Baker impressed by Dundeel’s impact

One man impressed by the news around Dundeel this week is Cambridge trainer Murray Baker.

In the same week Dundeel’s first progeny have made an impact in the sale ring, his younger sibling has opened her winning account in country New South Wales.

Forreel, a Nom Du Jeu 4-yearold half sister to the champion, had her first Australian start over 1300m at Scone on Sunday, claiming a narrow win for new trainer Bjorn Baker.

She was formerly in New Zealand with Baker’s father Murray and training partner Andrew Forsman. Baker senior prepared 2013 ATC Derby winner Dundeel and also Nom Du Jeu in the 2008 edition. Dundeel, who won six Group I races, was retired to Arrowfield Stud after his victory in the 2014 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Bjorn Baker will train a $900,000 Dundeel colt bought at the Magic Millions sale last week. His father still reveres the talent Dundeel, or It’s A Dundeel as he was known in Australia, possessed.

‘‘He had all the attributes to be a top sire,’’ Baker said. "He had such a turn of foot and natural speed.

‘‘He was the only horse in history to win all four 3-year-old Group I races – the Spring Championship Stakes, Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and ATC Derby.

‘‘As a 4-year-old he won two of the highest rated Group I weightfor-age races in Australia, the Underwood and the Queen Elizabeth.’’

After the results at the Magic Millions, Baker is disappointed he hasn’t bred a couple of mares to his former top liner.

‘‘To breed to him I needed a top mare but I didn’t have one,’’ he said. ‘‘I tried to buy a couple of mares in Melbourne but I kept getting out-bid – it’s a bit of a shame really. But I know I’m going to get some to train which will be good.’’

They are likely to come from Murray Anderson who bred and co-owned Dundeel and the owner of Forreel who won the A$20,000 maiden in her Australian debut.

Anderson also sent Sewreel from the Cambridge stable to Baker’s son to be prepared. The New Zealand black-type performer ran third on debut in Australia in a Group III race at Gosford last week.

Sewreel won four races in New Zealand Including the Listed Oaks Prelude.

‘‘I’ve seen quite a bit of his young stock and they are very athletic like him,’’ he said. ‘‘They are go-forward types of horses and they seem to be a good size.’’

Dundeel won eight races and over $6 million in stakes.