Preferment, a four-time Group One-winning son of Zabeel, returned to his country of birth in 2017 to stand at Brighthill Farm for a fee of $12,500+gst, and his first crop of yearlings will be on offer for the first time at Karaka in January 2020.
A brother to the Gr.3 SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) winner Rezoned, Preferment is a son of the Flying Spur mare Better Alternative, who is a half-sister to the Gr.2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) winner Dances On Waves. It is also the family of the Gr.1 Salinger Stakes (1200m) winner Ancient Song. Sold through Cambridge Stud’s 2013 Premier Sale draft at Karaka, Chris Waller went to $190,000 to secure the colt.
Preferment showed an early return on that investment for the champion Sydney trainer when he broke his maiden with victory in the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). The following season he won the Gr.2 Hill Stakes (1800m) and at his next start claimed top honours in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
In the autumn of 2016, Preferment returned to Flemington to reign supreme in the Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) and then back to Sydney to add the Gr.1 The BMW (2400m) to his imposing record. He retired as the winner of five races and more than $3.6 million in stake earnings.
RACE RECORD
29 Starts 5-4-1 A$3,432,730, HK$0. Champion Stayer in Australia in 2015-16. 5 wins from 2000m to 2500m, A$3,432,730, to 2015-16, Victoria Derby, Gr.1, ATC BMW S., Gr.1, VRC Australian Cup, Gr.1, Turnbull S., Gr.1, ATC Hill S., Gr.2, 2d ATC Rosehill Guineas, Gr.1, Geelong Classic, L, ATC Testa Rossa at Vinery H., More Than Ready P., 3d MRC Grand Hotel Frankston 2YO H., 4th ATC Chipping Norton S., Gr.1, VRC Turnbull S., Gr.1, BRC PJ O’Shea S., Gr.2, NSW Tatt’s RC Chelmsford S., Gr.2, GCTC AD Hollindale S., Gr.2.
