Redoute's Choice - Racing Career

Racing Career

Redoute's Choice was raced by his breeder, Sri Lankan businessman Muzaffar Ali Yaseen, and trained by Rick Hore-Lacy. On debut, he won the Listed Veuve Cliquot Stakes (1,100 metres) at Caulfield on 20 February 1999. Seven days later, and starting from a wide barrier, he won the prestigious Blue Diamond Stakes (1,200 metres) by two lengths from his future arch-rival, Testa Rossa, whose preparation for the race had been interrupted by a slight injury. Testa Rossa then won the VRC Sires Produce Stakes before a spell, while Redoute's Choice was promoted to favouritism for the Golden Slipper - the world's richest race for two-year-olds - but was scratched the night before the race due to a raised temperature. Sydney gelding Shogun Lodge ultimately started favourite, while the race was won by another Danehill colt, Catbird.

Redoute's Choice made his return as a spring three-year-old in the Manikato Stakes (1,200 metres) at Moonee Valley. In winning this race, Redoute's Choice made it three stakes wins from as many starts, and became a Group One winner at weight-for-age at just his third start. At his next two starts, he was second-last of five behind the outsider Spargo in the Ascot Vale Stakes (1,200 metres) at Flemington and third behind Testa Rossa in the Invitation Stakes (1,400 metres) at Caulfield. Three weeks later, over an extra 200 metres in the Caulfield Guineas, Redoute's Choice defeated Testa Rossa after a dogged battle down the straight, while another future stallion, Commands, finished third. Two weeks later, Redoute's Choice, Testa Rossa, and Commands lined up in the Cox Plate (2,040 metres), but the relatively poor recent record of three-year-olds continued, with all three finishing unplaced, as the field came in at lengthy intervals behind the champion mare Sunline.

In the new year, Redoute's Choice had three further starts - all in Group One races. He began with a second to Miss Pennymoney in the Australia Stakes (1,200 metres) at Moonee Valley, and was well-ridden in beating the same filly in the C F Orr Stakes (1,400 metres) second-up at Caulfield. At his final start, over the same course, he was third behind Testa Rossa and Miss Pennymoney in the Futurity Stakes. Redoute's Choice retired with career earnings of A$1,567,850.

During this time, Arrowfield Stud had bought a significant share in the colt, and he entered stud later in the year.