From Smallest to Fastest
The smallest foal born at one of the most successful thoroughbred nurseries in Victoria has made the field for the 2016 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes and even more exciting for her lucky owners is that after the barrier draw this morning she’s in with a chance!.
The Robbie Griffiths trained Stryker filly Miss Nymeria has earned a slot in the field following her fast finishing third to Samara Dancer in the Group II MRC Blue Diamond Prelude and will jump from gate three with Ryan Maloney to ride.
The dashing grey was having just her second start in the Prelude after a close up sixth on debut in the Group II MRC Blue Diamond Preview.
In her only two starts, Miss Nymeria has drawn near the outside, so a good gate may well bring her right into the picture, which would be a great result for Toby Liston of Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.
Liston bred Miss Nymeria in partnership with his great friend and client Steve Gardiner from Perth and she is the first horse they have bred together.
Grey in colour like her mother Typhoon Tilly, Miss Nymeria is the first foal from her unplaced dam, who is a half-sister to dual Group I winning sprinter Typhoon Zed.
Early signs that the filly might be a future star of the track were not apparent!
“Miss Nymeria was the smallest foal born on the farm,” Toby Liston revealed. “She only weighed 41kgs when she was born. “When trying to catch her as a foal she would walk right under her mother and she was always a character and naughty, like her mother. Never nasty, just naughty.
“After mares foal down, we usually walk them to a small confined yard with the foal trailing behind, this foal was so small that Ryan Arnell (now owner of Stonehouse Thoroughbreds) carried her to her yard on the day this photo was taken.
“They were all laughing because I bred her myself, and to get the smallest foal on the farm and a filly as well… everyone thought I had been brushed with the unlucky stick.”
Too small to sell as a weanling, Miss Nymeria was held back and offered at the Inglis VOBIS Gold Yearling Sale where she caught the eye of Robbie Griffiths, who bought her for $20,000.
“She had grown and developed and was actually popular at the sale, although the only person to bid was Robbie Griffiths,” Liston recalled. “He has been the best supporter of Super VOBIS for the past decade in Victoria and always buys nice affordable horses that perform.
“Robbie loves buying greys, and after being beaten on three greys at previous sales, he was happy to secure her. When I congratulated him on purchasing her, he said that he had no owners and would I keep a share… I said sure why not and kept 10% for myself, making my three year investment in breeding her a financial failure, however that's the breeding game. The racetrack is what counts.”
Breeding and trading thoroughbreds is the lifeblood of all commercial breeders and while Miss Nymeria is now in a position for huge potential upside, her dam is no longer with Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.
“I sold Typhoon Tilly (in foal to Unencumbered) and the full sister to Miss Nymeria on Bloodstock.com.au for not much as it turns out,” Liston reflected. “She had a nice Unencumbered colt for the new owners and is in foal to Rubick, so they will certainly make some money out of the package, which is an outstanding result for them.
“We wish them all the best and hope Miss Nymeria turns out a champion. “I have sold two other mares online that later produced stakes winners - Strykum and Exclusive Lass - the best thing is the farm is producing winners and supporting our stallions in the process.”
Three Bridges Thoroughbreds will present a draft of 21 youngsters for the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale starting this Sunday including three by Miss Nymeria’s sire Stryker. Click here to see them.
With yearlings on parade at Victoria’s number one bloodstock showcase and a runner in the Blue Diamond, Toby Liston is in for a busy and exciting week.
“From a 41kgs weedy foal to a very fast two year old… Miss Nymeria certainly gives hope to most breeders,” Liston concluded.