Our Owner of the Month award winner for December is Tim Lillie, owner of Diamonds. We talked to Tim about his involvement in racing and about Diamonds.
Tim has been around horses for many years, initially with eventing and equestrian horses. His first venture into racing was with the speedy but ill-fated Written Tycoon filly Magic Missy.
Tim was particularly impressed with the horses produced by Woodside Park Stud which led to him purchasing Diamonds. His commitment to thoroughbred racing has increased and he now owns, or part owns, around 30 racehorses with a long term interest in breeding, thus most of his more recent acquisitions have been fillies. An obvious aim here is to gain black type with those fillies to increase the value of the progeny.
Diamonds has certainly helped with that winning two listed races, the City of Marion and the Xmas Handicap on the trot before venturing to Queensland for a tilt at the Magic Millions fillies and mares race. Trained by Chris Bieg, Diamonds has now won eight races with another 9 minor placing for earnings of $380,000.
Diamonds is by Rich Enuff out of a Redoute’s Choice mare Balsamico. The dam was lightly raced winning 1 from twelve, in the breeding barn she has also produced Dosh Dash (by Dash for Cash) dam of Group 3 winner Written Dash (by Written Tycoon); Despacito (by All American) winner of 3 races and over $150,000; but Diamonds is definitely the standout.
The granddam Laudemio (by Alzao) won the listed Cadbury Roses Stakes and has also left Admirelle (by General Nediym) who is the dam of six-time group winner Sizzling (by Snitzel), his wins include the Group 1 T.J. Smith Classic and as a stallion has sired a group winner in Secret Blaze; Trafalgar Miss (by War Pass) producer of stakes winner Bonaparte (by Pierro).
Laudemio was bred by SA based Vintage Bloodstock and is from the might Estate Label ( by Without Fear) dam of two other group winners, namely Loving Cup (by Bluebird) a three time listed winner and Vintage Dance (by Salmon Leap) herself dam of the five time listed winner Pittance (by Snippets).
Diamonds looks to have a bright future both on the track and in the breeding barn and we look forward to more success from her and from Tim’s other horses.