Bright Future for Private Life
24 May 2024
A smart performance at Warwick Farm on Wednesday hinted at bigger and better things next season for well-bred colt Private Life (Written Tycoon), who is part-owned by Pencarrow principal Sir Peter Vela.
The Chris Waller-trained two-year-old lined up for the second start of his career in Wednesday’s A$100,000 Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1100m), having finished fourth as a hot favourite on debut at Canterbury on May 1. He took a big step forward second-up and cleared maiden ranks in impressive style.
Ridden by James McDonald, Private Life sat in third place for most of the journey and was briefly held up in a pocket soon after rounding the home turn. But then McDonald muscled his way into clear air in between the two leaders, and Private Life produced a high-class turn of foot to win going away. The margin had grown to a length and a half by the time he reached the finish line.
“That was a good ride by James,” Waller said. “He pushed his way out, and then the horse has won like a good horse.
“He will probably go out now. It's getting a bit late to go to Queensland. We wanted to give him two runs as a two-year-old to get the experience, then return as a three-year-old and grow and develop.
“He could be a Guineas horse in the spring.”
Private Life’s two-start juvenile campaign has yielded a win and A$62,850 in stakes for a syndicate of owners comprising Sir Peter Vela, Coolmore, Wynaus, Westerberg, Joe Poulin, Lynque, Woppitt Bloodstock, Peachester Lodge, Rockingham Thoroughbreds, Mr K MacLennan, Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd and Meridian Bloodstock.
Private Life was bred by Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Planette Thoroughbred and Belford Productions Pty Ltd. He was bought for A$650,000 as a yearling.
He is a son of outstanding stallion Written Tycoon, who is the leading sire of two-year-olds on both sides of the Tasman this season.
The dam of Private Life is Aliyana Tilde (Snitzel), who won four races including the Group Three Epona Stakes (1900m) and also placed in the Group One Australian Oaks (2400m), Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Sydney Cup (3200m).
Aliyana Tilde is the dam of four winners from five foals to race, while her unraced daughter Double Deel (Dundeel) has produced the Listed winner and Group One Queensland Oaks (2200m) placegetter Noah ‘N’ A Deel (Maurice).