Planet Five Arrives

| Breeding | Tue 30 August, 2011

Western Australian breeding ranks have been given a significant boost by the news that Group II winning sprinter Planet Five (USA) has arrived safely at Touchstone Farm from Europe.

Planet Five is by one of the world's true breed shapers in Storm Cat who won 7 Champion 2YO Sire titles along with Champion Sire honours in the USA, Great Britain, Ireland, and France.

"And the Champion tag doesn't end there," said Touchstone Farm owner Glenn Martin. "He is also out of a Champion mare, from a Champion sire's family and beat Europe's Champion Sprinter over 1000m on the racetrack."

Noted as one of the great sires of sires, Storm Cat sons have enjoyed success in Australia through the deeds of Tale Of The Cat (70 plus stakes winners world wide) and more recently Statue Of Liberty, sire of star sprinter Hay List.

"Tale Of The Cat and Statue Of Liberty were the best bred and performed sons of Storm Cat to come to Australia until Planet Five," said Martin. "This horse has to rank right up there with them on pedigree and performance."

Listed as the Top 2YO filly of Europe in 2002, the dam of Planet Five is multiple Group 1 winning mare Six Perfections. Winner of the Prix Jaques Le Marois-G1 at Deauville and the Prix Marcel Boussac-G1 at Longchamp, Six Perfections also travelled to the USA where she beat the best males on offer in the Breeders' Cup Mile-G1.

With a pedigree littered with black-type performers, this is the family of multiple Champion Mare and 10-time Group 1 winner Miesque, the dam of Champion Sire Kingmambo.

Himself a triple Group 1 winner, Kingmambo is credited with 80 stakes winners world wide and has produced sire sons such as Henrythenavigator, Dubai Destination and King Cugat.

Trained by legendary French conditioner Pascal Bary, the crowning moment for Planet Five on the racetrack came in the Group 2 Prix Du Gros Chene, run over a straight 1000m at Chantilly.

With European Champion Sprinter Marchand D'Or in the field, Planet Five settled in behind the pace and despite having trouble getting a clear run, burst through a tight gap to hit the front and hold off all challenges.

"This colt has super acceleration and today he was too fast for a very good field of sprinters," commented Bary after the race. "He is an individual who is ageing very well and I think he is at his best on firm ground so there is plenty more for him."

Unfortunately just 2 starts later Planet Five was found to have injured a fetlock, which ended his career after 3 wins from 11 starts.

"This horse gives breeders in Australia the chance to access a truly impressive sprinter with some of the best bloodlines in the world," said Martin. "We are really excited to get him and think he will suit Western Australia perfectly."

Planet Five will stand his first season at a fee of $5,500 plus GST.

Touchstone Farm Release