(from left), Phill Cataldo, Matt Cumani, Buzz Williams (Little Avondale Stud), Luca and Sara Cumani and Sam Williams (Little Avondale)
Sarah Ebbett
History played a major part in the Cumani family's purchase during the second session of the Premier Sale at Karaka on Tuesday.
They secured a daughter of O'Reilly for $220,000 out of Little Avondale Stud's draft with the filly's pedigree - she is out of the English-bred Green Desert mare Knocknacrea – dear to their hearts.
"If you look back you see Horatia and Markofdistinction, who were trained by my father Luca," said Matt Cumani, who has recently established a training base of his own at Ballarat.
Markofdistinction won the Gr.1 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes while Horatio won the Gr.3 Matchmaker Stakes.
"This filly is a cracking type and the difference with this purchase is that we will be looking at breeding from her later on," Cumani said.
Whether that be in England or Australia is a question for the future as his mother Sara operates Fittocks Stud while her husband Luca has his stables at nearby Newmarket.
With agent Phill Cataldo, Matt Cumani also purchased a son of Tavistock on the first day of the Premier Sale for $250,000 from Lyndhurst Farm's draft. The colt is out of the Volksraad mare Tristraad, a half-sister to the four-time Group One winner Giovana.
Aside from his family experience to call on, Cumani also enjoyed a stint as foreman with champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before branching out on his own.
"OTI have been massive supporters and I've got tried European horses for them and I'd expect to have my first runner in mid to late February," he said.
His parents are no strangers to Karaka and they purchased a Road To Rock filly 12 months ago.
"She's with Roger James and he quite likes her so she will race in New Zealand," Cumani said.
The family celebrated New Year together in Australia before attending the Magic Millions Sale and then on to Karaka – "it's just a fantastic complex here," Matt Cumani said. – NZ Racing Desk.
They secured a daughter of O'Reilly for $220,000 out of Little Avondale Stud's draft with the filly's pedigree - she is out of the English-bred Green Desert mare Knocknacrea – dear to their hearts.
"If you look back you see Horatia and Markofdistinction, who were trained by my father Luca," said Matt Cumani, who has recently established a training base of his own at Ballarat.
Markofdistinction won the Gr.1 Ascot Queen Elizabeth II Stakes while Horatio won the Gr.3 Matchmaker Stakes.
"This filly is a cracking type and the difference with this purchase is that we will be looking at breeding from her later on," Cumani said.
Whether that be in England or Australia is a question for the future as his mother Sara operates Fittocks Stud while her husband Luca has his stables at nearby Newmarket.
With agent Phill Cataldo, Matt Cumani also purchased a son of Tavistock on the first day of the Premier Sale for $250,000 from Lyndhurst Farm's draft. The colt is out of the Volksraad mare Tristraad, a half-sister to the four-time Group One winner Giovana.
Aside from his family experience to call on, Cumani also enjoyed a stint as foreman with champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller before branching out on his own.
"OTI have been massive supporters and I've got tried European horses for them and I'd expect to have my first runner in mid to late February," he said.
His parents are no strangers to Karaka and they purchased a Road To Rock filly 12 months ago.
"She's with Roger James and he quite likes her so she will race in New Zealand," Cumani said.
The family celebrated New Year together in Australia before attending the Magic Millions Sale and then on to Karaka – "it's just a fantastic complex here," Matt Cumani said. – NZ Racing Desk.