FEATURE
Interestingly, through the Grahame Begg trained Lunar Flare, an ironic winner of the 2022 VRC The Bart Cummings (G2) at Flemington on Turnbull Stakes Day given the Cummings – Peters connection, we have seen a return of the famous Peters colours. This has come about via part-owner John Valmorbida who is married to Michelle, a daughter of Vic and Lila Peters. The Peters and Valmorbida families have been long- time friends for many years. Lunar Flare is also raced by Frank Kraps and long-time successful owner and Melbourne real estate authority, Jack Bongiorno. From a breeding perspective, Taj Rossi was by Matrice, a high-class sprinter miler which would win the 1956 SAJC Goodwood Hcp as well as the 1956 VRC Cantala Stakes and the 1956 and 1957 VRC Linlithgow Stakes. He sired 24 stakes-winners including Taj Rossi, Manihi, Toltrice, Pago Pago and La Trice – all high-class performers. From Dark Queen (by Coronation Boy), this is a thoroughbred family which would hold
brown circles would become synonymous with quality throughout the late 1960s, 1970s and early 80s. They mainly raced horses in their own name and found their way into the top echelon of races across the country. There was a Cummings connection throughout. Feature races were not unfamiliar to the Peters-owned horses. The Peters would later establish Fulmen Park on the Mornington Peninsula named after their first racehorse, a winner of eight stakes races including the Brisbane and Adelaide Cups. Taj Rossi was retired to stud in 1975 and leased to Spendthrift Farm, Lexington, Kentucky in the US for a couple of seasons. He would return to stand at Dr Phil Redman’s Turangga Farm in Scone, NSW with the best progeny to include Taj Eclipse (1983 VRC Oaks) and Taj Quillo (1986 VRC Gadsden Stakes) both raced by the Peters family. He’d also sire the popular 1989 AJC Doncaster Hcp winner, Merimbula Bay. He died at the relatively young age of 15 in 1985.
2023 marks the 50-year anniversary since the
son of Matrice dominated the
Melbourne racetracks. Arguably , we are yet to see his like again.
Roy Higgins atop Taj Rossi just pipped Leica Lover at the post in the 1973 Victoria Derby. (News Ltd/Newspix)
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INSIDE HEADQUARTERS ISSUE 2 2023
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