in which he defeated the Middle Park Stakes winner Dream Ahead. As a three-year-old, he won the Classic 2000 Guineas by six lengths, defeated the outstanding older miler Canford Cliffs in the much-anticipated Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. Frankel extended his unbeaten record in 2012 by winning the Lockinge Stakes, the Queen Anne Stakes and the Sussex Stakes for a second time. In August he was moved up to a mile and a quarter for the first time and won the International Stakes at York. In October he won the Champion Stakes at Ascot, again over a mile and a quarter, following which his retirement from racing was announced. (Frankel pictured below)
The LOOK THE STARS story is truly an amazing tale, it shows that you don't always need to spend huge money on a horse to be hugely successful and also just because you start from humble beginnings, doesn't mean you can't end up mixing with the elite or royalty.
Its been an amazing ride and Darby Racing would like to thank trainers, strappers, vets and all who were involved in getting the best out of our bonny filly.
Most of all, Darby Racing would like to thank and congratulate her owners, for without owners, none of this is possible - Well Done!
We look forward to seeing the progeny of LOOK TO THE STARS in coming years!
