Home of Jungle Pocket, Honours List, Tuscanos and Durbridge

EXTRAORDINARY value for the 2008 season appears to be the fee of $9,900 (live foal) placed on a world class racehorse of 2001, Japan's Jungle Pocket, for his use at Christine and Terry Nevill's emerging Victorian stronghold, the Avenel located Hollylodge Thoroughbreds.

The Nevills have been entrusted with Jungle Pocket following the blocking of his transfer to New Zealand owing to the equine influenza outbreak in NSW and Queensland. Doing his quarantine in Australia, he had shuttled in the past three years from the Japanese breeding giant Shadai to one of New Zealand's leading studs, Rich Hill, Matamata, and is already indicating in both countries that he is transmitting his class on.

Jungle Pocket will be the fastest horse over a mile and a half (approximately 2400m) available Australia, registering 2.23.8 for this journey in defeating older horses in winning one of the world's most prestigious international races, the Group1 Japan Cup, at his final appearance at three in 2001. Runner up was the previous year's Cup winner, the Japanese product T.M. Opera, while other runners included visitors from Ireland, America, Germany and Brazil.

The Japan Cup victory capped a great year at three for Jungle Pocket, a 16.1 hands bay representative of the Grey Sovereign male line sire Tony Bin and Dance Charmer, a daughter of Zabeel's maternal grandsire Nureyev. It was a year in which he turned in good performances in all his six starts, wins in two of Japan's most prestigious Group1 races, the Japan Cup and Derby, and also in a Group 3 event, thirds in the Group1 Japanese Two Thousand Guineas and a Group 2 and a fourth in their St Leger equivalent.

Jungle Pocket had been one Japan's leading juveniles the previous year, running three times for two wins, one of them a Group 3 event, and a second in another at this level. He wound up his 13-race career with two seconds in major races, one of them in the Group1 Emperor's Cup, at four.

For his exploits at three, Jungle Pocket was accoladed Japan Horse of the Year and Champion 3YO and recognised by the authoritative England based Timeform people as equal third best of the age group in the world with a high annual rating of 131. It was the same rating that his sire Tony Bin was awarded for his efforts at three in1987, a year he ran away with the Group1 Premio Del Jockey Club in Italy and finished second in the championship of Europe, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at France's Longchamp.

A grandson of Kalamoun, sire of Kenmare and grandsire of Jeune, Tony Bin attoned for the Arc loss by taking the race at four, a year he won five races and laid claim to being the best horse in the world. It was one in which he was sold to Japanese interests and ended his career with a fifth in the Japan Cup.

Retired to stud in Japan, he has been a distinguished sire for over a decade, being Champion in1994, runner up five times and third in three years. He had the misfortune to be a contemporary of Sunday Silence, otherwise his stature as a sire assuredly would have been even greater.

Jungle Pocket has the best of both hemispheres in his maternal breeding, his American bred dam being the result of the mating of Nureyev with near champion filly Skillful Joy, a daughter of two times American Champion Nodouble (by exported Star Kingdom Australian Horse of the Year Noholme) and from Skillful Miss, a winner by Daryl's Joy, a New Zealand bred winner in Australia of the Victoria Derby and Cox Plate and of Group 1 and 2 races in America. Jungle Pocket's grandam is inbred to Stardust (by Hyperion) through two of his sons, Star Kingdom and Stunning, sire of Daryl's Joy.

Already sire of three stakes winners in Japan, Jungle Pocket has got off to a promising start as a sire also from his use in New Zealand. His first crop were 2-year-olds of 2006-07 and the only four to race to date include Lady Sakura (two wins and a Group 3 fourth at two; already a Listed placegetter at three) and Classic Pocket (two starts a two for a win at Randwick and a debut fourth at Rosehill; a trial winner Randwick).

The leading New Zealand Second Crop Sire at their Premier Karaka Sale this year, averaging $117,917 and having a top price of $360,000, Jungle Pocket can be accessed at Hollylodge in Victoria by contacting the Nevills on (03) 5796 2495, mobile 0417 011 896 or email hollylodge@bigpond.com.

Race Record (In Japan)

Age    Starts    Wins    2nds    3rds

Racing Highlights

At 2 years: Sapporo Junvenile S., Jpn-3 ( 1800m beating Tagano Teio and TM Ocean), Sapporo S. (1800m), 2d Hanshin Radio Tanpa Hai Juvenile S., Jpn-3 (2000m to Agnes Tachyon and beating Kurofune*).

At 3 years: Japan Cup, Gr.1 (2400m beating TM Opera O and Narita Top Road). Japan Derby, Jpn-1 (2400m beating Dantsu Flame and Dancing Color), Tokyo Kyodo News Service Club S., Jpn-3 (1800m beating Pregio and Sweet'n Bitter), 3d Japan Two Thousand Guineas, Jpn-1 (2000m to Agnes Tachyon and Dantsu Flame), Sapporo Memorial, Jpn-2 (2000m to Air Eminem and Flight Commander), 4 th Japan St Leger, Jpn-1 (3000m).

At 4 Years: 2d Kyoto Emperor's Cup (Spring Tenno Sho), Jpn-1 (3200m to Manhattan Café and beating Narita Top Road), Hanshin Daishoten, Jpn-2 (3000m to Narita Top Road and beating Erimo Brian).

BY TONY BIN

Champion Japan Sire in 1994, second in 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, third in 1996, 1997.

Sire of 30 SW

• JUNGLE POCKET (98c, Nureyev, Nodouble). 2001 Japan Horse of the Year. Japan Cup, Gr.1, Japan Derby, Jpn-1.
• VEGA (90f, Northern Dancer, Tom Fool). 1993 Champion 3YO Filly in Japan. Japan One Thousand Guineas, Jpn-1, Japan Oaks, Jpn-1.
• AIR GROOVE (93f, Northern Taste, Guersant). 1997 Japan Horse of the Year. Japan Oaks, Jpn-1, Tokyo Emperor's Cup (Autumn), Jpn-1, 2d Japan Cup, Gr.1-twice.
• SAKURA CHITOSE O (90c, Northern Taste, Quadrangle). Tokyo Emperor's Cup (Autumn), Jpn-1, Nakayama Memorial, Jpn-2.
• WINNING TICKET (90c, Maruzensky, Tesco Boy). Japan Derby, Jpn-1, Kyoto St Leger Trial S., Jpn-2, Nakayama Hochi Hai Yayoi S., Jpn-2.
• TELEGNOSIS (99c, Northern Taste, Secretariat). Tokyo NHK Mile Cup, Jpn-1.
• NORTH FLIGHT (90f, Hitting Away, Porterhouse). Kyoto Mile Championship S., Jpn-1, Tokyo Yasuda Memorial, Jpn-1.
• LADY PASTEL (98f, Blushing Groom, Dr Fager). Japan Oaks, Jpn-1, Nakayama Himba S., Jpn-3, 3d Kyoto Shuka S., Jpn-1.
• OFFSIDE TRAP (91c, Hospitality, Moutiers). Tokyo Emperor's Cup (Autumn), Jpn-1, Niigata Memorial, Jpn-3.
• AIR THULE (97f, Lyphard, Royal Ski). Hanshin Fillies Special, Jpn-2, 2d Deauville Prix Maurice de Gheest, Gr.1.
• EMOCION (95c, Northern Taste, Big Spruce). Kyoto Memorial, Jpn-2.
• MAQUEREAU (97c, Northern Dancer, Tom Fool). Kyoto Memorial, Jpn-2.
• SAKURA VICTORIA (99f, Sakura Yutaka O, Maruzensky). Kawasaki Kanto Oaks, Jpn-3.
• SIDEWINDER (98c, Afleet, Danzig). Kyoto Kimpai, Jpn-3, Kyoto Keihan Hai, Jpn-3.
• AIR DUBLIN (91c, Nijinsky, Key to the Mint). TV Tokyo Hai Aoba S., Jpn-3, 2d Japan Derby, Jpn-1, 3d Japan St Leger, Jpn-1.
• LORD PLATINUM (96c, Seeking the Gold, Northern Dancer). Hakodate Memorial, Jpn-3, 2d Hanshin Sankei Osaka Cup, Jpn-2.
• TOWA TREASURE (97f, Clever Trick, Youth). Niigata Kinen, Jpn-3.
• YUKI VIVACE (92f, Maruzensky, Bounteous). Hanshin Tulip S., Jpn-3, 2d Japan Oaks, Jpn-1.
• LONG KAIUN (93c, Hard Ridden, Die Hard). Tokyo Tanabata S., Jpn-3.
• MISUZU CHARDON (95c, Bravest Roman, Sedan). Kokura Grand Prix, Jpn-3, 2d Nakayama Nikkan Sports Sho Gold Cup, Jpn-3.

1st dam

• DANCE CHARMER, by Nureyev. Unraced. Dam of four named foals, all raced, two winners, inc:-
• JUNGLE POCKET (c. by Tony Bin). Subject horse.
• CASANOVA DANDY (c. by Tony Bin). 2 wins at 1800m, 2000m, Tokyo Benibana Sho.

2nd dam

• SKILLFUL JOY, by Nodouble. 8 wins-4 at 2, US$792,427, Del Mar Debutante S., Gr.2, Santa Anita Linda Vista H., Gr.3, Hollywood Starlet S., L, Hollywood Senorita S., L, 2d Santa Anita Santa Susana S., Gr.1, Oaklawn Fantasy S., Gr.1, Santa Anita Santa Ynez S., Gr.2, Anoakia S., Gr.3, La Brea S., L, California Oaks, L, 3d Hollywood Honeymoon H., Gr.2, Del Mar Oaks, Gr.2, Santa Anita El Encino S., Gr.3, Del Mar Chula Vista H., Gr.3, Bay Meadows Hillsborough H., L. Dam of 10 named foals, 6 to race, 4 winners, inc:- Magic Level. Winner in USA. Sire. Silica. Winner at 5f in GB. Producer. Rebelano. Winner at 2, 4th Meadowlands Miss Liberty S., L.

3rd dam

• SKILLFUL MISS, by Daryl's Joy. 2 wins in USA. Half-sister to WEDGE SHOT, EXIMIOUS, PITCHING WEDGE, Polly N (dam of MOTIVITY), Excellently (dam of PRECISIONIST). Dam of 7 foals, all raced, 6 winners, inc:-
• SKILLFUL JOY (Nodouble). 8 wins. See above.

4th dam

• POLINISS, by Greek Game. 4 wins, 2d Hollywood Nursery S., L. Half-sister to Nocturnal. Dam of 14 foals, 13 to race, 12 winners, inc:-
• WEDGE SHOT (Crozier). 3 wins-2 at 2, Belmont Futurity S., Gr.1.
• EXIMIOUS (Crozier). 7 wins, Hollywood Railbird S., Gr.3. Producer.
• PITCHING WEDGE (Crozier). 5 wins-1 at 2, Florida Breeders' H., L. Sire. Polly N. 2 wins at 2 in USA. Dam of-
• MOTIVITY (Crozier). 8 wins-2 at 2, Bay Meadows Atherton S., L, 2d Hollywood Juvenile Championship S., Gr.2. Polly's Journey. 2 wins in USA. Dam of-
• SUNSHINE JOURNEY (Florida Sunshine). 4 wins-1 at 2, US$170,829, Woodbine Valedictory H., Can-3. Charming Polly. Winner in USA. Dam of-
• CHARPEAL (Valid Appeal). 5 wins, Monmouth New Era S., L. Brown's Heidi. Raced once. Dam of-
• IT'S PLAIN TO SEE (Plain Dealing). 7 wins-2 at 2, Evangeline Lafayette Futurity, L. Wandle. Winner in USA. Dam of- Agile Princess. Unraced. Dam of-
• JOUSTING MATCH (Medieval Man). 20 wins, US$222,358, Suffolk Bruce G Smith Memorial H., L.
• BETTER CHOICE (Variety Road). 14 wins-2 at 2-to 2002, Les Bois Park Boise River Festival Derby, L. Salient Feature. Unraced. Dam of-
• JUDITH'S WILD ONE (Once Wild). 6 wins-3 at 2, US$166,706, Woodbine Colin S., Can-2. Excellently. Raced twice. Dam of-
• PRECISIONIST (Crozier). Top colt on The 1986 USA 4YO+ Free H. Champion Sprinter. 20 wins-3 at 2, US$3,485,400, Breeders' Cup Sprint S., Gr.1, Hollywood Californian S., Gr.1. Precise Vision. 2 wins in USA. Dam of-
• INSIGHT TO COPE (Copelan). 11 wins-3 at 2, US$264,714, River Downs American Beauty S., L, 2d Gulfstream First Lady H., Gr.3-twice. Producer. Excellent Jet. Unplaced. Dam of-
• SIR BRIAN'S SWORD (Sword Dance). 5 wins-2 at 2-from 7f to 9f, US$236,029, to 2002, Hialeah Citation S., L, 2d Monmouth Jersey Derby, Gr.3.